Last clinic and pool bar

Our final day of clinic has come and gone, both slowly and quickly (a phenomenon that only people who have done a trip like this understand). We got to sleep in, the bus didn't roll out until 8am this morning, and we headed to clinic in La Ceiba, the same place we went on Sunday. With the team having learned from lots of trial and error on this trip, we started by roping off the triage area, which created a whole new level of flow. We were done by one, but in our short time saw two maybe three hundred patients. We had the cutest baby in all of Honduras, Keri and Jenn got into another ear wax competition, Korey and Josh found a whole family with strep, a nine year unattended with a perforated ear drum and an elderly woman who had been beat up a few years ago, and still has an open wound (although she told me she had some bumps on her vein, and boy were we surprised when took the Ace wrap off). Bob and Gretchen cared for her and we sent her off with all the gauze and triple antibiotic ointment left. The lady complimented Bob on his smooth hands and touch ;) We had to say goodbye to Jorge, Wilfredo and our wonderful interpreter Walter, a bittersweet moment for the team. These men worked so hard to make this past week go so smoothly, and make sure there was never a dull moment. After that it was off to Tela, where we will spend the rest of the trip draining the bar at the pool, as Tammi pointed out, perhaps we should have kept the IV equipment with us for tomorrow morning. This R&R is beyond deserved, never have I seen a team of people, let alone strangers, work so hard and so well together. I am so glad I got to be apart of the team this year, and cannot wait to come back time and time again. I speak for myself, though imagine many agree, that I have come away changed. There is something about Honduras that calls me back. The resilience of the people, the beauty of the land, the memories made and the amount that can be learned in such a short time has me hooked. I look forward to being able to relax and reflect on this past week, and cannot wait for the next trip I can join. Thanks for following along on our trip and I hope you have felt moved by some of our stories and are inspired to make a difference, anywhere and everywhere there are people in need, and all it takes is the desire to make a change. This all started with an idea, and has touched thousands of lives all across Honduras and the U.S.  ¡Hasta pronto!

Last clinic and pool bar

Our final day of clinic has come and gone, both slowly and quickly (a phenomenon that only people who have done a trip like this understand). We got to sleep in, the bus didn't roll out until 8am this morning, and we headed to clinic in La Ceiba, the same place we went on Sunday. With the team having learned from lots of trial and error on this trip, we started by roping off the triage area, which created a whole new level of flow. We were done by one, but in our short time saw two maybe three hundred patients. We had the cutest baby in all of Honduras, Keri and Jenn got into another ear wax competition, Korey and Josh found a whole family with strep, a nine year unattended with a perforated ear drum and an elderly woman who had been beat up a few years ago, and still has an open wound (although she told me she had some bumps on her vein, and boy were we surprised when took the Ace wrap off). Bob and Gretchen cared for her and we sent her off with all the gauze and triple antibiotic ointment left. The lady complimented Bob on his smooth hands and touch ;) We had to say goodbye to Jorge, Wilfredo and our wonderful interpreter Walter, a bittersweet moment for the team. These men worked so hard to make this past week go so smoothly, and make sure there was never a dull moment. After that it was off to Tela, where we will spend the rest of the trip draining the bar at the pool, as Tammi pointed out, perhaps we should have kept the IV equipment with us for tomorrow morning. This R&R is beyond deserved, never have I seen a team of people, let alone strangers, work so hard and so well together. I am so glad I got to be apart of the team this year, and cannot wait to come back time and time again. I speak for myself, though imagine many agree, that I have come away changed. There is something about Honduras that calls me back. The resilience of the people, the beauty of the land, the memories made and the amount that can be learned in such a short time has me hooked. I look forward to being able to relax and reflect on this past week, and cannot wait for the next trip I can join. Thanks for following along on our trip and I hope you have felt moved by some of our stories and are inspired to make a difference, anywhere and everywhere there are people in need, and all it takes is the desire to make a change. This all started with an idea, and has touched thousands of lives all across Honduras and the U.S.  ¡Hasta pronto!

