November in One Breath

The month of November flew by...........it actually flew! So, I will recap some of the main activities.

We had two surgical trips in November. I briefly mentioned the first one in a previous post.  

The second surgical clinic was an eye clinic.  The ending report showed that 81 surgeries were completed. We are thankful for those and pray that the patients continue to do well as they recuperate. 

We had two nursing students help us during the surgical weeks and I want to introduce them to you.

First is Yonni.  Yonni, as a young child had plastic surgery.  After this experience, he decided that he wanted to go into healthcare and become a nurse.  He is now 18 years old, will soon graduate and has done well. We was able to visit with Dr. Philip earlier this year and it was a special reunion!

 

Victoria is also in the nursing program. She came for a dental visit, when she was 14 years old and then decided she wanted a healthcare. She is now 24 years old and will soon be a nurse.

 

We wish both of these students the best, as they graduate and begin their professional careers.

 

We also had a ladies seminar with Michelle, Wendy and Brenda

    

 

Several of our staff participated in the three day seminar, there were almost 50 in attendance and good participation.

 

A final photo of the group.

 

 

Living in the extremely warm, coastal area, we have the honor to have a lot of Dengue. We recently had some education on the illness.

 

 

Then we had an opportunity to seek out areas that mosquitos can be easily found.

 

Prevention is the is one of the keys.

 

Our monthly Diabetic Club continues to do well.  This month, we had Baldemar visit and talk about our spiritual needs.

 

The Nutritional Class also met.  Marissa, our psychologist, met with the group and presented some education and play therapy.

 

We had a 3 day seminar with Marvin, that included close to 80 young people.  Here is a group of them after worship on Sunday.

 

After the music seminar, we closed the year.  It was an exciting year......we accomplished a lot but there is always more to do

 

It will be good to return in January and start another year of service with Health Talents.s
 

 

 

 

First Surgical Team in November

As always, there can be a small snag or tumalo with an activity. We had a few when the team arrived but we just shifted gears and all ended well.

When I arrived in Montellano, I took this photo in the morning. My last 2.5 weeks were good in the states but it was nice to return to this.

Before COVID, we had a Nurse Practitioner come with a group to Chichicastenango.  It was her first time in Guatemala and she loved it. She late returned for another round of clinics in Chichi but this time, she opted to come to Montellano. Her name is Susan and she loves being a nurse.

Susan is working the day shift and before each morning started, she rounded up her group for a moment of prayer. She said she wanted everyone to stay focused on the reason that they are here and to treat each patient, as if he/ she was someone that they knew and loved. So my question is, how would this change nursing in the United States, if we were allowed to do it?

 

Just so you know, each day, the group was larger!

 

I love to share interesting stories with you and there are so many more to come!

 

October's Challenges Continue

The month of October has been full of challenges, outside of the normal ones.  Political events and activities have included road blocks, preventing people from travels, closing access to supplies and keeping people from their work and daily activities.  

Before the October team arrived, we had planned a full week of GYN and General Surgeries. We watched with caution as events happened but remained positive that we would be able to continue with the week.

When I arrived in Guatemala City, I heard that I would not have any problem getting to Antigua for a couple of nights but that was not the case. We turned around and I found a place to stay in Guatemala City, as I planned for the team to arrive on Saturday.

There were a few road blocks but not many. I have been here since 2007 and have seen unnumbered protests that start strong and by day two, they hang up their machetes and go home for lunch. 

There were positive posts from the staff too. They were preparing for our arrival.

 

I always tell people that the staff work very hard to prepare for a surgical week and it is true.

 

 

Rigoberto and others greeted the patients as they arrived and continue to do things as normal.

 

 

On Sunday afternoon, Darling and Rita talked with the nursing staff to prepare them for the week.

 

It was a diverse group of volunteers. For many, it was their first time, brought by friends or family who wanted to share a special week in Montellano.  For others, it was their first time after COVID closed us down. It was great to see Barb again, who brought two new people with her.

 

 

One of our very own had surgery...........and we just had to cheer him up!  Someone, came up with the idea to paint Oscar's toes when he was sleeping.....You should have heard him laugh.  I will not tell everyone that Bode did the evil deed! You can see for yourself! The patients in the beds close to him did not want to close their eyes!

