Some Questions I've Been Asked.........

How many cases did the group do? 65 Major cases and 25 "lumps n bump.

How did you sleep? I slept much better than I had anticipated. We were told to bring ear plugs because there would definitely be snoring from the men's side and the wall that separated the men's sleeping quarters from the women's didn't go all the way to the ceiling. The week before our team arrived, a construction team had completed that wall so the snoring wasn't so much of an issue. We also had a large floor fan running all night long which drowned out most of the outside noise (roosters, parrots, etc). I also had my little noise maker running through the night as well.





How was the food? You know, the food was really pretty good. There were 3 Honduras ladies who came in to cooked our meals. They were closely supervised by the lady who started the organization and she had taught them how to prepare the food and it be safe. There was only one meal that I really wasn't sure what I was eating and that was the last night we were there. They told me the name of the meat we were eating but I can't remember what it was called. It looked like meatloaf with a boiled egg in the middle. Very different. Other than that, we had baked chicken, pork chops, eggs, bacon, breakfast casserole, quesadilla's, and the list goes on and on. We had fruit with every meal and the fruit was very good as well. They did make some type of bread pudding a few nights for dessert ---- it was YUMMY!!!!!





Was the rooster there? Yes, the rooster was there along with guineas, parrots, bunny rabbits, turkeys, something that looked like a squirrel, and a honey bear and allot of other "pet" animals they had. I kept a count of the turkeys through the week because I was afraid we would have turkey for supper one night :) Which we didn't in case you're wondering. I did hear the rooster and some other animal "screaming" during the night which was very creepy but it didn't keep me awake much. Like I said earlier - we were so tired it wasn't hard to sleep :)



Will you go back? Yes! It is my goal now to go each February. There are two surgical teams that go from Greenville every year. One in February, and one in August. I would love to be able to go on both trips but it is unlikely I will be able to afford it or be able to take that much time off from work.



What are the people like? Everyone I met was so kind. The patients were precious - so appreciative of everything you would do for them. The interpreters we had were awesome. Dr Stoudemyer and his family were precious - they took really good care of us.

How many cases did you do? We did 65 OR cases and 25 "lumps n bumps".

Wilmer

Sometime during the night Sunday or early Monday morning, this sweet little guy was brought in because he had been kicked in the stomach by a horse. They woke Dr Dersch and Dr Rinkliff to evaluate him. They felt he had a surgical problem so they did an exploratory laparotomy. What they found was a bit more than they expected. He had perforated his colon and a rather large worm had squirmed its way out of his colon into his abdomen. He was one sick little fella.

After a couple of days in the hospital the nurse mentioned to Wilmer and his mom that he could take a shower. He was adamantly opposed to the idea - the child had never taken a shower before and was scared to death. He was so afraid it would hurt. His mother talked with him through out the day and convinced him to take a shower with the help of the nurse. Pam said that after he got in the shower, she washed his hair and turned him around to face the water and that he just stood there with his little face toward the water and just let it run over him. He was amazed at the shower and enjoyed it after all. Her telling the story was so heart breaking. I have always known that we Americans take so much for granted but never knew the extent of what we take for granted. Can you imagine NEVER having taken a shower???????

Pam (recovery room nurse) also sent money with one of the missionaries to buy Wilmer a pair of shoes. He wore them the entire time he was in the hospital. He was so proud of those shoes.

Day 7 - Friday - Feb 26

We were able to sleep a little bit later today since it was our free day. I woke up again with my eyes swollen from sleeping so hard. Many had swollen feet as well from being on them so much during the week. We ate breakfast and then left for the Valley of Angels around 9 a.m. It was about 1 1/2 hours ride on bumpy, dirt roads. Again, we passed many animals on the road. The picture below is a herd of cows we passed. All of the shops had pretty much the same things in each one. The only thing I purchased was two hand made leather purses and a wallet. The leather shop was very different from the others and the purses they made were gorgeous. Below is a picture of the men sewing wallets, purses, belts, etc

Shops at Valley of Angels

We were also given the opportunity to purchase hand made pine needle baskets. They were very unique and I bought one of those at the compound. They charge $1 for each hour it takes them to make the basket. Pretty cool!

