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!

Two other pics

Um, well... I like this pic of the group in front of the D&D sign. :)

And, I just wanted to show an updated picture of my foot, for those of you who may be interested.  Again, it doesn't look as red as it is, and there are more blisters popping up everyday.  So. weird.

The end. :)

Brigades and Weekend Getaways

Welp, I missed a post over the weekend, I know, BUT I have an excuse.  I went away with some of the other volunteers for a little weekend get away.  It was great, and I will talk more about that in just a sec.

Before the weekend away, I had a busy, busy week.  Seven doctors from Spain visited for a medical brigade (as opposed to a surgical one), doing as many consults as there were people.  There were 3 gynecologists, 2 pediatricians, 1 general medical doctor and a psychiatrist (he actually gave out a ton of reading glasses, not a huge need for psychiatry).   The week started on Sunday with orienting them to the external clinic (thank God Heather and Kate came back early from their other brigade they were on) and answering their questions.  They definitely were eager to help out and see what the most needs were.  They had some great ideas and it seems that they want to help in the future.

Monday through Thursday we had a ton of consults.  We totaled almost 400 patients, not including the people we saw in 2 neighboring towns.  The doctors gifted us with some medications and other supplies, which is always appreciated and feels a little like Christmas morning.

Tons of people came for the brigade!

Heather and Kate getting things done.

One of the pediatricians.

Thursday afternoon I was able to tag along with the group to Las Pilas, where a small clinic was going to be set up.  Heather nor our driver (nor me, obviously) had ever been before, so we had no idea it was basically at the top of a mountain.  The road was a long windy, dirt road that took us an hour to get up.  It really had some breathtaking views.

Once we arrived, we were greeted by a TON of people waiting for consults.  We set up in the one room school (yes, where all of the grades are taught by one teacher) because there was more room than the government run Centro de Salud.  We stayed until just before it got too dark (no lights in the schoolhouse), seeing a lot of patients.  These doctors sure knew how to be speedy.  I wish we had a better count of how many we saw.

Everyone waiting.

The school made into a clinic.

Our admission and pharmacy area, with Heather.

It was neat for me to visit this little town.  There isn’t much too it.  A few pulperias (small store that sells snacks and a few other things), the school, Centro de Salud, and some other things that I didn’t get to see.  A lot of houses, everywhere.  Everyone was so eager to see the doctors and appreciated the little that was done for them.  Even if the kids had no shoes, or people were wearing ripped clothes, etc, they wore them with pride.  Appearance is a big deal here in Honduras, and you make the best of what you have.  In general, the people just seemed to be genuinely happy.  Even though they know they don’t have much, they have what they have, and are with their family and friends, which is enough.  Great little lesson, huh?

After the busy week, and an unusually busy Friday, I was finally ready to hop on the bus (or 2) to Lago de Yajoa!  Lago means lake, and yes that is where we went.  The lake is HUGE and beautiful.  It’s so different than the hustle and bustle of Tegus.  It was about a 5 hour trip, with 2 buses, a little waiting and getting a jalón (hitch hike, literally- don’t worry, we only get jalóns on the ranch, or in touristy parts of Honduras) from a nice, young guy that had a Hyundai Santa Fe (popular here!).  We made it to D&D Brewery around 7:30, had a drink and chatted.   Yes, it is a brewery with American beer, owned by an American from Virginia, but it is also a hostel, where travelers from all over convene.  It’s a pretty cool place.

Saturday, which was also St. Patrick’s Day… didn’t realize that until the day of, consisted of sleeping in a bit, drinking good coffee, eating REALLY delicious food, and taking a trip to a waterfall and hot springs.  Lago is know for it’s really large waterfall that you can walk behind, but I didn’t do that this time.  I will be going back in the future, just to make sure I can see it, and of course to get away again.  But, I digress.

The other smaller waterfall was still pretty awesome.  It fell into this pool of water that we swam in and enjoyed our time.  The current was so strong in the water that you could swim and stay in one place.  I enjoyed that.

So pretty!

Wooo!

We took a little break to get some lunch in a nearby town.  Most towns have comedors (kitchen or cafeteria), which are usually a little room with tables that make typical Honduran food.  It is so goooooood!

Church, obviously.

Parque Central

After we were all nice and full, we headed to the hot springs.  As you know (if you have been following my blog for a while), I visited the hot springs in Copan.  They were very cool, and very organized and such.  Now, the hot springs in Lago, are not visited much by tourists, and you can tell.  We all need to take a few risks every now and then, right?  I mean, it’s what keeps you young and sharp, and yes, maybe stupid.  Well, this was one of those times.  The hot springs are really cool!  But, you have to go through this small little cave that has boiling water running through it, and you have to jump on different rocks to get through the cave, to get to the part of the water that you can wade through, to get to where you can relax and enjoy the warmth.

About to go through... yes, that is steam b/c the water is THAT hot.  In some parts where it is boiling, some Hondurans put corn in to boil.  Yup.

