Footprints

Back to Work in Arcatao

Posted on 27 April 2010

So after a relaxing weekend, a tired group of STIMMA workers went to bed early on Sunday night to rest up for the week. Even though the beds were comfy in Arcatao, many did not get to sleep until later. There was a wedding in the main square and in typical Salvadorian style, a man fastened a chair to his back, had horns and ran up and down the streets setting off fireworks. It was quite a sight to see for the team. This continued for a good 20 minutes. The fireworks were of every sound and colour. We were less than 10 feet away at times. A little scary for some, but truly magical.

So, we arrived at the clinic at 7:30am to be greeted by about 50 Hondurans. They had arrived at the clinic at 5:30 awaiting our arrival. Today was an especially challenging day, as the team was a little drained as well, and the sun was out in full force. The patients were certainly more complex as well.

One of the first few patients we saw was a little boy. He was awaiting his prescription at the pharmacy and then all of a sudden! I felt a splatter on my legs. I thought someone had dropped their water. I turned around to see orange vomit all over the place, including up and down the back of my leg. The poor kid was feeling so sick. He was so weak and dehydrated, he did not even have any tears to cry. He was diagnosed with a respiratory tract infection and dengue fever. His mom also looked scared and frustrated as her eyes were teary and red. The little boy just sat nestled in his moms lap as she patiently awaited his medicine. We hope that when he returns to the clinic in 2 days he will have perked up and his fever is under control.

A trend that we have noticed this time around is there are many more patients at the clinic presenting with anxiety and panic attacks. It is too early at this point to say what the source of this trend is; however, I have a feeling it may have to do with residual anxiety from the Civil War.

There definitely have been more kids at the clinic today. We have seen more dysentery and infections. There have also been an increase in the number of hypertension cases and about a half a dozen new diabetic patients. Rae and Jasmine are providing education on how to manage their disease state.

We changed things around with the translators. Daniella moved to Education as our favourite Tia Karla left to visit family in San Salvador before heading home. Augustine, Daniella’s father, has now joined the team. Daniella took control of education at the clinic and then travelled to one of the public schools to provide instruction to students. There are a total of 400 students to be educated. Since the clinic is being held during the day, many of these students will not be able to attend the educational sessions at the clinic. In the next 2 days, our goal is to go to both the elementary and secondary schools to educate all the students and to also go in to the schools and teach the teachers basic first aid.

The pharmacy girls were able to spend a little bit of time with Rae, our wound care specialist, as she took care of a lovely lady in her 80s who had cellulitis. Her right leg was covered from the knee down to her ankles. She had picked at a certain area that had also opened and was weeping. Late and Laura both learned how to properly apply a dressing and what things need to be taken into consideration when assessing such wounds. In the next few days, they will be spending time with Dr O’Connor so they can witness first hand how the doctor develops his diagnosis.

Megan is still hard at work in Registration and the Eye Clinic. Olga, Lois and Megan have all been such a wonderful addition to the team. They are always being helpful and trying to find work to do. They always have a smile on their face and are willing to jump in whenever and wherever. Poor Olga and Megan did not even complain when they sat in the hall counting multivitamins, surrounded by literally 20 to 30 mosquitoes attracted to the sweet scent of the chewable vitamins.

Frank, one of our veteran translators, definitely continues to be a huge asset. The minute he leaves the nurse’s station he is attacked by the team looking for a translator. He never complains and always is willing to help out. His professionalism and fun loving nature has definitely contributed to balancing out the clinic. Some days we see more challenging cases than others, and everyone needs an outlet, something to make them smile. Frank and Ken play that role perfectly, and have honestly done wonders for the team morale.

Ellen and Steph continue to work hard and do their utmost to help. They are such wonderful people. They are always willing to stay later to help out or assist in other stations. Ellen mentioned earlier today how much she has truly enjoyed the clinic and how much she has learned. Steph has commented on how the clinic has exceeded her expectations and it is so much more than she thought it would be.

Sister Peggy, when we left, said an interesting phrase that absolutely rings true with the team.

“We are healed by the healing process of healing others.”

