Wow, it seems like forever since I have blogged, but don't worry I am still alive and doing well! So, fasten your seatbelts folks, and let me get you up to speed on life in Honduras!
Since the new year, things have started to pick up around the clinic. During the month of January, we have had 4-5 residents every week working with us int he clinic. We have had a couple visiting doctors as well as a few other volunteers. With the increase of volunteers in the clinic, it has brought with it an increase of patients. Over the past couple weeks we have been seeing 40-65 patients! Fortunately for us (not so fortunate for the patient), it hasn't just been an increase in number of patients, but we have also gotten to see and do some new and interesting things. For instance, we saw a lady with a blood sugar of "hi". Now when this comes up on a glucometer, you know it's bad. "Normal" blood sugar is 60-110; it says "hi" once it's over 600! Over the past few months we have been working to control this lady's diabetes, so it didn't really surprise me all that much. So what did we do for her? I, yes, that would be me, put in an IV...my first ever! Man, did I ever master that IV- got it on my first try! Now this wasn't just any IV start, this was an IV start on a lady that was dehydrated and had no veins....makes for just a bit harder of a stick, but I conquered it none the less! However, I must say, it was probably to her advantage that she couldn't understand us as I was walked through putting in an IV....something about that wouldn't comfort me all that much :p Along with that, we have seen a few results of moto accidents, I have started not one, but two IV's successfully, we are making headway on our upstairs in hopes of opening in April, we are tightening our bootstraps for the boat load of volunteers we are going to be seeing throughout the month of February, plus starting to get out into the community more with health fairs and presentations.
Over the past few weeks we have gone up into the Colonia a few times in order to hold health fairs. During these health fairs we check people's weight (as many/most do not have scales and/or know what they weigh), blood sugar, blood pressure, and screen for HIV. If we run across something that needs further evaluation, we refer them to the clinic, making sure to tell them that if they cannot afford it we will see them anyways. This is often times what holds people back from coming in the first place. Many do not realize that we will see them even if they cannot pay. That is one beauty of the clinic and the excellent health care we provide. Unlike in the states, everyone gets quality health care (at the clinic that is), regardless of their ability to pay and without having worries about insurance. Besides the health fair, we also did a women's health class in the Colonia. Although I did not attend, I hear it was a great success and well accepted....we will definately need to get more of those going.
Last week, we also took a field trip into the Colonia in order to deliver a dozen backpacks and school clothes. There are two families of 8 or 9 living in a house about the size of a nice bathroom maybe. It is unreal what you see when going up into the Colonia--it never ceases to amaze me! 3,000 people living up on the hillside in which they have to walk up steep, steep hills to get to there homes while carrying a small child, propane tank, supplies, food, etc. Many don't have work outside the house and many of the kids do not go to school. What gets me everytime, though, is walking past houses that have cable tv or the number of people that have cell phones and talk on them constantly but can't afford food. What has technology come too? Has it really consumed our life that much that it is more important to us than food and shelter? Sometimes, I think that is definately the case, and it is really quite sad and almost pathetic! Think about all the technology in your life. How do you compare? What are your priorities--the here and now or the cyper, technological "galaxy"?
I know what people are really waiting to hear about is the rumored triathalon I was in. That's right, I was part of a triatholon this past weekend. You didn't know I was training for one? Oh wait, that's because I didn't! haha Yup, cold turkey in the Bay Island Triathalon and my relay team took 1st! While some may not think going cold turkey is all that terrible, let me paint you a little picture. The bike portion (which I did) was 5 miles on hilly terrain. Yes, 14%, 18%, and 20 %, grade hills...for those of you unfamiliar with grading (you're not alone)...but that is practically straight up for all I'm concerned. Apparently "normal" grade for a hill is right around 8%. So yes, these hills covered about a third of the course. The course here on Roatan is one of the top 5 hardest courses....in the world! Future olympic athletes come to compete for points to get them into the olympics. That's right....I was racing with olympic athletes! And to think....they train for this everyday?! Why gave me this crazy idea to enter the triathalon? The triathalon had been postponed from November and there were two girls that were going to do it.....but their biker went home in December. Therefore, I told them last weekend that if they found me a bike, I would bike for them. The day before the race, I checked out the bike that I would be riding. Clipless peddles (meaning your feet are attached to your peddles) that I've never used before, riding on an island full of hills! I rode a little bit of the course on Saturday to "train". The portion that I rode? The relatively easy portion....yet I struggled on the hills. How was I ever going to make it on the most difficult part?! Well, I guess we shall see come race day! The best part of it all?! I didn't have a helmet, so I wore a moped helmet. That's right folks, I went real Roatan fashion.....delayed training, moped helmet.... Look where it got us....first place!
