Sunday, November 24, 2013
Friday, November 22, 2013
Primera semana
I've capped off my first week here in Santa Cruz. It's been a week full of adjusting to to how the clinic works, speaking Spanish with patients and living with my family. I was a little surprised at how quick I got thrown into things on Monday. I got there in the morning and met Dr Craig for the first time and he gave me a quick introduction to the clinic, which sat on the the second floor of the ministry of health building in the town center. Within a few minutes of arriving I was seeing my first patient. He sent me in with a translator and I realized quickly Spanish was the only language that I was going to be speaking, especially since my translator was translating the locale language into Spanish for me. I honestly don't remember what complaints the patient had because of was pretty flustered the whole time. I finished seeing the patient a went to report what I found out to the attending. Luckily, Dr Craig was cool about me not really knowing what the hell I was doing for my first patient, but it is always interesting the first time you present a patient to a brand new physician. There will always be a question you didn't ask and the diagnosis will always be wrong...
As the week went on I realized quit a few things about my new clinic. Firstly, it isn't a clinic in the US so I don't need to compare them. There are simply things we do in the US that aren't done here for either lack of resources, money, or personnel. Secondly, it runs very similar to other clinics I've been a part of internationally, in under served areas. It's hard to explain exactly but it seems we are always searching for supplies, trying to find charts or trying to get all the vital signs written down by the nurses. Lastly, these are different patients and I need to understand their culture in all aspects in order to help treat and diagnose them.
We had a great clinic on Thursday where we traveled by boat to a town called Tzununa. This was a town that mostly spoke the local language so again my patience was tested. Luckily, I had a new arsenal of medical Spanish I had been working on and although I still got caught up from time to time I was able to get most of the history and exam down comfortably. Here I saw the extent of parasite infections, presumably Ascaris, which is a big problem in underdeveloped countries. At least half of my patients walked away with a 400 mg prescription for Albendazole to treat their parasitismo intestinales.
Tomorrow I think Ill head to another town on the lake and enjoy my time hanging with travelers passing through. It will be nice to hang with some other people because my gringo contact has been pretty limited as I think I'm the only one living in town with the local people ( at least that I've seen). Most foreigners live in the big houses or hostels by the water about a 15 minute walk down the hill. All things considered it was a fruitful work week and I think after 4 weeks Ill feel comfortable with my Spanish and happy my experiences.
As the week went on I realized quit a few things about my new clinic. Firstly, it isn't a clinic in the US so I don't need to compare them. There are simply things we do in the US that aren't done here for either lack of resources, money, or personnel. Secondly, it runs very similar to other clinics I've been a part of internationally, in under served areas. It's hard to explain exactly but it seems we are always searching for supplies, trying to find charts or trying to get all the vital signs written down by the nurses. Lastly, these are different patients and I need to understand their culture in all aspects in order to help treat and diagnose them.
We had a great clinic on Thursday where we traveled by boat to a town called Tzununa. This was a town that mostly spoke the local language so again my patience was tested. Luckily, I had a new arsenal of medical Spanish I had been working on and although I still got caught up from time to time I was able to get most of the history and exam down comfortably. Here I saw the extent of parasite infections, presumably Ascaris, which is a big problem in underdeveloped countries. At least half of my patients walked away with a 400 mg prescription for Albendazole to treat their parasitismo intestinales.
Tomorrow I think Ill head to another town on the lake and enjoy my time hanging with travelers passing through. It will be nice to hang with some other people because my gringo contact has been pretty limited as I think I'm the only one living in town with the local people ( at least that I've seen). Most foreigners live in the big houses or hostels by the water about a 15 minute walk down the hill. All things considered it was a fruitful work week and I think after 4 weeks Ill feel comfortable with my Spanish and happy my experiences.
Monday, November 18, 2013
Santa Cruz Arrival
Arrived in Santa Cruz today after the morning travel from Antigua then to Panajachel. I was met at the dock by Carlos, the father at my homestay. I was put on a tuk tuk to head up the hill towards their house. I arrived at their home but not before getting pimped by my driver for an extra 5Q. I was met by the women of the house, Alicia and her mother Maria. Immediately after stepping through the ironclad doorway the three kids ages 3, 5 and 7 (Hardeth, Richard and Juan) slammed into me, it guess thinking they got an early Christmas present of a jungle gym in the form of a six foot gringo. I didn't mind one bit though and after messing around for a good half hour I put my stuff in the small bedroom they had prepared for me. I'm glad I didn't have any true expectations for this homestay, but if I did have the thought of living in a concrete floor, tin roof house that you see when you travel and wonder what I looks like inside, then this would have fit the description. Also, my ambitions of speaking only Spanish were holding true because there was no one living here that would be speaking English to me.
I toured the town of Santa Cruz a little bit but walking up or down very steep hills wasn't my MO this afternoon so I went back to the house for a nap. I was awoken around 4 to the sound of a guitar. What I thought was the living room was indeed their makeshift church and as I sat their about 10 to 12 men,women, children, and babies attached to the breast came into the living room for the church service. Apparently, Carlos and his family had converted to Christianity last year and they don't have a formal church, so they use their living room. Last to arrive were an older husband and wife missionary couple of the states. I guess at this point I had no choice but to be a member of the congregation. We sat for an hour or so listening to Carlos speak and play the guitar. I got pressured into the tamberine so I recalled my old middle school band skills.
