Today was a much smoother day because we knew what to expect and were a little more prepared for things. It was more of the same surgeries for us - we had about 15 for both rooms. There were some difficult moments but all in all things went well! We were fed again by Lupe and Mary Pat and I had a nice chat with her at lunch - what a sweet lady!
I am really too tired to writ much else! Tomorrow we go to the Mennonite village which will be a nice break from the last 2 days! Hopfully I will be able to report more tomorrow! Miss you all!
Sunday, January 31, 2010
A VERY LONG day!!
We all have our strengths, our gifts from God. A lot of those gifts were tested and used today as we began doing what we were sent to do down here in Belize.
John's leadership and calming force among us is very comforting - knowing someone always "has your back"! Dana's ability to spread the Word and put it in practical terms for all of us to understand sets the tone for the day and Lynn's gift of voice soothes us!
We set out for the hospital after breakfast and devotions about 7:30. Not knowing what to expect we were all a little excited and anxious about what was to come. Let me just tell you - these old legs have not worked this many long hours in a long time but they somehow made it through! And of course I left my support socks in the van because I used them to plug up a hole in the van's vent that was broken to keep the artic cold air from blowing on me! haha
Our OR team consisted of Mary pat, myself, Dr Devore and Ann and the other team was Jan, Mona, Dr Welker and Dr helmick. We got the ball rolling with a cute little 15 mos old for PE tubes. As we left mom at the door, i thought it doesnt matter what country you are in - the love of mother and child knows no boundaries.
Things are very different (to say the least) doing surgery here and you definitely have to go with your gut and use whatever resources you have! Luckily most of our cases did not need optimum sterility and we did the best we could keeping a "clean" environment. We missed our blanket warmer though! the rooms are very cold and their was only about 4 blankets in the whole department! so we used those for the kids. We had to use OR linen drapes to cover the adults! The Beletian people are very stoic though and it didnt seem to phase them like it would us! They all walked into the ORs and only adults left on stretchers.....babies left in our arms.
Ann did an amazing job with anesthiesia, considering she had no gas monitors, just an oximeter, BP and sometimes the EKG even worked!!
Kevin Devore is making a documentary for film school so he was there filming as much as he could tolerate. Never seeing his dad work before he wasnt sure how his stomach would take it but he did very well. Renee Welker (docs daughter)was taking photos for the general blog and hung in there with us to the very end!!
Lupita had lunch for us - chicken tamales wrapped in plaintain leaves which were very spicy, some said they loved them but mine and John H's were full of bones! But the chocolate cake was a God send!!!
As the day went on we certainly go our rhythmn and things went well. The other team ended with a hemi-thyroidectomy and it was taxing for them to do it at the end of the day. The set up (back table etc) was like non I've ever seen since I started 30 years ago!
We left the hospital about 9:45pm! Ric D picked up a case of Belikin beer and YES I did drink a beer! It was a fun ride back - a van of 15 very tired people chatting about the day!
We got to Tony's Inn @ 10:30- they saved us dinner for those who wanted it - I opted for some delicious homemade vanilla ice cream - a quick check of email and into bed! I was exhausted! I know that rooster will be calling too soon tomorrow!
John's leadership and calming force among us is very comforting - knowing someone always "has your back"! Dana's ability to spread the Word and put it in practical terms for all of us to understand sets the tone for the day and Lynn's gift of voice soothes us!
We set out for the hospital after breakfast and devotions about 7:30. Not knowing what to expect we were all a little excited and anxious about what was to come. Let me just tell you - these old legs have not worked this many long hours in a long time but they somehow made it through! And of course I left my support socks in the van because I used them to plug up a hole in the van's vent that was broken to keep the artic cold air from blowing on me! haha
Our OR team consisted of Mary pat, myself, Dr Devore and Ann and the other team was Jan, Mona, Dr Welker and Dr helmick. We got the ball rolling with a cute little 15 mos old for PE tubes. As we left mom at the door, i thought it doesnt matter what country you are in - the love of mother and child knows no boundaries.
Things are very different (to say the least) doing surgery here and you definitely have to go with your gut and use whatever resources you have! Luckily most of our cases did not need optimum sterility and we did the best we could keeping a "clean" environment. We missed our blanket warmer though! the rooms are very cold and their was only about 4 blankets in the whole department! so we used those for the kids. We had to use OR linen drapes to cover the adults! The Beletian people are very stoic though and it didnt seem to phase them like it would us! They all walked into the ORs and only adults left on stretchers.....babies left in our arms.
Ann did an amazing job with anesthiesia, considering she had no gas monitors, just an oximeter, BP and sometimes the EKG even worked!!
Kevin Devore is making a documentary for film school so he was there filming as much as he could tolerate. Never seeing his dad work before he wasnt sure how his stomach would take it but he did very well. Renee Welker (docs daughter)was taking photos for the general blog and hung in there with us to the very end!!