I'm not sure if these were cows, ox or what but I felt sorry for them. They passed us in the Valley of Angels.

After shopping, we ate lunch at a restaurant that they deemed "safe" to eat at. We were given the choice of steak, chicken, or fish. I chose steak and it was YUMMY!!!! Once we were finished with lunch we headed back to the compound. Most fell asleep on the ride back because we were all totally exhausted from the week so it was a quiet ride back.

Allot of us took a nap once we got back. The hiking group didn't get back for hours and allot of them came limping in with blisters and sunburned necks and faces. Next year I think I'll go hiking. They saw some incredible waterfalls.

The rest of the evening was free time that was spent walking around the compound taking pictures and packing up to leave the next day.

Day 6 - Thursday - Feb 25

Well, I slept so hard Wednesday night that when I woke up my eyes were swollen!!! I seriously look like I had been crying all night! I put a wet, cold clothe on them and that helped them go down but I sure did look pitiful!!!!!

Today was a good day and we actually finished around 6 p.m. I was happy about that because I was totally exhausted!

We cleaned up the hallways of supplies which was a chaotic mess but glad we got that done and over with. We were all so tired.

Dear friend Beth thought it would be a marvelous idea to play a cute little prank on dear old Donna. I go take my shower, come out to my bed, go to put something in my suitcase and what is laying right there on top for me - yes - a gecko!!!!! She had managed to get one of the men to catch one, put it in a Ziploc bag and place it in MY SUITCASE!!!!! Everyone was in on it apparently because the men were outside the women's room door listening for me to scream. I did manage to contain my excitement by only yelling - BETH!!!!!!!!!!!! COME GET IT NOW!!!!!! NOW BETH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GET IT OUT OF MY SUITCASE NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They loved it and have ragged me all week about my fondness to the gecko's.

Day 5 - Wednesday - Feb 24

The power went off and on all day. They do have a generator that would kick on but there was a few seconds delay. Nothing like being in a pitch black room in a strange place. Also had issues with the water today but they are working on fixing that.

We finished around 9 p.m. tonight. Dr Rinkliff was taking anyone who wanted to go out for ice cream. I chose to stay because my feet were hurting so bad. I just wanted to shower, get things ready for the next days cases and go to bed.

I go to get in bed and noticed the curtains were open and the light coming in was really bothering me. I went over to close the curtains and what do I see staring back at me - yep you guessed it - a gecko!!!!!!!!

Day 4 - Tuesday - Feb 23

Today was even crazier. Did the largest hydrocele I have ever seen, hernia repairs, and more ortho. The last case of the day got a bit crazy but went well. We finished around 7:30 p.m.

Totally exhausted I go to take my shower for the night and was then going back to get everything ready for the next days cases. I get in the shower, Beth is in the shower stall next to mine and all of a sudden, the water starts going crazy. It was like taking a shower under a machine gun. I couldn't help but just stand there and laugh hysterically. Beth thought I was messing with the water and doing it on purpose. It was very funny! After being beat to death by the water, I went back over to finish getting things ready for Wednesday. I must have been delirious because John Lee (surgery resident from California) was there trying to help us and he finally looked at me and told me I needed to go to bed that I was out of my mind. I heeded his advise and left them to finish.

They have a little "canteen" type place on the compound that you can buy sodas and ice cream at. I walked over there to get a soda, of course they only speak spanish so I had no idea how much to pay her. I handed her a dollar and she started to give me change. I said "no" and told her to keep it. She said gracias gracias - I can't imagine how much change she was going to give me back. We pay way over a dollar here for a soda. She was very happy with my dollar.

