Clinic in Xepol

Garpar, Kaitlyn and I went Xepol.  We had a decent day and ended up with nine medical patients.  The congregation had recently had an event and the building was still decorated with pine needles and they smelled good.

We sat and talked before the first patients arrived and then we had a steady stream.  Kaitlyn would start with the vital signs and then bring them over for the consult.

The one patient that concerned us the most was a lady that had gone to a national hospital for an infected tooth. She said that they never pulled it.  She lost a lot of blood and found out that she was pregnant.  She ended up severely anemic and received some blood.  After they took out her iv line, and she went home, the arm got red, hot and she developed celulitis. The day that she went home she also started bleeding.  She needs labs, ultrasound, IV antibiotic treatment.  We will see what happens with her.

Tomorrow, we will have two clinics.  One will be in Caris and the otherr one will be in Chichi.

ABC Clinic in Mactzul II

We took several trucks out to Mactzul II.  This is one of my favorite communities. I use to do a ladies class once a month here.  I wish that we could get it going again.

I want to introduce you to some ABC Children that we have known for several years.  This is Maria and is sponsored by my friend, Sally.  Maria started study to be a nurse but eventually decided to change curriculum's. Now she is studying office management and sees to really enjoy it.  She told me that she has two more years left to study.

This is Nelson and he is sponsored by Andrew and Mary.  They come down to Chichicastanango every year and help us with clinics.

This is the lead instructor, Gary, checking out a student's ears.  If I remember correctly, this is Gary's eighth time to Guatemala to help the Harding P.A. Students.

We took a quick break for lunch and had fried chicken with rice and tortillas.  Lunch conversation is always interesting.  Students told  us their  horror stories of when they did their psych rotations in school.

Tomorrow, we will head out in three different dirretions.

Clinics in Chuchuca and Xejox

Well, all of the Harding Group has finally arrived but not all of the luggage has arrived.  They had delays in travel due to weather and then that resulted in lost luggage.  They still seem to be in good spirits and ready for a busy week.

Kemmel and Lisa picked me up at 0530 and we left the hotel close to 0600.  Most of us drove up to the same area and split at the school. My truck stopped and jumped out for a quick photo.

This is Sandra, Kaitlyn, Kelsi, Meredith and Megan.  Sandra will translate for us today and the others are P.A. Students at Harding University.

A few people had time to get their hair braided...........Sandra was designated to do the job.  Having as many sisters as she does, it comes very easy for her.

I think we saw all of the ABC Children in this community.  We also saw a child that is not part of the program but we noticed a bad cough and he had a temperature of 103.7.  We got him started on some medicine before he left the building.

We were treated to an awesome lunch!  We had the greatest fried chicken, there was a plate of grilled steak, radishes, cucumbers, tortillas and papaya.

Kemmel said, "They are really treating us like kings!"

Outside of the building, this was the first time I have ever seen this done.  They took plastic drink bottles and covered the end of the wood so it would not rot.  If it does not stay wet from the rain, the wood will last and not have to be replaced as often. What a great idea.

 Everyone made it back to the hotel in time for a late dinner.  It was a great clinic. We did not see any children underweight.  We saw many who have improved their dental situation.  The education is slow but we are getting there.

I talked to Sandra about what she wants to do.  Before, she never was able to tell me what she wanted to study but today, she told me that she wants to be a dentist. I am excited for her and will do anything to help make this happen for her.

Tomorrow, we will have clinic in several places.  I will be in Mactzul II helping do an ABC Clinic.

Night at Lake Atitlan

I made a quick trip to Panajachel to check out a hotel that I have been wanting to stay at.  The problem is the time is very close to Semnana Santa or the Holy Week here.  The hotel is booked and so I am still looking for a place to spend a couple of nights.

I have contacted Monterrico because I really like it there but they warned me not to come.  They told me that there will be so many parties and it will take a week to clean the place up after everyone leaves.  So, I have two other places to check out.

This was the lake and it was a very beautiful afternoon.

I ate dinner on the lake and watched the sun go down.

The weather could not have been any more perfect.

In the morning, I will head back to Chichi. The group from Harding University will be arriving and we will be gearing up for a busy week.  It is always good to have new people come and participate in the work.  We will be doing both ABC Clinics and general clinics.  I will share photos during the week.

Clinic in San Jorge.......and coconuts!

Several of us headed to San Jorge this morning.  For those who have been there, you will remember how hot it is.  The climate is not at all like it is in Chichi and most of us, prefer Chichi.

Martina called me early this morning and told me that her baby was sick and had a fever.  Her sister, Micaela has worked for us a few times so she went with us to San Jorge today. 

After we met up with Tomas in Quiche, we picked up Aura and Enrique.

We ended up with 10 medical patients and 8 dental patients.

When we had finished seeing most of the patients, I walked to the store to get us some Cokes and something to eat.  The morning had gone by very quickly.

As we were loading the trucks up, I thought I heard Aura say, "Sheri es loca!"  (Sheri is crazy!)  I did not hear her correctly............because she said, "Sheri, hay coco!"  (Sheri, there are coconuts!)  One small coconut had fallen to the ground.  We were just thankful that no one had been standing under the tree when it fell!  We would not want any patients with neurological problems :)

Aura with her coconut.  We tried to break it open but we were not able.  Aura took it home so she will be able to enjoy the milk.

We ended up with 10 medical patients and 8 dental patients.

There is a lot of road construction going on and we did not have good luck.  Twice today, we had to stop in the road to wait for them to reopen.......45 minute wait each time.

Tomorrow, we will have an ABC Clinic in Pacaja Xesic.  It is the community that Aura lives in and it will be a good clinic :)

Clinic in Chutzurob and Jessica

As we left Kemmel and Lisa's home this morning, Kemmel gave us a mission to find a certain make of a plastic stapler.  We are beginning to put together the folders for the ABC clinics that will start soon.  Well, I found the right brand but it was metal........so, I opted for a different brand but a plastic one.  We will see how long it lasts.  It may be the last time that Kemmel sends me shopping :)

Things are really gearing up for the next few weeks.  During this time we will host two teams, have one intern visiting and then head into the Semana Santa or Holy Week. One group will be from Harding University and the other will be from Oklahoma Christian College. The students from those schools will go with us to clinics everyday and apply what they have learned thus far.  It will be a busy two weeks but a good two weeks.

We headed out this morning for Chutzurop.  The first week of February, Katy was down and she wanted to get a gift to her ABC Child.  Her name is Jessica and she is sweet.  Katy and I have been friends for several years and she has visited the Highlands a few times.

This is Jessica and her new backpack.  She and her mother were very excited.

We saw 12 medical patients and there was a variety of illnesses.

All of the diabetics were well controlled. We had one pregnant lady who is doing well.  Several children had coughs and cold symptoms.  One lady has had Bell's Palsy since December and she is still seeing some improvement.

When we finished clinic, we headed for Chichi...................it was time to have a late lunch or early dinner.

Tomorrow, I will be in San Jorge and hope that there will be several patients.

More babies post-op

We had a great clinic today.

The last two babies came for their post-up visit.

This is Eber and he had his palate repaired.  His mom told me that he is eating and doing well. He has not had any fever and he looked good.

This is Kenia.  This was her second time to have her lip repaired.  She is having problems again so we will cover her with an antibiotic and hope for the best.  Her mother is very sad about this, as we all are.  We will see what happens.

Please remember these babies in your prayers. 

One of Lisa's patients returned today.  He is having prostate problems but he is feeling better. 

Most of the diabetics looked good.  A few had really lowered their blood sugar and I hope that they continue.

Tomorrow, we will have clinic in Chutzurob.