Good job Wilfredo

Yesterday was a break from clinics, and most of the group chose to go snorkeling at the bay islands. The boat ride, along with bugs, did not agree with some of team, and beat the rest of us up. The islands were worth it though, blue water, snorkeling and palm trees for days. While we didn't see a lot of sea life, the water was amazing and we had the chance to play with the cutest little villager on one of the islands. We gave him a beach ball, Josh and Korey threw him around, and I carried him home, per his request, through the weaving mini village of shacks. We had time to go to the market, a big barbecue dinner, and bed. Today was quite the adventure, and all I can say is good work Wilfredo. We went to a clinic that we had never been to before, in Olanchito if you follow the itenerary, but actually in the middle of nowhere three hours past Olanchito. Up and over and around the mountain. This bus ride was incredible, amazing views from any window. And four and a half hours either way. We weren't able to even reach the village we were aiming for because the river was too high from the rain. The road had so many turns, with ravines plummeting down one side, and a few stops to stack rocks to make it past slippery parts. To be perfectly honest, while we all trusted Wilfredo's judgement and ability, this bus truly is an extension of his body, we all tried to not look out the windows for a grand majority of it. We played Heads Up!, in English and Spanish, and Dave busted out his guitar to sing and play for us and help calm our nerves. After a lot of confusion and change of plans, crossing the river, or not crossing, clinic outside or inside, we got back in the bus and went back to a town on the safe side of the river and did a forty five minute clinic, because we needed to beat the rain back or would've had to stay the night. I am not sure how many people were seen today, but triage filtered the sick ones versus the vitamin and parasite treatment patients, we did treat some pretty sick patients. There were a few kids with swollen glands, fevers and vomiting, a knee retaining fluid, a man who passed out and hit his truck just a few hours before we arrived and a little girl with a dead bee in her ear. Needless to say it was an exhausting turn around, and people are ready for a well deserved resort stay starting tomorrow after our last clinic. After today it is fair to say that we have been where there is no doctor, and seen the harsh reality that these people live in on a daily basis. Recognizing how hard it is for them to get anywhere with a doctor, if they can find a ride, has been a real eye opener. We did have quite a few laughs today on our little adventure. We met a couple on a motorcycle who proceeded to stop and film us as we all watched the guys pile rocks under the bus so it wouldn't bottom out. We met an old man with his machete out for an afternoon stroll, who posed for pictures, and proceeded to ask me if I could pull his molars. I can not, and neither can anyone in our group. Tony and I set up our care station right next to the coffins. All in all I can't think of better group of people to get stuck on a mountainous road with. As for me now, I am going to pop another Cipro and crash, and I am sure I am not the only one. 

Tocoa

Today was hands down the most organized and smoothest clinic. There is a lot to be said for trial and error, and even more to be said for individual fans at each station. The school that housed us was incredibly prepared, and the group rotated responsibilities giving the kids team a break, runners breaks and providers breaks, all giving the pharmacy some well deserved back up. Today was also one of rougher days. There were some incredibly sick people, this was the first time that we had set up clinics there, and the difference from day one, where the group goes regularly, to a new clinic, was huge. Everything was treated today, and we even ran out some meds. There were infections of all kinds, bladder, UTI, STI, kidney, strep, etc. Gretchen stitched a man's hand, good work! Jennifer pulled out the world's largest ball of ear wax, beating Keri in a wax ball competition. Both patients had ruptured ear drums though, not a result of the wax competition, along with a third later on. Bob has taken it on himself to provide prostate medication for patients, we do not have those with us, and he will be sending these back to the villages. Once again the Gianotto's, Morgan and Maddy survived the kids, and Dave has earned himself runner MVP (probably to not have to go back to kids....) Shannon performed two pelvic exams, in my new boyfriends bedroom. Because his house was behind the school, and we needed privacy. After he hurriedly and slightly embarrassed hid his dirty laundry, we were left alone. I would like to take a moment to explain the house, which is actually a nice one for where we were. Concrete. Cinder blocks. Tin roof. Minimal ventilation. Four bed two bath, with the kitchen apart (which would be more comfortable I'm sure). It was like being cooked alive. No wonder they are all willing to hang out all day watching. The gringos magically assemble, perform and take down a medical clinic in one day. Besides the aforementioned ailments there were also pregnancys' , kidney failure, goiters, a two year old that peed on the floor and a bike limousine. Tomorrow is a much needed, and even more well earned, break. Some of us will be snorkeling and some of us will be vegging by the pool. Thursday it's right back to it! 

