Visit to the National Hospital

Today we visited one of the National Hospitals in Chimaltenango. This is the hospital that people go to that cannot afford the other hospital in Antigua. This hospital has areas for intensive care, surgery, emergency, maternity, peds and some others as well. In each section there are anywhere from 6-20 beds. The first section we walked through was just a womens section in general. They were all there for different reasons and only had one nurse taking care of over 15 patients. I cant imagine one nurse having to be responsible for 15 patients with no help. I think its unsafe for some of our nurses in the states to have 6 ER patients at one time. There is no such thing here for a nurse to have only 6 patients at a time. Even the peds room we visited with all different cases of illnesses had 15 babies being treated by one nurse.
We did go by the newborn room, but we couldn't go in and see the babies :(. However, they opened one of the curtains so we could see inside. The babies born here are so small! We we were told that having a baby over 7 lbs is considered huge! All I could think about was that Jordan weighed 10 lbs when he was born!! haha...
We also got to visit the hospitals ER. There was one ER doctor (Looked like Matos, Mom) and he only had about 4 patients, but they had room for 10 or so. Their ER was the size of Memorial's ED2 I would guess. The room was split into 3 parts and the beds were sectioned off by sheets tied up by wires across the room.
The new maternity building was my favorite part of the tour. Their new buildint is beautiful and will be really nice once it is finished. We went and visited areas where the baby is with the mother 24/7, C-section area and also the natural birth wing. Angie and I got to see a baby that was just a few hours old!! They all look so tiny! What surprises me the most is the age of these ladies having babies. One of them looked like she was 12 years old. It's heartbreaking to see.
At the end of the tour we helped unload two truck loads of hospital equipment to be donated. It was amazing how excited these CNA's, nurses and doctors were about the equipment. The equipment that just a day before we were sweeping off rat poop and dust off of them. It felt good to help deliver this equipment to the people who work there. They seem to be doing their best with what they have.
After seeing the hospital all I could think of was how I DO NOT want to get sick or hurt while I am here. We all agreed that if anything happened to any of us we would trust the people we are with to take care of us rather than the hospital. We are so fortunate back home for what we have. It is incredible to think of the things we complain about back in the states.
This was a very eye opening experience for me and I feel that I will better appreciate what I have in life and not dwell on the objects that I do not posess.

Village Numero Tres

Today was the last village we visited. We only ended up seeing 130 patients and it was one of our slowest days, but still many people to help. This was by far the most rural place we went to. I think we saw less patients because we were so far out. The people in this village were the most respectful! The parents were very kind and made sure their children only took the clothes that they needed and nothing more. It was amazing!
Tracy and Dr. Newton go to do a minor surgery today! Everyone enjoyed that! A woman had a mole on her shoulder that was bothering her and causing her pain all of the time. Cutting someone open seemed to be the highlight of the day for the nurses!! Wish I could have seen it!!
We played soccer with the boys a lot today at their school. We had a lot of time between patients so we got to enjoy time with the kids! They were pretty good! As I have everyday, I had another favorite! They are so kind and love hugs!! I can do hugs all day :o)
A girl about the age of 11 or 12 started crying when it was time for us to leave. She asked if we would be back and we told her that we didn't know. She broke our hearts!! Such a sweet little girl that thanked us over and over! Makes everything worth it even when you are exhausted!!!
I wish we could go out into other villages but that was our last!
As I have said before this has been an amazing experience! This was my first time being in a third world country and I hope it isnt my last! I feel like we have made a difference for these people. I wish we had the time and equipment to keep helping. Aside from working with my children at work, this has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life! I wouldnt trade this experience for anything!

Village Numero Dos

Sorry I havent posted! Internet has been slow and I havent felt great!!
The second village is by far the worst of the three we have visited. The people here are way out in the middle of nothing. We saw over 200 people today. In two days we have already beat the record of patients for the previous team's visits. The day went by fast because we were so busy, but the people in this village were so appreciative and kind. I cannot get over how appreciative the people are. They are always saying thank you and God bless us and our family.
I would have to say the most heart breaking thing I have seen was the 15 year old with two children. This girls first child was 5 years old. I cannot imagine a child having another child at the age of 10. Peyton is 10 years old, and I cannot imagine.
We played duck, duck, goose with the kids today and they swarmed us when they saw the gifts we brought them. Its amazing the things they get excited about!! A lot of them even took our extra boxes to use around the homes.
This experience has been more than wonderful, I can't type in words what it means to me or how I feel about it. It is so much more than I expected being my first time in a third world country. Each morning I want to get up and do it again. I look forward to getting up in the morning and going to help!

Village Numero Uno

 

Well today was our first day out into the villages. None of us are quite sure the name of the village we visited, but we saw 137 patients today. The van/truck adventures keep continuing. We were inches away from an accident, 5 of us were in the back of a pick up with 10 boxes and suitcases, and we witnessed a dog being hit... I cant get over how they drive down here!!! Loco!!
I worked in the farmicia today with Heather. It was crazy the first 15 minutes trying to figure out what medications were what, especially when the majority of them are in spanish! However, we quickly got the hang of it and had a great time!
The kids were adorable!! Trying to communicate with the village kids was so fun!! Heather and I taught them how to say some words in English, but mainly they were helping us with our Spanish! I think they enjoyed our lack of ability to speak Spanish. :o)
We are known as "gringo's" which I have been told means white. We were the first white peopel most of the children have seen! I believed it when I made an adorable little boy (under 1) cry!!! Those of you that know me, know I am baby crazy!!! It broke my heart making him cry!! haha...
Angie took care of a little girl who was 3 months old and weighed 9 lbs... I'm pretty sure she is planning a way to take her home!! They are so sweet and tiny!!
Two girls today found out they were pregnant so we sent them off with bag loads of prenatal vitamins... but we mostly sent the patients off with Tylnol, claritin, scabies medication and multi vitamins!
We had a wonderful day and I cannot wait to visit another village tomorrow!!!



Hostel Dona Isabel

We made it to our hotel!! The drive here was interesting! Bikes, Motorcycles, dogs, landslides and many twists and turns! There were many times I didnt think our school bus would make the turns, but he did!! Crazy drivers, reminds me of Minnesota! :o)
The hotel is BEAUTIFUL!!! The service here is wonderful and everyone is so nice! The difference between our gated area and right outside of the gate is amazing. We are very fortunate! The view is incredible!! I plan on posting pictures soon if it will work!
Happy note--The showers no longer have a "widow maker" so we dont have to worry about touching the wires and being shocked during our showers! :o)

We are planning on going into town to do some shopping and check out the leather store! Hoping I can find some boots!!
Then we will be back to our hotel for dinner under the pavilion and possibly some drinks!

I cant get over how nice and happy everyone seems! For people who do not have much compared to what we have in the states, they are very happy! :o)

It's here!! The adventure begins! I board the plane at 3 a.m. headed for Guatemala to serve for a week to the medically needy and assist in the private school at the Casa Angelina Orphanage. I'm so excited to see the work Mom started down here in 2007. I've wanted to go ever since her return with the great stories of her experience there. I hope to come back with many stories of my own (none that include mudslides or abductions).
I'm not sure how the internet connection will be, but I hope to keep you all updated throughout my trip!
Keep ER Abroad in your thoughts and prayers!!