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!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
Monday, March 1, 2010
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)