I think that about sums up my life for the past few weeks. Weather is starting to get nicer again; went for a snorkel yesterday and it was quite nice--saw a Baracuda, a few star fish, swam in a school of fish--man was it clear yesterday! Four months are gone, eight months left--time sure is flying, but at the same time, there are days when it seems to move so very slowly.
Until next time,
xoxo
"If someone is too tired to give you a smile, leave one of your own, because no one needs a smile as much as those who have none to give." ~Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Friday, January 7, 2011
Another time, another day...
Another day, another YEAR!! Holy cow, where did the year go?! That's right, in case you missed it, it is now 2011! I guess that calls for a Happy New Years!
What happened this past year? Let me shed some light on that for you. I complete my last semester at CSB/SJU and graduated in May. I applied to and was accepted to volunteer with CMMB for the next year beginning in September. I spent my summer waitressing to help fill in the whole that was created by attending college for four years. I decided that after I complete my year of volunteering, I would go to grad school. In June, I took and passed the NCLEX and became a RN. I backpacked the back country of Philmont Boy Scout Ranch with 4 of my siblings...and we all survived and came back alive (contrary to the thoughts of many)! I took a week long road trip with 3 friends exploring some of the world's largest things and the many statues of Paul Bunyon and friends. I spent the summer hanging out with friends and family to say my final goodbyes as I prepared to move abroad for a year. I moved to Roatan, Honduras and quickly became the charge nurse at Clinica Esperanza. I've become "Doctora" to a multitude of people (even if I just answer a simple medical question for them) :) I experienced 46 straight days of rain and my first hurricane ever! I've transitioned to a life of simplicity and learned what it means to not be on a tight schedule. I've seen God in many new ways and have learned many new things about myself and others. I seen many beautiful sunsets, a full rainbow, and countless numbers of starts. Seeing a cruise ship on a daily basis is no longer something new and unusual. All in all, it's been a great year. I'm glad it took place, and I'm sad to see it done; but I'm sure whatever awaits in the upcoming year has potential to be just as great, if not better!
So what did I do to ring in the new year? Well, 2 CSB/SJU nursing students, Maggie and Jacki, chose to spend their 3 week Christmas vacation volunteering on the mainland of Honduras. Therefore, they decided to come over to Roatan to visit over New Years! New Years Eve, we headed down to West End to meet up with some of the other people that came over with them. Bryan and the West End Players, just about the only band on the island, was playing down on the beach/road side and having a street party to help bring in the new year. Therefore, we hung out around there listening to the music and trying not to fall asleep as we all continually yawned. Once midnight hit, there were fireworks to be seen. Alright, we made it to midnight, now lets head home! I know, we are lame, but such is the life. Upon arriving back home, we heard fireworks, gunshots, music, and pot banging, as the celebrations continued. New Years Day we ventured up to the clinic to complete a dressing change of a lady that had a skin graft done on her leg after being in a car accident. From the time we started changing it 2 weeks ago, to now, it has really come a long way-- it's so neat to see the progression of healing! Following that, we toured a family around the clinic and then headed across the street to catch the end of the dolphin show....what a treat! The afternoon was spent walking to West End in the sunshine and relaxing on the beach soaking up sun, while all the rest of you back home were in the midst of a blizzard. I'm terribly sorry! (Not really....just slightly jealous!)