We noticed we are starting to run low on supplies today.

On a very sad note - a lady was to have a open hysterectomy. After opening her up, they discovered she had cancer and couldn't do anything for her. So sad. I felt so sorry for her family and the docs as they had to deliver the news to them. I wonder what could have been offered to her if she were here in the states.

Day 3 - Monday - Feb 22

Ok, today was a very long day and a very crazy day. I believe we quit around 10 p.m. My feet hurt so bad I could cry. We did gallbladders and orthopedic cases. I'm sure some of you know how delighted I am to do ortho cases. I did survive and the doc's survived being stuck with me :)

One of the Stoudemyer boys caught a tarantula and was having allot of fun showing it to everyone. Ugly looking creature :)

By the way - have I mentioned there are gecko's all over the place here!!!!! You'll be eating supper and see one out of the corner of your eye run up the wall or be laying in bed and see one run up the wall. Everyone says "oh, they are harmless, they eat bugs". I'm happy for them but I'd rather not sleep and eat with them.

Day 2 - Sunday - Feb 21

Patients waiting to be evaluated by a surgeon.

Sunday - Breakfast at 7. We attended their church service which started at 9 a.m. It was all in spanish but Dr Dersch's nephew, Matt, interpreted the sermon. At the end of their service, they prayed over our "team". It was really very touching.

After lunch, the docs went to evaluate patients and decide who needed what surgery and get them lined up for the week. We were expecting 120 patients to be seen. They were unable to see all of them so allot were told to return on Monday to be seen in between OR cases. While the docs evaluated patients, we sorted through supplies and instruments, getting things ready for the next day.

I don't remember where I was at or what I was doing but Beth or Maggie came up to me and said "We've got an emergency case and you're doing it!" I was like "huh?" I was a bit freaked out but we gathered supplies and off we go to do an appendectomy. I think everyone and their brother came into the room to watch. We did that case with Dr Dersch and Traxler. All went well.

Sometime after we finished the appy, Trey informed me my suitcases had arrived. They had already gotten all of the medical supplies out of them and got those stocked. I was delighted to finally have my razor so I could shave my armpits :) Seriously - I was able to borrow shampoo, conditioner, etc but I was really stressing over what my armpits were gonna look like by Saturday if I didn't have a razor.

Day 1 Photos

Houses upon houses on the hill.

Day 1 Photo's

My view. Not so fond of flying but I did just fine. Everyone trying to figure out the luggage situation.


"The Gang" at Pizza Hut.

All the supplies lining the long hallway.

The girls room. They had finally finished the wall up to the ceiling so the snoring from the mens side was not the problem this year like it had been in the past. We only had to deal with the roosters and other animal noises.

Day 1

Saturday, February 20

Got up bright and early to meet Beth. We were on our way to Atlanta at 5 a.m. Arrived at the airport and it was utter chaos. All was well but just chaotic. We get on the plane and are ready for take off when they announce over the PA that two people had not shown up for the flight but their luggage had and it was a requirement for all international flights, that they pull that luggage off the plane. Sooooooo, we sat and waited for them to find the luggage that belong to those two. Then they announce that after retrieving their luggage, they discovered they had too much weight on the plane and were having to leave 22 bags in Atlanta!!!!! So I sat there after that announcement figuring out what I was going to do if my two cases were left in Atlanta. The only personal items I had in there were toiletries - shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, razor, ect. The rest was medical supplies.