Lupita had lunch for us - chicken tamales wrapped in plaintain leaves which were very spicy, some said they loved them but mine and John H's were full of bones! But the chocolate cake was a God send!!!
As the day went on we certainly go our rhythmn and things went well. The other team ended with a hemi-thyroidectomy and it was taxing for them to do it at the end of the day. The set up (back table etc) was like non I've ever seen since I started 30 years ago!
We left the hospital about 9:45pm! Ric D picked up a case of Belikin beer and YES I did drink a beer! It was a fun ride back - a van of 15 very tired people chatting about the day!
We got to Tony's Inn @ 10:30- they saved us dinner for those who wanted it - I opted for some delicious homemade vanilla ice cream - a quick check of email and into bed! I was exhausted! I know that rooster will be calling too soon tomorrow!
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Screening Day
After much needed sleep I woke about 4:30 (stillCincy time) and heard the rooster crowing outside! The sun wasn't even upyet! didnt seem to wake Mary Pat though! But we were up and going to breakfast by 6:30.They had some scrambled eggs, refried beans, toast, juice and coffee
.
John & Dana led us in some morning devotions out on the deck with the sun shining on us! It was a beauiful morning and a good way to hear God's word to sset us in t the proper frame of mind. We had a few songs to sing led by Lynn who has a wonderful voice, and then we were back
in the vans for our journey to the hospital.
We started unloading all of our supplies and we went to work sorting everything and getting the OR's ready for tomorrow
They havea2ORs and things were pretty scarce. We had an abundant supply of things to give and betwsurgeryscheduleeen Jan, Mona, Andy, and I we separated,sorted,stacked,and organized most all of it! MaryPat was taken hostage to set up the surgery schedule with the surgeons.
I talked to a few of the workers from surgery and they didnt have any surgeries today-but were supposed to do a total
hip but the patient cancelled! I would have LOVED to see that!We are so fortunate with all that
we have and the fact that they could do that with so little is astounding!!they we all really sweet and helpful to us.
Once we felt we were settled, we went outside to have a granola bar and some water. Simple pleasures!Then we went to the waiting area where everyone was being seen by the doctors to determine if they were a surgical candidate or could be seen medically.The room was packed and outside the hospital there were people waiting to come in!!!
One man waited 12 hours last year and never got seen so I am happy to say that he was one of the first on our list for tomorrow!
THere were 5 rooms/docs seeing all the patients and 2 anesthesia screening for surgery. They did an amazing job and as long as they were fed and watered they pressed on!
The worship team did a great job keeping the kids entertained jumping rope and painting faces.They are praying
for and with these people daily and happy to be spreading the word of God!
Jan and ventured outside to sit in the shade for a bit and to talk to some of the locals. The children are adorable and really wanted to sit and talk to us and play simple games. We had a mean game of one potato 2 potato....going for a little while until John came and told
us we were leaving.They were sorry to see us go and told us they would miss us!! So cute!
Back to Tony's Inn for some cleanup and I heard they are serving balckened chicken tonite-YUM!
We start surgery tomorrow at about 8m and have about 15 cases! Cant wait!
.
John & Dana led us in some morning devotions out on the deck with the sun shining on us! It was a beauiful morning and a good way to hear God's word to sset us in t the proper frame of mind. We had a few songs to sing led by Lynn who has a wonderful voice, and then we were back
in the vans for our journey to the hospital.
We started unloading all of our supplies and we went to work sorting everything and getting the OR's ready for tomorrow
They havea2ORs and things were pretty scarce. We had an abundant supply of things to give and betwsurgeryscheduleeen Jan, Mona, Andy, and I we separated,sorted,stacked,and organized most all of it! MaryPat was taken hostage to set up the surgery schedule with the surgeons.
I talked to a few of the workers from surgery and they didnt have any surgeries today-but were supposed to do a total
hip but the patient cancelled! I would have LOVED to see that!We are so fortunate with all that
we have and the fact that they could do that with so little is astounding!!they we all really sweet and helpful to us.
Once we felt we were settled, we went outside to have a granola bar and some water. Simple pleasures!Then we went to the waiting area where everyone was being seen by the doctors to determine if they were a surgical candidate or could be seen medically.The room was packed and outside the hospital there were people waiting to come in!!!
One man waited 12 hours last year and never got seen so I am happy to say that he was one of the first on our list for tomorrow!
THere were 5 rooms/docs seeing all the patients and 2 anesthesia screening for surgery. They did an amazing job and as long as they were fed and watered they pressed on!
The worship team did a great job keeping the kids entertained jumping rope and painting faces.They are praying
for and with these people daily and happy to be spreading the word of God!
Jan and ventured outside to sit in the shade for a bit and to talk to some of the locals. The children are adorable and really wanted to sit and talk to us and play simple games. We had a mean game of one potato 2 potato....going for a little while until John came and told
us we were leaving.They were sorry to see us go and told us they would miss us!! So cute!