 

 

Next time that I see Juana, Oscar's wife, I will ask her if she liked the color!

 

Even thought we have some fun, we do not want to forget that we are here to care for people, ease their pain and let them know we care. Bruce, who served as our chaplain, prayed for the patients this week.
 

Hopefully, some seeds were planted in the few days that the team was here.

 

With the growing unrest here and with roads closing to over 150, we decided it was best that the team return to the states. It was a very difficult decision but strategically thought out.

 

Our team photo was taken after dinner, instead of the usual morning photo before they head to Antigua.

 

The bus left at midnight and as they passed each blockade, I would get a few calls from people letting me know they were safe. After each call, I paused and gave thanks/ Gracias a Dios for their travels.  They made it to the airport and flights were rescheduled.

A very difficult week.......and we will see what the future holds.

Another Reason to Join a Trip

There are many reasons why people join a week with us to serve in Montellano, Guatemala.

Maybe it is to see how hot Montellano really is??

Maybe it is to see how hard it can rain in Montellano??

I think it is because people have a heart to serve and want to see what has been happening for these fifty years.

Health Talents focuses on Medical Evangelism. The medical and dental care that we can provide for patients is only the door, by which we can share the gospel with people. We not only focus on the physical well-being of patients but also the spiritual and social aspects.

While I believe that each of us have the responsibility to share the gospel, we have a team of three evangelists.  During the time that there is a not a surgical team with us, they visit people in their homes and also encourage the area congregations.

This is Elmer, Baldemar and Victor in an area called Santiago.  It is near Lake Atitlan.  They have been going to this area for about six months now and have the dream of being able to plant a church here.

 

Baldemar, praying with one of the gentleman in Santiago.

 

 

Elmer, sharing his thoughts from the scripture in a patient's home.

 

\

Victor speaking at a special event.

 

 

Baldemar and Elmer visiting in another home.

 

Victor enjoys visiting patients during the surgical clinics.  He goes from bed-to-bed visiting and praying with the patients.  In this case, he shares the Bible before a lady goes into surgery. 

 

When people are sick, they are vulnerable and this is a great time to share something of eternal importance.

 

Not everyone is medical that chooses to come, serve and visit with us.  Let me know what talent that you have and we can discuss how you can be used.  God only needs someone that is willing to go, serve and love..........that someone may be you!

September Already???

 Unbelievable  how the months and jornadas have flown!!  Fast and wild.

We prepared for the surgical trip, as we always do with cleaning, restocking and cleaning again.  The cooks went shopping with Obdulio and purchased the food that they will need for the week. Rigo and William have the hotel/ rooms ready, with all clean laundry.  Milton and Javier have the grounds looking wonderful!

Silvia preparing the ORs.

 

Diego opening and cleaning all of the patient's bedside tables.

 

Jaquelin wiping down all of the trash receptacles.

 

 

The patient recovery area is ready!

 

Darling working on the staffing schedule.

 

 

Ada and Imadeysi restocking the anesthesia room.

 

Luis David, also helping in the anesthesia area.

 

Pascual and Maria prepping OR #3.

 

Sergio, power washes the bathroom shower mats.

 

When everything is in its proper place, we are ready to see patients.  This week, we will have enough patients to run two OR for GYN surgeries and one OR for pediatric urology.  I think that we have enough patients to keep the team busy.

 

As patients are ready to go to the operating room, they are seated in a special area.  Their IV is started, sometimes an antibiotic is given and then the person who will be giving the anesthesia visits.  They review what the surgery will be, discuss allergies if there are any, answer any questions that the patient may have and then they are prayed with.

Here two patients have some time to get to know each other a little before they walk to the operating room.

 

We had several children and babies this week. One small baby needed to have some special care to his lungs after surgery.  Lauren quickly managed the baby and all went well.

 

Susan had her ABC Child visit on Sunday. They were so kind and brought her flowers. The ABC Program assists with children who continue to study in school and also assists the family.
 