The flight was overall smooth although we landed on the shortest runway I have ever seen in my life. They even announced a "warning" over the PA before we landed that he would be making a "hard turn" and land on a short strip. Once we touched down I believe I punched a hole in the floor with my feet trying to help the plane stop. :)

Dr Stoudemyer was at the airport to pick us up. He was my family doc for probably the last 15 years but I really didn't think he would remember me but he did and greeted me with a hug. Of course, as I had predicted, both of my checked luggage pieces were still in Atlanta. When we went through baggage claim, some Honduran lady took my luggage tickets, looked at my carry on and said "Ok, you go". I said, "no, I do not have all of my luggage" and tried to get the tickets back from her but she wouldn't give them back. I proceeded to "freak out" a little bit but Dr S came over, I explained to him that my luggage was still in Atlanta and that lady won't give me my tickets back. He said he would take care of it so he went over to her and they conversed in spanish. All together, there were 6 pieces of luggage missing from our group. They assured us it would be delivered to us the next day.

After dealing with all of the missing luggage issues, we loaded up on a yellow school bus and Dr S took us to Pizza Hut for a very late lunch. We were all starving. Of course, we only drank bottled water and bottled sodas.

We then headed out for the two hour drive to Guamiaca. Now to try to explain the driving there is impossible. They just floor it and drive in any direction they want. If anyone gets in the way they just lay on the horn and keep going. We drove for two very long hours on very bumpy dirt roads. We passed many horses, donkeys, cows, and chickens wandering around on the side of the road. Some even just stood in the middle of the road and we drove around them. It was interesting to say the least.

The houses that we passed were pitiful. They really weren't houses. They looked more like outhouses. It was so sad. They were just stacked on top of each other. No toilets, no refrigeration. Just a tiny building to sleep in. Laundry on lines everywhere.

Once we arrived at the "compound" we were directed to the girls room which consisted of 14 bunk beds. They handed us a pillowcase which had our sheets in it, two towels, a washcloth, and a pillow. Once we had our beds made, we went outside to check things out. We saw their pet animals..... turkeys, guineas, chickens, roosters, a honey bear, rabbits, and a squirrel or at least it looked like a squirrel. By then it was supper time. After supper we started unpacking supplies and trying to get things organized.

I don't remember when we finally went to bed that first night. I'm sure it was late. We were up late most every night.

I thought I would be able to pack and be ready for this trip without me "freaking out" (that's what my family calls it when I'm running around like a chicken with my head cut off in a panic) but I had a mild "freak out" spell last night. But I do think I am all set now and will be able to enjoy this evening without freaking everyone else out.

Beth (a lady I graduated with) and I plan to be on our way to Atlanta bright and early at 5 a.m. tomorrow morning. I'm not crazy about having to get up at 3:45 to meet her at 4:45 but you gotta do what you gotta do.

We received an email yesterday from Dr Rinkliff stating that they have 120 patients (no that's not a typo) lined up to be evaluated on Sunday. Patients are seen by Dr Tully Stoudemyer and others at this hospital-- If they feel the patient needs surgery, the patient is then advised when a surgical team will be coming and they are instructed to return that week for their surgery. We will be evaluating all of those patients on Sunday to figure out who needs what and what day they will have their surgery. It' going to be a busy week!!!!!!

Packing Part II

Roxy (aka "Priss") tried to sneak one of her toys in my suitcase....bless her little heart :) Love that pupper dog!!!!
This is her trying to distract me from repacking/organizing. Who can resist that adorable little face??!!!

One of my finished suitcases. Isn't it lovely????!!!!! Please note all of the orthopedic supplies. Does Donna enjoy doing orthopedic cases? Not so much. Is she going to be doing orthopedic cases? With two orthopedic surgeons going on this trip, I imagine so. Will she do this with a great attitude? ABSOLUTELY!!!!!!!

So Sunday we went to the warehouse to load our 2 suitcases with medical supplies. The warehouse was FREEZING. There is absolutely no heat in that building and 95% of the lights don't work but I guess that is irrelevant to this story......I guess I just wanted everyone to know I couldn't feel my toes or nose when I left :) Anyway.......I took my 2 larges suitcases and they are stuffed, and I do mean stuffed with supplies. I have never seen so many footlockers completely packed with medical supplies. It's gonna be crazy unpacking all of that stuff and organizing it.