Honestly, could not have said it better myself.

So after a relaxing weekend, a tired group of STIMMA workers went to bed early on Sunday night to rest up for the week. Even though the beds were comfy in Arcatao, many did not get to sleep until later. There was a wedding in the main square and in typical Salvadorian style, a man fastened a chair to his back, had horns and ran up and down the streets setting off fireworks. It was quite a sight to see for the team. This continued for a good 20 minutes. The fireworks were of every sound and colour. We were less than 10 feet away at times. A little scary for some, but truly magical.

So, we arrived at the clinic at 7:30am to be greeted by about 50 Hondurans. They had arrived at the clinic at 5:30 awaiting our arrival. Today was an especially challenging day, as the team was a little drained as well, and the sun was out in full force. The patients were certainly more complex as well.

One of the first few patients we saw was a little boy. He was awaiting his prescription at the pharmacy and then all of a sudden! I felt a splatter on my legs. I thought someone had dropped their water. I turned around to see orange vomit all over the place, including up and down the back of my leg. The poor kid was feeling so sick. He was so weak and dehydrated, he did not even have any tears to cry. He was diagnosed with a respiratory tract infection and dengue fever. His mom also looked scared and frustrated as her eyes were teary and red. The little boy just sat nestled in his moms lap as she patiently awaited his medicine. We hope that when he returns to the clinic in 2 days he will have perked up and his fever is under control.

A trend that we have noticed this time around is there are many more patients at the clinic presenting with anxiety and panic attacks. It is too early at this point to say what the source of this trend is; however, I have a feeling it may have to do with residual anxiety from the Civil War.

There definitely have been more kids at the clinic today. We have seen more dysentery and infections. There have also been an increase in the number of hypertension cases and about a half a dozen new diabetic patients. Rae and Jasmine are providing education on how to manage their disease state.

We changed things around with the translators. Daniella moved to Education as our favourite Tia Karla left to visit family in San Salvador before heading home. Augustine, Daniella’s father, has now joined the team. Daniella took control of education at the clinic and then travelled to one of the public schools to provide instruction to students. There are a total of 400 students to be educated. Since the clinic is being held during the day, many of these students will not be able to attend the educational sessions at the clinic. In the next 2 days, our goal is to go to both the elementary and secondary schools to educate all the students and to also go in to the schools and teach the teachers basic first aid.

The pharmacy girls were able to spend a little bit of time with Rae, our wound care specialist, as she took care of a lovely lady in her 80s who had cellulitis. Her right leg was covered from the knee down to her ankles. She had picked at a certain area that had also opened and was weeping. Late and Laura both learned how to properly apply a dressing and what things need to be taken into consideration when assessing such wounds. In the next few days, they will be spending time with Dr O’Connor so they can witness first hand how the doctor develops his diagnosis.

Megan is still hard at work in Registration and the Eye Clinic. Olga, Lois and Megan have all been such a wonderful addition to the team. They are always being helpful and trying to find work to do. They always have a smile on their face and are willing to jump in whenever and wherever. Poor Olga and Megan did not even complain when they sat in the hall counting multivitamins, surrounded by literally 20 to 30 mosquitoes attracted to the sweet scent of the chewable vitamins.

Frank, one of our veteran translators, definitely continues to be a huge asset. The minute he leaves the nurse’s station he is attacked by the team looking for a translator. He never complains and always is willing to help out. His professionalism and fun loving nature has definitely contributed to balancing out the clinic. Some days we see more challenging cases than others, and everyone needs an outlet, something to make them smile. Frank and Ken play that role perfectly, and have honestly done wonders for the team morale.

Ellen and Steph continue to work hard and do their utmost to help. They are such wonderful people. They are always willing to stay later to help out or assist in other stations. Ellen mentioned earlier today how much she has truly enjoyed the clinic and how much she has learned. Steph has commented on how the clinic has exceeded her expectations and it is so much more than she thought it would be.

Sister Peggy, when we left, said an interesting phrase that absolutely rings true with the team.

“We are healed by the healing process of healing others.”

Honestly, could not have said it better myself.