Ooooooh man

Oh man. Where to even begin. Clinic today was exhausting, hot, long and with a never ending line. With that being said, there were so many things that reminded us of why we are doing what we are doing. Shannon was given a patient that needed a pelvic exam because she has been bleeding for a month. The exam found that she also had a prolapsed uterus, she tested positive for a bladder infection and was diagnosed with diabetes. At which point she began to sob. This woman fled San Pedro with two of four children when a hit was put out on her fourteen year old son, she has no work and cannot find any. The family has no money for food, and has been eating tortillas with cheese and salt, when possible. Dana was able to get her to talk to the pastor, who is going to get her hooked up with support, and we were able to send her home with medications for everything as well as some food. Korey and Josh cared for a family with three malnourished children. While the infant was receiving a nebulizer treatment, Korey asked the eleven year old what he wanted to be when he grew up, to which the boy replied a firefighter. Since our clinic was being hosted in the fire station, Josh and Korey introduced him to the fire chief. The chief told the boy to be at the fire station every Sunday, and they would allow him to ride along in full uniform. Tony had an infant with polydactyly, two extra finger nubs growing off her current fingers. There was a bilingual teenager, a proud bilingual teenager, who learned English before being deported, who had a domino on his pene, the only word he insisted on using in Spanish. If you would like to know what a domino is, ask Sean, or urban dictionary. Disclaimer, not family friendly. Marylynn had an infant with impetigo, a bacterial skin infection that causes sores mainly on the face. There were so many half cured UTIs, the worlds cutest baby, covered in lice, and an infected eyelash folic. We also had a few more cases of chikungunya, a viral infection in this area spread by an infected mosquito. The virus causes high fever, joint pain, swollen joints, swelling and rashes. Many people complain of never feeling the same after having had it. Keri had a patient whose mother complained of her being lazy. We were fresh out of pills for that one. Pam ran out of glasses. The kids swarmed Dave and Anita today, who are just as tireless as Maddy and Morgan.  They are great entertaining the villagers children while the parents are in line for hours. Overall, despite the fact that we had to cut off our clinic, this, at least from my perspective, was the most successful yet. Our triage team, Beth and Dave, did an awesome job filtering out which patients needed what, and provided basic care as well. I am looking forward to another great day tomorrow with this amazing team! Keep being awesome and staying hydrated. 

Clinical day numero dos

Today was a long day, beginning with a quick breakfast in San Pedro, and then off to La Ceiba for our clinic. The bus ride was a solid few hours, with a stop for snacks and coffees and some fresh sliced pineapple from the side of the highway. We arrived to our clinic about noon, unpacked, set up in rooms without lights and experienced a decent amount of confusion about who should be where. Although it was very agreed upon that the drunken villager who hid machetes should not be there, it took a decent amount of back and forth between the pastor searching for them and me coaxing him to go and wait in a far away place to move past that hiccup. Then it was a homemade lunch of pastelitos (Honduran empanadas) and baleadas, and then it was tshow time. One hundred and fifty six numbers had been given out, and with family members we saw about four hundred patients. Today's group was definitely a tougher one than the last few. It started with a man who, as he was falling off the porch, said he could not see, suffered from diabetes and was going home because his number was too high, so we moved him up. It was followed by a man who was in a bike accident, and received wound care and was stitched up. Bob and I got on the floor to teach some of the patients yoga to relieve muscle tension. Marylynn and Jenn activated a safety plan and prevented a fall, with Sean as their witness, as an old lady attempted to drop her pants in the middle of a room of a dozen people. Pam distributed dozens and dozens of glasses, and will be ready to interpret by tomorrow ;) Korey joined us, straight from graduation and the airport, and threw himself right into clinic. The wonderful kids team had the niños chasing giant inflatable balls, getting tattooed and looking adorable in new sunglasses. A little after six we were back on the bus and moving to our hotel in La Ceiba, where we ate, settled in, played soccer, enjoyed dipping our toes in the pool by the bar and showering. It's off early tomorrow to do it all over again in the town of Sába!