 

One patient did need to receive blood in the afternoon of her surgery.  Elmer was in Mazatenango when I called him. He arrived safely, with two units of blood, in fifty minutes.  The blood infusing with a "pressure bag" around it.  

As fast as September arrived. so did Friday morning.  We had our traditional photo before we loaded up the buses and made our way to Antigua.  This group was a wide variety of people who have been coming down.  Several new people were in the group and I hope to see them again, in the near future.

 

Many thanks for everyone's hard work!  It was a great week, many patients were served physically and I also hope that some have a closer relationship with their Lord after the week.  I will let you know how the patients are progressing, after Dr. Walter sees them.

Melina, PA joins us for a week

Last Saturday, Melina joined us for a week and assisted Marta with clinics. Marta continues to progress in her new role and seeing patients. She has been very helpful and it was great having her with us.

She went with Marta on Monday to Santa Clara. They did not have as many patients there as we had hoped for but on Tuesday and Wednesday, they stayed very busy.

On Wednesday, we hit the street for some lunch. One of the mother of a young patient, asked for our photo with her son.

The mother later sent me the photo and said, Thank you Gringa Amiga!

On Friday, Melina helped Silvia in the sterilization room packing towels.  I am not sure that Melina would want to take this role on full-time.

 

Many people do not think of the time and amount of work that goes into preparation for a surgical team.  The group works hard and I appreciate all that they do.

 

Melina, thank you for visiting us. Remember that you always have an invitation to return to Montellano and I hope that we see you in the near future.

Diabetic Club at Hospital Ezell

We have noticed over the several last years that the population of diabetics in on the increase.  We are seeing more patients with high blood pressure and complicated histories.

It is  a challenge to maintain diabetics but it is something that Health Talents has been interested in. With the collaboration of two other areas close to Montellano, yesterday we had the first meeting of the Diabetic Club.

Dr. Allen, welcomed everyone to the meeting and discussed topics that diabetics should know about.

The members of the group, were diagnosed less than six months ago.  They will be maintained in their community and be followed by their primary physician.  They will meet monthly at Ezell and will have access to come to the clinic to walk.

 

We are hoping that with proper education, medical supervision and the assistance of a support group, that patients will remain controlled and have a productive lifestyle.

 

At the next meeting on September 21, Noe Chan, will be at the meeting.  He will discuss physical therapy and exercises that can be useful to diabetic patients.

Plastic, Urology and General Surgery

The time goes by so quickly between two surgical trips.  We clean, restock, clean again and then greet our guests!

Remember that TV show, Fantasy Island? As I wrote that last sentence, I thought of how they must have felt. Each team is different.  Each group of surgeons and nurses arrive with different talents and expectations of how the week will go. I hope that we can surpass what they had hoped for.

The patients are on the other side......coming for care, usually expecting and hoping for surgery that will ease their pain and make life more enjoyable. Often, their pain is not only physical but also emotional and spiritual. Seeds were planted and we pray that they fell on fertile soil.

As usual we prepped the week before the team arrived. People may not think about the work that goes into preparing the surgical packets and gowns. Amadesi helps us with the the surgical teams.

Jacklyn, is one of our nurses and she also preps.

 

Not only do we prep materials but we also prep the patients with labs and evaluations.

 

Saturday afternoon, a group arrived early to start the consults early for patients needing plastic surgery.

On Sunday morning, we worshiped with the Montellano Church of Christ. Bode spoke and Oscar translated for him.  He then lead a song, which should be our daily prayer.

Father God, just for today, help me to walk your narrow way. Help me stand when I might fall. Give me your strength to hear Your call. May my steps be worship, may my tho’ts be praise. May my words bring honor to your name. May my steps be worship, may my tho’ts be praise. May my words bring honor to your name. 

One of our patients waiting for surgery.

This young patient enjoyed her walks with her mom.

By the end of the week, we had cared for 56 patients. It was a busy week but we are so thankful that all went well.  There were no complications and all of the patients will be seen the next Friday by Dr. Walter.

On Friday morning, it was time to take the final photo and load the bus up.

A drone took the photo for us.

We prayed for everyone's safe travels and look forward to the time that we can serve together again.