Day 5

Today we joined a group of Honduran doctors who are a part of the Christian Medical Association here in Honduras. They have opened up a private practice, Centro Medico Lucas (CML), that provides affordable medical care in a Christian environment for both affluent patients and those who can’t afford specialist’s care. There is also a clinic available only to pastors and their families where a consult costs just $5.00. Their goal in this second clinic is to educate pastors and their families in a country where the belief is often that seeking medical care indicates a lack of faith.

Our doctors and dentist set up in six of the offices and from the CML provided adult neurology, OB-GYN, orthodontics, and dermatology consults. Courtney and I were in charge of triage, but….wonder of wonders…we were given two nursing students (white scrubs and all!) to work with. They were excited to help, so they really did most of the work. After about 30 minutes, however, we noticed that almost everyone was reported as having either a blood pressure of 120/80 or 110/70. Then, at the end of the day we noticed that the stethoscopes we had loaned them had been turned to the wrong side all day, so it’s unlikely they were able to hear anything anyway. J

Our nursing experience of the day included a man of about 40 years of age who had a disease called Filiarisis.  Basically it is a parasite that gets inside your vein and prevents peripheral venous return.  His right leg was swollen to 4x the size of his left leg and had oozing open lesions on various aspects of the leg.  We dressed the wound with a topical medication and wrapped it in gauze.  He was instructed to return tomorrow for a more proper dressing change as we did not have the correct supplies to adequately meet his needs.  So we are excited to see him again tomorrow and dress his wound for a second time!

Since today was especially set aside for our doctors to give second opinions for many of the regular patients at the CML, each visit took MUCH longer. For that reason, Courtney and I finished triaging long before the last patient was seen and had time on our hands for practical joking.

I have seen a different side of Mandie after today.  One of the doctors passed us in the hall and said, “Why do you two always look like you are up to something?”   We came upon a ziploc bag that in the process of being made, somehow lacked its opposing side.  So if you can imagine tearing a Ziploc bag down the sides, it appears as if the bag is whole.  We took the bag, and with puppy dog eyes asked each and everyone of our team members (and even some patients) to please open the bag for us…we were having trouble.  After several doctors tried, and had yet to notice that the problem was the fact that a side of the bag was missing, a competitive spirit broke out.  Each doctor wanted to be the one to open the bag first!  Haha – I have never tried to contain laughter like this.  It was absolutely hilarious as each doctor tried their best to out do the others and pull and tear to open the bag.  The dentist went into a long diagnostic explanation on why the bag would not open properly and the gastroenterologist had to actually sit down, he was so engrossed in his project. When we finally confessed, everyone got a great chuckle.

Our other fun for the day came when we discovered a very childish practical joke involving our name tags. We gently yet forcefully applied our “Mandie and Courtney” name tags to the backs of many team members.  Haha – it was quite funny.

On the way home from the clinic, Mandie and I rode in the truck with Jorge and his girlfriend Ana.  Due to the time of night, we got stuck in Honduran traffic – which if you have ever been to Honduras, you know that this can be quite an exciting adventure. There are absolutely NO rules of the road…and no one has the right of way…anything goes!  Since the trip was a little longer than planned, we decided to play cards.  Go fish was the game of choice, and Ana had NEVER played.  Although she was the rookie, she beat both of us and was quite excited about her victory! 

After a delicious dinner we were again challenged to a game of fuseball by two 19 year old Hondurans.  Surprisingly, from who knows where, we put up a great fight and only lost by 2 points!!!  I am pretty sure we surprised them just as much as we surprised ourselves.

Our team is now at the grocery store and Mandie and I stayed behind to take showers and get a few things done.  The night will be filled with excitement as we make sandwiches and restock the pharmacy…

Although I am diligently trying to learn the language, I have not picked up enough to understand the conversations  Mandie holds with the natives.  However, there is one thing I have discovered.  Laughter is universal.  It does not change no matter where you go.  I have laughed a lot during my time here and plan on laughing much more!   It is so wonderful because even though I cannot communicate with the people, we can laugh together, and laughter is such a blessing from God.  I believe He has laughed a lot this week while watching over Mandie and myself.   I am sure we have caused laughter in the Heavens on several occasions.  Isn’t God just wonderful!

Oh yes…and p.s….we have a little friend who lives in the corner of our room.  He/she is a mouse (We are going to believe she is she because she is in the girls room) and I really want to name her.  I have yet to see her but she has been spotted twice today by Mandie and Mrs. Ann.  I will keep you posted on our little friend…

Photos of the day:

My theme verse for the past few months. I did my devotional morning on this verse, so it's the one that the Bible at the eye glasses station is open to. 

Our nursing students, Waleska and Karina.