First clinic

Where to even begin? This group is amazing, hats off all the way around. They rallied and recuperated at lightening speed for our first day's clinic. We arrived to Calan in the morning and began to unload all the bins, set up pharmacy, kids area and clinic. The community had already organized a lot ahead of time for us, including assigning numbers to the patients to be seen in an attempt to help create some order for the process (and after having experienced clinics without this in the past I can't stress enough how much this helps). As soon as enough bins were opened and things were being pulled out for pharmacy, we were already moving the first patient through. And from there it didn't stop. There were two hundred and fifty numbers assigned, and outstanding number in and of itself, but most brought family with them, more than doubling our number of patients actually seen. There were some tough cases, and those just further strengthened the people caring for them to keep going, but it also was not too overwhelming of a start. For the providers who are experiencing their first medical mission, it is the perfect transition from the American system to what is done on this trip. And by the end of it there was no doubt that, as if there ever was, that we'd be just fine. The pharmacy did run out of medications, which is always hard to have to turn people away without things like medication for diabetes, but not a single patient left ungrateful or disgruntled. The non medical team had the kids outside running mini track meets, playing games, distributing new toys and playing music with them. (Keep in mind my blog is limited as I myself do not have the pleasure of seeing how great of job everyone else is doing, no one has that pleasure). After lunch and then a quick reopening of clinic, we were packed and on the bus and off to an "orphanage". This is a center for people of a wide range of ages with pretty severe disabilities who are cared for by nuns. Many of the people were left by family members who will never return for them, not even for a visit. This was an INCREDIBLE opportunity, no group has ever been given the chance to go in and serve this group. We arrived and were given an hour time limit, so we quickly dispersed the group, male providers with male interpreters to the male side, and females on the other. The center houses around sixty people, but the nuns did separate out the ones that needed the most care to help. While these people were by no means in perfect health, they were also very far from being in poor health. This group of women really has been working tirelessly to care for each individual, and considering the small size of the staff, we were beyond impressed. We left the center with a few bins of supplies such as vitamins, hydrogen peroxide, pads for beds, wound dressings, etc. The providers charted for each of the more severe patients (each person actually had a medical file, which was beyond impressive, including lab work), and prescribed a few extra meds, and then it was back to the buses with all the tubs. At the house we stil had to finish packing more bins to finish prepping for all the clinics, pack because tomorrow it's off to Ceiba, where we wil stay for the duration of clinics, and enjoy a fabulous home made meal of baleadas, Honduras's national snack. Despite how draining it is to merely exist in this heat, let alone set up, take down and do a clinic, and furthermore two, in one day, this group hasn't failed to make the most of every moment.