Can you believe that I have managed to fit all of my personal stuff on my carry on. I know, its amazing isn't it!!!! Not many women could pack that light for a trip but I know I'm not going over there to make a fashion statement so my wardrobe consists of.....scrubs, scrubs, and more scrubs.

Packing.....

Eleven days until we leave and I've started packing. I decided to set my carry on in the corner of my bedroom and throw all of those crazy things you think of that you "might" need in as I think of them. So far I've got THE NOISE MAKER - to hopefully drown out the snorers. Yes, I am very concerned about snoring!!!!!!!! Apparently, the wall dividing the men and women does not go all the way to the ceiling and I know out of about 15 men or so, there will be snorers. There is also - THE ROOSTER who is apparently famous there and has his idea of time confused and likes to start making noise at 1-3 a.m. so I'm hoping to drown him out or wring his little neck one :) Got my camera, charger, and such thrown in there but the most important to me right now is - the noise maker.

Verry Funny Maggie!!!!!!!

Maggie is a scrub tech that has gone on the Honduras trip many many times. She coordinates everything as far as supplies go. She makes sure we have everything we're going to need when we get there. We'll pack a carry on for our personal stuff and the luggage that we check will be filled with medical supplies. How they get equipment over there that is donated, I have no idea. I guess someone flies it over there.

Anyway.....I sent her a little email yesterday asking her if she knew what cases we would be doing yet. Her reply this morning was kind of cute. You may not think it is that funny but I did. Below is her reply and then I'll explain why it was funny:

In the next couple of weeks Dr. Will get an email with some of the cases on it. We do a lot of gallbladders, hernias, some hemoroids, some peds cases. With the othro guys going we'll get some of that. The occasional CABG. (got ya).
Maybe a thyroid, lumps and bumps, scar revisions, then pretty much what ever comes in the door. We will know more soon.
Maggie

It's amazing how many thoughts can fly through your mind in a split second. I bolded the line that got me "The occasional CABG".....if you don't know what that is, it's coronary artery bypass graft - its major crack open your chest, stop your heart, put you on bypass (which is an enormous machine), harvest a vein from your leg and then attach it to your heart surgery!!!!!!! Before I got to the (got ya) part, my eyes bulged out of my head and all of these thoughts went through my head - "Are you kidding me?", "No way", "Ain't gonna do it", and "Ok, that's your case not mine". I've only seen one of those surgeries and was with the meanest preceptor on the face of the earth who told me to stand there, watch and don't you dare touch anything!!!!! Anyway........when I did get to the "got ya" part I had to laugh out loud.

Like I said, its amazing how many thoughts can go through your mind in a split second.

By the way - hemoroid is actually spelled hemorrhoid. Just had to fix that since I worked for the colon and rectal guys for 12 years.

All medical supplies were moved today from the warehouse in Greer to a new location in Greenville. We managed to fit everything into a 25 foot horse trailer that we borrowed from Dr Wendell James. It really did not take as long as expected because there were so many there to help.

Now comes the sorting of the supplies....If you can imagine how many boxes you could fit on a 25 ft trailer ---- well, that's how many boxes we have to go through plus about two more trailer loads that were already at the new warehouse.

Wasn't able to take any pics to post because, well.....I was busy :)

Moving and Sterilizing

Tomorrow the team will meet to move supplies from one location to a new storage area where we will begin sorting and sterilizing. It will be the first time I will meet allot of these people but there will be a few familiar faces so I'm excited to meet everyone. Right now, there are 23 people going on this trip.

Local hospitals and physicians offices donate supplies for the medical missions. Some are new, some are not and have to be repackaged and sterilized. The storage units are also donated.

I hope to be able to take a few pics tomorrow and post them on here so.....stay tuned.

Preparing For Honduras

Getting ready for Honduras.....excited and a little anxious. Will fly out of Atlanta February 20 and head home on the 27th. I am very excited about the opporunity to go and work in Honduras for a week.