This was probably my most enjoyable church service ever. First, it was great Spanish practice. Second, it was amazing to see happiness of people who are living in such poverty. I could only help but picture some of my church experiences with the people who drive nice ass cars and live in mansions coming to thank The Lord. Talking with Carlos later, he told me they hold church at their house 4 times a week, so it looks like I'm going to be getting my good graces in. Carlos and I walked around the town before dinner an he told me stories of growing up in the small town of Santa Cruz. Each person we passéd on the street he acknowledged them in the local language of, quetzekal ( terrible spelling error!)
We returned for dinner consisting of chicken, avocado, tortillas, and papas ( all my favorites). While at dinner I realized the true extent of people living in this tiny "house". Carlos, his wife Alicia and their three kids. Alicia's 2 sisters, ages 9 and 12, and their mother Maria. After this occurred to me I realized they were all living in the one bedroom beside me! We had a great dinner and finished it off with hot chocolate ( my second of the day). I'm off to bed now because I have clinic starting in the morning.
I toured the town of Santa Cruz a little bit but walking up or down very steep hills wasn't my MO this afternoon so I went back to the house for a nap. I was awoken around 4 to the sound of a guitar. What I thought was the living room was indeed their makeshift church and as I sat their about 10 to 12 men,women, children, and babies attached to the breast came into the living room for the church service. Apparently, Carlos and his family had converted to Christianity last year and they don't have a formal church, so they use their living room. Last to arrive were an older husband and wife missionary couple of the states. I guess at this point I had no choice but to be a member of the congregation. We sat for an hour or so listening to Carlos speak and play the guitar. I got pressured into the tamberine so I recalled my old middle school band skills.
This was probably my most enjoyable church service ever. First, it was great Spanish practice. Second, it was amazing to see happiness of people who are living in such poverty. I could only help but picture some of my church experiences with the people who drive nice ass cars and live in mansions coming to thank The Lord. Talking with Carlos later, he told me they hold church at their house 4 times a week, so it looks like I'm going to be getting my good graces in. Carlos and I walked around the town before dinner an he told me stories of growing up in the small town of Santa Cruz. Each person we passéd on the street he acknowledged them in the local language of, quetzekal ( terrible spelling error!)
We returned for dinner consisting of chicken, avocado, tortillas, and papas ( all my favorites). While at dinner I realized the true extent of people living in this tiny "house". Carlos, his wife Alicia and their three kids. Alicia's 2 sisters, ages 9 and 12, and their mother Maria. After this occurred to me I realized they were all living in the one bedroom beside me! We had a great dinner and finished it off with hot chocolate ( my second of the day). I'm off to bed now because I have clinic starting in the morning.
Headed out
Once again I find myself about to board a plane to Guatemala. I never thought I would be so lucky as to return within 6 months of my last trip. Luckily I was able to get my passport brought to me last night aft leaving it in Athens (Thanks MF!) . The thought of my passport didn't cross my mind until 6:30 pm last night when my mom asked me if I had it. I guess I had a lot of stuff going on the past week with school but it still amazes me how I did not even put it on my long checklist of things to do/pack before in left. In my defense, it is only the third time I've left the country. I'm leaving that mishap behind me, however, and getting my mind in the right spot to truly embrace Guatemala. It feels great to be returning with the purpose of both language and medicine. I'm excited to be living with a local family having to speak Spanish on a daily basis whether I want to or not, and also working in a clinic that will give me the confidence I need with interviewing and examining patients in their chosen language. On a side note, I bought medical travel insurance this morning, which makes me feel a little safer when considering some of the cars/trucks/vans/buses/donkeys that I'll most likely be traveling on.
Friday, November 15, 2013
Back to Guatemala....
Headed to Lake Atitlan for 4 weeks, working with Mayan Medical Aid and trying to improve my spanish. Hoping to keep the blog going while I'm down there!
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
The Peace Corps In Honduras In 1964
Just watched this little documentary. Super cool.
http://www.youtube.com/v/8MeYkpFQWKk?version=3&autohide=1&showinfo=1&autohide=1&autoplay=1&feature=share&attribution_tag=IKZwhRS7ZEKc9HJIFqxF9g
http://www.youtube.com/v/8MeYkpFQWKk?version=3&autohide=1&showinfo=1&autohide=1&autoplay=1&feature=share&attribution_tag=IKZwhRS7ZEKc9HJIFqxF9g
Monday, November 4, 2013
A warmshower
Check out the blog of Tyler, who stayed with me on Saturday night. Once again, a reason why riding bikes brings people together. Good luck!
Tyler Wheatcraft: Bicycle Touring: I've decided to travel the country via bicycle working on organic farms along the way. I'm leaving my house October 8th headed South...
Tyler Wheatcraft: Bicycle Touring: I've decided to travel the country via bicycle working on organic farms along the way. I'm leaving my house October 8th headed South...
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