Day Uno

The group finally arrived today, exhausted and with kankles for days, but didn't let that stop them from jumping right in. A quick turn around and lunch at the house, and we were off. Some opted to go to the market, and you'll have to ask them how that was, and the rest of us were given a tour of the public hospital. After a decent amount of back and forth with the armed guard at the gate, we were let in where we met Jose, a med student with one year left of service clinics. He graciously showed us what the public system looks like, which is quite frankly the ideal way for everyone to be introduced to health care in Honduras. Knowing that this is the only option for most of the population, and unattainable for many in the areas we're headed to. Beginning with the emergency department, where people line the walls on old foam pads or steady themselves on the fan they brought from home, we saw how patients are filtered through. The impromptu form of triage includes not only patient need, but hospital availability. As one patients mother told me, because many arrive here seeking treatment, if the space isn't available, the sickest go home to die. This is the reality, and this is what the group is trying to help improve, by providing basic preventive care and education, as well as some of the medications that the people have no money to buy, and the hospitals have run out of. Continuing our tour, we were forced to one side of the hall as the other was lined with beds. Jose informed us that at its busiest, the halls are filled with beds, and that is the point when patients are turned away. Pediatric ER was an all inclusive emergency and intensive care unit, for prematurely born babies, to teenagers. We were allowed the chance to see pediatric oncology, a u it sponsored by St. Jude's, but still missing many of the amenities we take for granted. This includes housing for families, who sleep in plastic chairs at the child's bedside, to paper towels to dry your hands after washing. I firmly believe that while this reality may seem dire or beyond hope, it is not. It is actually heading in the right direction, and headed by passionate people who dedicate their lives to making their country a better place. After having seen the reality, the only advice I can offer to all the providers wondering where to even begin tomorrow, is with the first patient that sits in front of you. The rest will follow suit and you will be fine and a huge difference will be made in the lives of hundreds of citizens. I urge you to enjoy your time, take it all in, give all you can (you'll receive back tenfold) and don't forget to deet up. Hasta mañana and happy pill sorting!

Ten days!

For those of you who were able to make it to the packing extravaganza this past Saturday, a huge thank you. For those who missed it, we voted, you have to separate all the pills for clinics when we get there. Just kidding ;) Twenty seven bins of medications, children's supplies and glasses were packed up for what is looking to be an amazing trip. Shannon and David have also informed us that are more medications available for us down there as David got contacted by a charity already set up down there. Everyone worked together so well and we were able to accomplish an incredible amount in a short time. I truly think it's a testament to how well everyone will work together at clinics when, despite the never ending boxes of prenatal vitamins, spirits stayed high. We got our shirts from Sean and should have handed in our medical releases to Stephanie. Now that the logistics of the trip and the bins are all prepped, it's time for you to start getting yourself ready! Shannon had emailed out options for excursions over the past couple of weeks, give those a look. Remember to look at packing items that you can leave behind. Your clothing donations will not only allow you to load up on red beans, Cubans and coffee; they will also make a huge difference in a community that otherwise wouldn't have the means to buy what you are willing to leave behind. For a list of recommended items to pack, see below. As far as souvenir space goes, some of the emptied bins will be used for that if need be. If you plan to bring a water bottle (which can be filled from large water jugs), try and grab a big one! You'll be amazed at how much water you can, and should and in fact will be forced, to down throughout the day. The countdown is dwindling down, so don't hesitate to ask any and all questions. Ten days until your departure, you can count on your hands now! *cue excitement*

Our AWESOME shirts!

 Fun bins and glasses

Teamwork makes the dream work, and fills the prenatal vitamin bottles

Communication with home
David told us we will have a phone down there to fill with minutes to call home

If you have iPhones, FaceTime calls and iMessage will work fine with the wifi, though don't expect it to be as good as from home

There are lots of apps to get too to communicate with those at home. Viber, which does texting as well as calling for free, both parties need to have it as it communicates through the app only (example, I have an iPhone, my dad a Droid, we both have the app and that's how we stay in touch) TextPlus, this is for texting only, but the other phone does not need to have the app. You are assigned  phone number for the app and can text any phone, smart or not, app or not. Skype is a great app to have on your phone too, if FaceTime is not an option. Also Facebook. Always and forever Facebook. We will be posting things throughout the trip, so if you have loved ones that are not yet following our group, they should!


