The Ostrom Family Adventures

(And some medical updates)

We found a bit of a rhythm this week I think. Leif had a mild cold but survived (and thrived) in the 2nd week of school. They have a lot more focus on art and he is finding he might be an ok artist after all.

They did self portraits including some of their favorite things.

Mason and I were able to join some new friends from my work at lunch on Wednesday which was lovely.

Work has been really interesting, I’m learning more about the unique medical needs here in NZ – specifically amongst the Maori and Pacific Islanders. There truly is a genetic predisposition for rapid anaphylaxis, and years of missed Strep throat cases has led to one of the highest populations with Rheumatic heart disease. I’ve also seen the worst cases of infected eczema and impetigo (“school sores” here) that I have ever seen.

There was a night when I saw a beautiful 4 year old in a princess dress that mum brought in for a “rash.” When she showed me her legs it truly looked like quarter-sized barnacles and multiple little abscesses around her legs. The barnacles were huge thick scabs that mum had not been sure how to care for after she tried soaking one off and it caused bleeding when the gauze she put on it wet pulled the whole thing off a day or so later.

The next family of 2 little kids both had multiple little abscesses and scabs on their legs and torsos as well. And I’ve seen scores of them since then.

The New Zealand formulary or medical counsel found that topical antibiotics don’t truly show much benefit so there is absolutely no neosporin, bacitracin or mupirocin to be found. The research is there backing this up, but clinically, something needs to change. Medihoney (Manuka honey thickened into a cream) is the best we’ve got, but it’s expensive.

Here is a link to an article with some photos of what infected eczema looks like if interested.

**Disclaimer** don’t look up or click on skin condition photos unless you are really really certain you don’t mind seeing it. This one is not too bad. 😉

https://www.healthcentral.com/condition/eczema/infected-eczema

I’ve also seen true and full blown chicken pox again, which I hadn’t seen in about 10 years (yes, I am now old enough to say that) 😳.

Some of the fun terms I’m not used to hearing in the US, but hear frequently here are “dysentery, turns, fits, bowel motions, spewing (this one makes me think of Garth from Wayne’s world every time). There are more, but I may have waited too long to write them and they are sounding normal to me now.

Leif is learning more Te Reo Maöri at school which is awesome. He is working on writing and saying his Pepeha, which is a formal introduction of your identity – it includes where you are from – including your land, mountain etc, your people – your tribe (Iwi), ancestors (whakapapa) and your Whanau (family and those connected to you).

His school starts each day with a Karakia – a morning prayer and blessing for the day in Te Reo so he is working on learning that as well. It’s so cool to hear him talk about these things and be excited about it. He is still super into mountain biking and doing some amazing tricks on the bike and the trucking classes at Project Air.

He wanted me to post this video from the Tauranga Jump park he and I went to this weekend. It’s crazy the air he is getting as well as the confidence!

Valentine’s Day is not really a big deal here, which was kind of refreshing from the overly sugared craziness that often happens.

But here is a beautiful gift on my bike ride home from work, that was stunning.

I’ll post again very soon with a full recount of our sunset kayaking trip to see Glowworms. It’s worth the wait and the next post! 🥰