Can not believe that we just completed the 4th surgical trip of the year. What a week it was! It was a great combination of people who have been coming down for many years and then we had the added bonus of making new friends! Everyone has an open invitation to return......it was just an incredible week. There were some highs and lows but we made it through.
One special visitor arrived during dinner on Saturday evening. Everyone was chatting away and all of a sudden, I heard screaming and everyone was diving for the floor. One person was trying to catch it by their hands and knocked it down. I scooped it up with a surgical towel and tossed it outside. This photo is of his friend, that showed up a few nights later.
Dental had three visitors during the week Bonnie, Dondis and George. George is the first gentleman on the left and he translated. Dondis is the third person and she is a dental student. Bonnie is the lady to the far right and she is a dental hygienist. I will tell you a little more about Bonnie later.
It was good to have Dr. Grogan back with us after a few years. Lisa, Kemmel and Dr. Grogan catching up.
I have told people how early the cooks start in the morning and it is true. They usually get up around 4am and get the corn ground for the tortillas. I can not take credit for this photo but it shows the cooks returning after they have gone to grind the corn.
The ORs were cranked up by 0800 every morning. We ran two general rooms and one GYN Room.
Tuesday was the day of the eclipse. Again, I can not take credit for this photo but someone grabbed it and I stole it!
I have decided that I am going to try to take more photos. I use to and now other things prevent me from getting it done.......but I will try to do better.
There were some people on this trip that were very encouraging. Maxie is on the left and Brenda is on the right. They walked with patients every day, sat and chatted with them and also prayed. I am sure that these ladies will be returning.
After a full week it was time to head to Antigua. It took a little longer for us to get the group together, so it gave Dr. Santi a little time to goof around. He decided to create a breeze with the tree branch. It is the first breeze that has ever been, in HOT Montellano.
Finally........
That was a Montellano wrap! Did I tell you what a great week it was?? Everyone worked hard and it came together.
Now, I had mentioned Bonnie......well, she had the opportunity to meet her ABC Child in Antigua. It was a special couple of hours. We enjoyed the time together and I hope that they will be able to do the same next year!
OK, we are looking for your future trip forms.......you will be so thankful that you submitted one. Just visit.......www.healthtalents.org and the process is simple. The trips for 2024 and 2025 are posted!