Not much is new in around the clinic since last time. Over the holiday season it has been kind of slow because Dr. Rafael is on vacation until Monday, so we only had Dr. Raymond, a resident, and a med student to see patients. Therefore, we were only seeing 20-25 patients a day instead of our typical 40 patients a day. Now one would think with less patients, we would get done much earlier--nope! guess again! Like Miss Peggy has said, we operate out of a box: if there is a lot of work to be done, they move through patients faster; if there is little work to be done, they move through them slower. No getting done early for us! Within the next few weeks and for the next month or two, things should start to pick up around the clinic and I am sure there will be many more stories to be told. Not to worry, I will keep you posted :)
xoxo
What happened this past year? Let me shed some light on that for you. I complete my last semester at CSB/SJU and graduated in May. I applied to and was accepted to volunteer with CMMB for the next year beginning in September. I spent my summer waitressing to help fill in the whole that was created by attending college for four years. I decided that after I complete my year of volunteering, I would go to grad school. In June, I took and passed the NCLEX and became a RN. I backpacked the back country of Philmont Boy Scout Ranch with 4 of my siblings...and we all survived and came back alive (contrary to the thoughts of many)! I took a week long road trip with 3 friends exploring some of the world's largest things and the many statues of Paul Bunyon and friends. I spent the summer hanging out with friends and family to say my final goodbyes as I prepared to move abroad for a year. I moved to Roatan, Honduras and quickly became the charge nurse at Clinica Esperanza. I've become "Doctora" to a multitude of people (even if I just answer a simple medical question for them) :) I experienced 46 straight days of rain and my first hurricane ever! I've transitioned to a life of simplicity and learned what it means to not be on a tight schedule. I've seen God in many new ways and have learned many new things about myself and others. I seen many beautiful sunsets, a full rainbow, and countless numbers of starts. Seeing a cruise ship on a daily basis is no longer something new and unusual. All in all, it's been a great year. I'm glad it took place, and I'm sad to see it done; but I'm sure whatever awaits in the upcoming year has potential to be just as great, if not better!
So what did I do to ring in the new year? Well, 2 CSB/SJU nursing students, Maggie and Jacki, chose to spend their 3 week Christmas vacation volunteering on the mainland of Honduras. Therefore, they decided to come over to Roatan to visit over New Years! New Years Eve, we headed down to West End to meet up with some of the other people that came over with them. Bryan and the West End Players, just about the only band on the island, was playing down on the beach/road side and having a street party to help bring in the new year. Therefore, we hung out around there listening to the music and trying not to fall asleep as we all continually yawned. Once midnight hit, there were fireworks to be seen. Alright, we made it to midnight, now lets head home! I know, we are lame, but such is the life. Upon arriving back home, we heard fireworks, gunshots, music, and pot banging, as the celebrations continued. New Years Day we ventured up to the clinic to complete a dressing change of a lady that had a skin graft done on her leg after being in a car accident. From the time we started changing it 2 weeks ago, to now, it has really come a long way-- it's so neat to see the progression of healing! Following that, we toured a family around the clinic and then headed across the street to catch the end of the dolphin show....what a treat! The afternoon was spent walking to West End in the sunshine and relaxing on the beach soaking up sun, while all the rest of you back home were in the midst of a blizzard. I'm terribly sorry! (Not really....just slightly jealous!)
Not much is new in around the clinic since last time. Over the holiday season it has been kind of slow because Dr. Rafael is on vacation until Monday, so we only had Dr. Raymond, a resident, and a med student to see patients. Therefore, we were only seeing 20-25 patients a day instead of our typical 40 patients a day. Now one would think with less patients, we would get done much earlier--nope! guess again! Like Miss Peggy has said, we operate out of a box: if there is a lot of work to be done, they move through patients faster; if there is little work to be done, they move through them slower. No getting done early for us! Within the next few weeks and for the next month or two, things should start to pick up around the clinic and I am sure there will be many more stories to be told. Not to worry, I will keep you posted :)
xoxo
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