Emergencies, Decisions, Relaxation

For some reason, this has been a really long week.  I just couldn’t stop thinking about the weekend and how I have nothing planned.  It’s such a great feeling, but it took a while to get there.

We have two more medical personnel now on the Ranch!  Doctor Bill and Susan who is a PA, but for all intents and purposes is a doctor, too.  The concept of a PA doesn’t exist here in Honduras.  Actually, is it only an American thing?

I worked last weekend, and it was my first weekend that I was on call (meaning being the on call nurse) without Heather being around, JUST in case I needed extra help.  Well, I definitely had my work cut out for me.  Friday, after dinner in my hogar, I heard that there was a visitor (a whole group from the States had come) in the clinic that may have needed some extra help.  I went to make sure things were ok, and to see if Rosa needed help.  It turns out that the visitor needed to stay overnight with IVF (IV fluids) and everything.  I told Rosa she could sleep, well, because she was on call all weekend, and sleeps in the clinic.  So, it was a long night, but exciting because it was more of the inpatient type nursing that I am used to and miss.  I enjoyed being able to check her IV and just make sure that things were ok.  The patient had a pretty good night, and recovered, so she was able to enjoy her week on the Ranch.  Thank goodness!

On Saturday morning when I was about to leave, I somehow became the person to give a breathing treatment to one of the babies, and at the same time an emergency arrived from outside of the ranch.  The little girl either had a febrile seizure or a pretty bad asthma attack.  Either way, by the time we examined her, she was practically back to herself.

All I can say is that I am glad we have Doctor Bill and Susan here to help out.  They are a true blessing!

The week was a pretty good week, albeit long.  We had quite a bit of patients everyday, and I was trying to fight a cold- never a good combo.  As a side not, I feel as though I have gotten sick (besides that whole UTI needing IV antibiotic thing back in January) more in the last few months than I ever have, really.  I think it’s because I am surrounded by the little kids all of the time.  They are always sick with colds and coughing/sneezing on everything and everyone.

Anywho, this week, hogar was nice.  I am feeling a little more a part of things.  I had to make a decision to not go with Casa Suyapa on their beach trip next week (all of the kids get to go to the beach for Semana Santa, just a night.  The boys went Friday into Saturday, and the girls will go Monday into Tuesday.  And, Casa Suyapa goes after Easter).  The time overlaps with the surgical brigade that is coming, and it will be my first brigade.  So, I decided to stay here and help out with that.  I am really looking forward to it!  I have heard from Heather and Kate, and everyone else, that it’s a little bit of the US here in Honduras, in terms of all of the standards that one would live by in any medical situation.  And, I am actually looking forward to it.  Yes, it’s something that sometimes got on my nerves, but it’s all for good reason for the health and safety of every person receiving care.  And, I may even get to scrub in on a surgery or two!

Friday afternoon came, and I couldn’t have been happier!!  I relaxed and napped.  It was SO quiet because more than half of the volunteers were at the beach with the boys.  It was nice to have the quiet, but it was a little weird.  Friday evening was a little lively as Erin and I spent about a half hour trying to kill a scorpion that was in my shower.  Needless to say, we got the job done, but not without a few screams, panic moments, and getting a little wet (we drowned that sucker down the drain).  Looking back, it was HILARIOUS, and we are wimps.

Saturday, Heather and I headed into Tegus.  I just needed some time away from the ranch, and she was picking up and friend from the airport, so I thought I would make the day of it.  It was a little nervous to be by myself for a few hours while she went to get her friend, but it was actually really nice.  I mean, there isn’t much to do, but I walked around, did a little shopping, got some good coffee, and then met up with them for lunch.  I never once felt unsafe or was concerned.  It was really nice (with the exception of our ride home.  I accumulated a lot of stuff, mostly groceries, but it made for a long ride on a PACKED chicken bus.  Such is life.).

Today is Domingo Ramos (Palm Sunday), which kicks off Semana Santa.  All of the employees are off this week, so the university/high school/año familiares/volunteers basically run the show.  All of the volunteers will be in their hogares, and I will be sharing my time between the internal clinic and Casa Suyapa.  It should be a pretty low-key week.  At least I hope.

If I don’t get to talk to you, I hope you have a wonderful and blessed Easter!