PACKING LIST:
Sun Screen, Sandals (closed toes), Rain Poncho

Shorts/Shirts/comfortable clothing

Mosquito Repellent, Sun Glasses, Passport

Light jacket, Water Bottle, Backpack/Drawstring bag (for daily use to fill with whatever you bring to clinic)

Book/Magazines, Coffee Mug (for bus, if you are a slow coffee 'enjoyer') Stethoscope/otoscope

Comfortable Shoes/socks, Toilet Paper/Kleenex, Note Pad/Pen/Pencil (great to mark down memorable moments form throughout the day, or fun new diseases and fungi that you encounter)

Snacks (there are little convenience stores (pulperias) near lots of clinics, so you can buy snacks there too), Hat, Tennis shoes

Toiletries (shampoo, soap, contact solution, deodorant, razors, etc)

Trinkets (stickers, hard candy, bracelets, tatoos)-optional

RULES OF THE TRIP (don't make us call your mom!)
 Please Use Basic Safety Precautions while visiting Honduras

 Stick with the group and do not wander off during clinics

Always use the buddy system when shopping or while visiting public places.

Do not flash money in public, be very discreet (keeping smaller groups folded together in your wallet makes this easy, so you can pull out a smaller chunk of bills when paying, instead of digging through all of them to find the right color bill)

Passport will be kept in a safe where we stay during our visit

Bring a copy of passport, credit cards, or other information you may need in case a wallet or purse stolen. (obviously to be kept in separate place from your wallet or purse, or it will do no good)

Leave valuables such as jewelry at home as not to bring attention to yourself (like flashy wedding rings, 10 days without it is better than never seeing it again)


Keep electronics put away if not on the bus or at the house

PDF of Medical Terms English-Spanish, then Spanish-English (not necessary, but fun to look over)
MEDICAL SPANISH

¡Vámonos! (Almost)

As the date of our departure rapidly approaches (T-minus 46 days team!) I wanted to start our promised blog to keep everyone up to date and in the loop. I was unable to make an open edit blog that would have allowed the entire team to add entries, but feel free to fill the comments section with questions, general information and more of that awesome team bonding! There are so many different groups within our team, that this entry will be primarily focused on specifying what is going on. For those of you who missed the April 24 meeting, we heard from Diana about the exciting opportunity of offering a clinic at the orphanage this year, a project that the team is hoping to build a long-term, sustainable relationship with. I ask that you all recall, this is the one place where are asked to not take photographs of the children. Let's do all we can to make this visit as positive as possible to be able to continue going back and improving the health care the residents receive. We covered finalities on flights, remember the item has changed to a 15:49 departure, money exchange is still being determined, if Dana is able to arrange the withdrawal from True Disciples, the checks will be due by the next meeting, but plan on LAX if worst comes to it, voted on T-shirts, learned Spanish (¡excelente!), and I will be doing warm-up Spanish on the bus in morning, be ready to sing and learn super early everyday team! We also heard from Beth about her nutrition education in Belize and Brit about her parasite project. We are working on ways to leave behind copies of Where There is No Doctor in the towns we visit, Dr. Cooper has five Spanish hard copies printed, and I will be saving the Spanish PDF to flash drives to leave behind as well. David and Shannon asked that if people are able to contribute an additional $20-25 to help cover the cost of the ointment that was not free this year, they do so. Stephanie reminded people that are missing their Medical Forms, that you are late Try to get this into her ASAP (I will get mine to you this week Steph, oops). Finally, if you have not yet started your vaccines, and plan to do so, your deadline is about to pass. Hurry on over to Travel Medicine!

The terms from the meeting will be emailed to the group along with Marylynn's minutes. Remember the next meeting is May 30, location TBD, and we will be packing the tubs for the clinics and children's team. It is the final meeting before our departure, try your best to make it.

I am so excited to be apart of this year's team. We are going to do so much good work together, especially with this group being the strongest medical team yet. Expect to come back as changed and impacted as you leave the people you are helping. There is truly no better feeling than a Honduran high, the legal kind you guys, and no place more beautiful or so full of beautiful people in the whole world. Don't hesitate to ask any questions you may have about packing, culture or language as you are preparing yourself for the best ten days of your life.

Sunset from our resort in Tela (La Ensenada)

Yes, all the niños are this adorable