Back to Tony's Inn for some cleanup and I heard they are serving balckened chicken tonite-YUM!
We start surgery tomorrow at about 8m and have about 15 cases! Cant wait!
Friday, January 29, 2010
Hola! We made it! After a very long day of traveling we finally reached our destination. WE first were delayed a bit in Cincy to de-ice the plane and then we were off to Houston for our conecting flight. We only had about 18 minutes to board the next plane so we were racing on tram and foot to geth there. As we approached the gate we thought we were supposed to be at -we find they have changed it and and YeP you guessed it -it was all the way down the other way! But we got there in time and got right on the plane (they were waiting for us!)
After getting our bags we proceeded to get loaded into the vans (quite a long process) and off to lunch
We had some fish, very dry rice and beans, a small salad with no dressing and a mystery orange drink which I opted not to try.
It was something we all needed because the little muffins they gave us on the plane didnt quite hold us for very long. Then back in the vans for a very bumpy ride to Orange Walk Hospital about 45 minutes away. The drive there was pretty desolate in most places with occasional huts and small houses passing by. When we reached the twn there were stores etc but most looked very run-down.
We were greeted at OW hospital by Lupita (a retired nurse) who gave us a tour of the place. What an eye opener! All I can say is "We mare very blessed back home!"
They were doing surgery on someone so we werent able to see the OR's but kind of got the "lay of the land" to see what we were up against for tomorrow.
After that we had about a 30 minure dark ride to our hotel - Tony's Inn and we al cheered!!! It was about 8:00 (Cincy time) and we were all pretty exhausted!
They directed us to a ery nice outdoor dining area to eat. There was a wonderful breeze blowing and view of a dock going out into the water - but I dpont know what water it was! THere wa a full moom and it was all a welcome site!
So of course we all bellied up to the bar for a "refreshment"! The beer in town is called Bellikin and I was told it was very good! I opted for a cranbery vodka and it went down pretty smooth! We had a lovely diner of shrimp fajitas and then off to our rooms
The rooms were clean and adequate so we settled in and hit the sack! Cant wait for the adventure in the morning! Pictures to come soon!
After getting our bags we proceeded to get loaded into the vans (quite a long process) and off to lunch
We had some fish, very dry rice and beans, a small salad with no dressing and a mystery orange drink which I opted not to try.
It was something we all needed because the little muffins they gave us on the plane didnt quite hold us for very long. Then back in the vans for a very bumpy ride to Orange Walk Hospital about 45 minutes away. The drive there was pretty desolate in most places with occasional huts and small houses passing by. When we reached the twn there were stores etc but most looked very run-down.
We were greeted at OW hospital by Lupita (a retired nurse) who gave us a tour of the place. What an eye opener! All I can say is "We mare very blessed back home!"
They were doing surgery on someone so we werent able to see the OR's but kind of got the "lay of the land" to see what we were up against for tomorrow.
After that we had about a 30 minure dark ride to our hotel - Tony's Inn and we al cheered!!! It was about 8:00 (Cincy time) and we were all pretty exhausted!
They directed us to a ery nice outdoor dining area to eat. There was a wonderful breeze blowing and view of a dock going out into the water - but I dpont know what water it was! THere wa a full moom and it was all a welcome site!
So of course we all bellied up to the bar for a "refreshment"! The beer in town is called Bellikin and I was told it was very good! I opted for a cranbery vodka and it went down pretty smooth! We had a lovely diner of shrimp fajitas and then off to our rooms
The rooms were clean and adequate so we settled in and hit the sack! Cant wait for the adventure in the morning! Pictures to come soon!
Monday, January 25, 2010
This has definitely become a labor of love!!!! I am going to be taking a very old used laptop to update my blogs on but if it gets the job done then so be it!!! The spacebar doesnt work very well so Ihave to type slowly to make sure the spaces go where they are supposed to be!!! Hopefully it will work ok in Belize!! We leave very early thursday morning so I will try and post something that evening to let you know I've arrived!
Saturday, January 23, 2010
a new decade
Saturday, Jan 23 2010
Today starts my journey into a new decade of a more meaningful life! I will be going to Belize for a medical mission trip in 5 days and today is our "packing meeting" to get all our supplies ready. I am very excited to be going and seeing a different culture than mine back in Anderson township, Ohio and looking forward to helping those in need. I am very blessed in my life and want to "pay it forward" to those less fortunate than me and I am faithful that God will lead me in the right direction as to where I am to be in this new decade of my life.
Our journey is short - only a week of service but we will be doing surgeries on the local people that are not usually not available to them. It will be an adventure like nothing I have ever done before and I will be trying to add daily postings of my experiences in this adventure and those that are to come! Please stay tuned!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
