Back in Hot Montellano!

I have been back in Montellano, for about 48 hours.......and it is not any cooler.....but that is ok!

It has been good to see everyone and I can tell that they have been working hard to prepare for the surgical team that will arrive on Saturday.

Some of you may remember a few years ago, when COVID prevented us from returning to Guatemala, we all prayed at 5:15 pm every day. I have never taken that alarm off my phone.......I still pray but it is a prayer of thanksgiving.

I want to share with you another event that deserves our thanksgiving prayers. Several months ago, we stated digging our well here on the property of Ezell. There has been many ups, downs and arounds during these few months but we hit water!  

I remember the day that we made room for the machine to come in. We removed shrubs and some small trees, to make an entrance.

 

We thought we would have to go to 700 feet but we caught a break!

 

 

At 300 feet, we had water!

 

Kemmel with Byron and two of the guys that helped us get to the point.

 

So now, Health Talents has their own water source.  Gracias a Dios!

 

In the evening when I returned, I went down the street to see what what happening. One lady knows that I love the fruit mangosteen or mangostein. It has a very short life here, only about 3 or 4 weeks but she brought me a large bag and it also includes some lichas.

 

 

One of our neighbors burned her legs with hot oil, a couple of weeks ago.  I felt bad that I was not here to help her but she was able to go to a private hospital and get some care.

 

 

Kemmel came and got me today and he showed me where they have planted a tree for my dad.  It is a very appropriate tree because of the name. The fruit that it will produce is called, Jack Fruit.

They planted it hear the apartment where I am staying now.  In a few years or a few decades, it should look like this.

 

I really appreciate the thought of this being done. My dad loved Health Talents and was able to visit Guatemala twice.  His favorite place was Santa Cruz in the Quiche area. He enjoyed walking the streets and visiting the market. He was a great cheerleader for us!

 

Recap of June and July 2024

Again, the months have flown by!  The months of June and July were filled with three surgical trips, staff education, baptism of an employee, two trips to The States and a vacation in Panama, Florida.

We had a day of education on the proper cleaning of the surgical areas and ways to lower the possibilities of infections. The staff attend the classes well and always participate.

 

The nurses and caregivers meet before the surgeries begin on Sunday.

 

The first June team was filled with 12 GYN Surgeries, 30 General surgeries and 9 ENT patients. All of the patients did well and soon it was time to head to Antigua.

I returned to NC between surgical trips and my mom and I hit Panama City for a few days. We had a really good time.  Jodi visited us for a day and we rented a car to have some fun.

 

The second June team was a busy week with 89 Eye Surgeries and 23 General surgeries. Patients are very thankful for the care and healing.

 

There is even some time for a little fun!

 

When the team leaves, it is time to prepare for the next group!

 

In July, we had two CPR Classes provided by Dr. Zack who lives near the clinic. On the first day, he provided education for adult CPR and on the second day, CPR for babies. 

 

 

There was only one student in the class who had ever performed CPR.

 

 

It was a great opportunity and I am thankful that we are able to provide more education for the staff.

 

 

The July team rolled quickly to us and we prepared for general, urology and ocuplasty surgeries.

We kept the ORs busy!

 

I am so proud and thankful for all of the staff that we have at Ezell.  The capabilities and their willingness to learn has expanded. When there are vacancies of team members from the states, for example post-op nurses and translators, we are able to fill those with Guatemalan staff.

 

As I mention above, we are able to fill the gaps of post-op nurses and translators, but I also have a goal of preparing more nurses for the OR and PACU areas. In starting this, Mary Ann CRNA, took Darling and Greysly into the OR and worked with them on airway management.

 

 

I have also talked to Mary Ann and some others about working with the nurses in the future in the PACU area 1:1 to begin some critical care thinking skills. Slowly......but surely.......they will be ready!

 

Yes, the sunrises are still pretty. 

 

After a busy week, it is time to hit Antigua.

 

 

Another special event during this time was the baptism of Sergio. He works with us during the surgical weeks in triage and also helps clean.  Attending the Wednesday afternoon devotionals influenced him and he decided that he wanted to become a Christian.  The three evangelists, Baldemar, Elmer and Victor spend time with him and answered is questions. Baldemar baptized him in Chicacao.

 

Several of the staff members were able to go and share in this special time.

 

 So that is a quick wrap of what was done in June and July........we will see what August has in store.