So pretty!

Everyone!

Me and my roomie, Amanda

We all made it through, no problem, albeit, scared for our lives because we didn’t want to boil to death.  We enjoyed our time in the sun and relaxed in the hot tub like water.  Things got a little crazy when we were returning.  Someone had to make the day interesting, and that someone was me!  Yup, and I did that by slipping and falling into the water, just before we went back into the cave with some of the hottest water.  Um, it hurt like HE**.  Holy moly!  I screamed for a second, and freaked out because we STILL had to walk back through the worst part.


Man, that was a worrisome moment.  We made it through, and back to the town where we had lunch so I could get ice.  When we got back to the brewery (I am not even going to get into the taxi driver situation, please ask me about it sometime!) I soaked my foot for hours in ice water and took some codeine (given to me by a nurse from New Zealand who was very pushy, but knowledgable).

I know this looks like it's just sunburned, but trust me, it was red, and STILL is.

Um, in ice for a long time!

Things that the nurse gifted me.

Sunday was nice, we woke up and enjoyed some more coffee and good food and then made our way back to the Ranch.  When I got back, I was even able to Skype with Grammy for her 80th birthday!  So, even though things were a little crazy, it was a very enjoyable weekend, spent with some very enjoyable people. :)

This week has been busy and I really feel like my Spanish stinks.  It's also been really hot this week, where I feel like I am sweating in places that shouldn't sweat.  Ha.

Anyway, that's all for now!

Paz, Amor y Abrazos!

Fundraising and Events

Bare with me for a sec, just a quick plug:

As you all know, NPH can't run without the help of the awesome people who donate their time and money.  Friends of the Orphans is the fundraising organization that supports NPH and has many upcoming events.  Please check them out!

Also, please keep all of NPH in your prayers.  There are so many wonderful things happening at each of the homes, and by God's grace will continue to be around to help the kids that need it most!

Cumpleaños y Proyecto Familiar

There are a lot of fun things that are planned for the kids on the ranch: excursions, games, various activities on the weekends and other such things.  Birthdays aren’t usually celebrated on the day of, but as a group at the end of the month, when all of the kids go into the city for the day, receive a little money, get something they want, and gorge on pizza (at Pizza Hut, no less.  It’s a really big deal around here).

Because Casa Suyapa (remember, that’s my hogar!) houses the younger kids, they don’t get to go into the city, so they do their own thing every couple of months.  It’s a pretty big deal!  The tias and tios are up early preparing food all day, streamers and balloons are hung, and cakes are made.  Usually, at dinner we all sit on the floor in a circle, but for the birthday bash the tables and chairs are brought out.  I was looking forward to going and seeing what it was all about.  We did a lot of eating and dancing!  And, the kids had a blast! 

Roberto taking a swing at the piñata

This is what happens when the kids go for the candy!  MAYHEM!

The amazing enchiladas!

All the kids ready to eat, and some decorations.

Yohan and me

Yohan, Me and Yafet

It’s not a requirement for the volunteers to do something for birthdays, but we usually do.  I was thinking about what I wanted to do before I even left the States, which is just silly because I had no idea what hogar I would be with and all of that.  But, once I found out I was with the little boys, I was a little stumped.  Things run a little differently in Casa Suyapa than the rest of the hogares, which made me a little unsure of what to do.  Some volunteers bake a cake for every birthday or give a card or something of the sort.  Doing a cake was out of the question, so I settled on a homemade card and a little goodie bag.  I only have twelve boys, so I have already made them and will make their card when the time comes closer.  I think I will actually get more boys throughout the year, as the ranch is always getting new kids.  I gave my first one to Angel, and he seemed to like it.  He was very discreet about putting his bag in his locker, under his pants, right away so no other little boy would take it!

Just a little something, and yes, there are silly bands in there.

Another fun thing for the kids is Proyecto Familiar (family project), where the kids who have siblings on the ranch are able to share a meal and spend time together.  There is always so much going on, that the siblings really don't see each other that often, sadly.  A volunteer from years ago saw a need, developed a program and it has now spread to all of the NPH homes.  The evening looks a little different at each home, but all has the same purpose.  Here in Honduras, we have the kids come to the volunteer house where we make dinner, usually baleadas (traditional Honduran meal) or pizza.  It’s really a fun time, and the kids look forward to it (once they know when there time is, and know you, they will constantly ask you about it).  Because there are so many families, proyecto only happens for them once, maybe, twice a year, so it really is a special time.  And, it’s a good time for the volunteers to spend some extra time with their kids, and get to know others they normally wouldn't have the chance to.

This was after my first proyecto where one of the girls braided my hair.  I was excited about it!

And the awesomeness of after the braids.

Another proyecto with the boys and DeeDee, another volunteer.  We made baleadas!

Cute family!

These next pictures are courtesy of Hunter:

Jorge and Aldo holding our AMAZING pizzas

We were very pleased with them. :)

Khati, Aldo, Me, Jorge, Manuel and Hunter