Last day
Not a real busy day today. The bus that was to bring patients to the clinic couldn't get to us because of a landslide that blocked their way. The good thing about the clinic here is that the staff will be able to still do the fittings after we leave. Fit one pt that again did well. Stomach getting alittle rumbly, but I'm hoping to hold it all together til I get home! Party tonight for the whole group and then off to the airport at 5am.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
I'm Back!
Day 5
Great day at the lab. Fit a few of the people I cast and they did very well. One young man got right up on the prosthesis and started walking in the parallel bars. After a few trips he progresses outside the bars with crutches and then one crutch. Things like this take awhile for most people, but for some reason, these people do incredibly well. Foods great again! Have I told you about my pillow. I say pillow because I find it at the head of the bed when I go to sleep, but I think its just a pillow case. My fantastic Lovely Wife got me a special bag to put my mattress in to prevent the same bed bug incident from Haiti and the previous trips to Guatemala. Unfortunately, with my incredible memory, I told her it was a twin size bed (it's a full size). I got most of it in, and I think the bed bugs are confused with it, because so far I'm safe. Tomorrows another busy day at the lab. Should be late again. Ehsan said Hi!
Great day at the lab. Fit a few of the people I cast and they did very well. One young man got right up on the prosthesis and started walking in the parallel bars. After a few trips he progresses outside the bars with crutches and then one crutch. Things like this take awhile for most people, but for some reason, these people do incredibly well. Foods great again! Have I told you about my pillow. I say pillow because I find it at the head of the bed when I go to sleep, but I think its just a pillow case. My fantastic Lovely Wife got me a special bag to put my mattress in to prevent the same bed bug incident from Haiti and the previous trips to Guatemala. Unfortunately, with my incredible memory, I told her it was a twin size bed (it's a full size). I got most of it in, and I think the bed bugs are confused with it, because so far I'm safe. Tomorrows another busy day at the lab. Should be late again. Ehsan said Hi!
Sunday, October 16, 2011
I'm Back!
Day 3
OK, this was a pretty busy day! Saw a few more patients and then started modifying the molds in preparation for fabrication. Today was the nicest day so far in regards to no rain, but at the expense of heat. Drank alot, pee'd alittle! Wrestled with a mold of a man that completely lost his limb (hip disarticulation)! He was a big man and the way the mold was prepared, it allowed it to rotate in the modifying stand even when locked down. Doesn't sound real bad while I sit here describing it, but it's kind of like a dog chasing it's tail. I did get it in the end! Tomorrows a full day of modifying the molds we took and fabrication. I can only hope for rain, since fabrication involves using the pizza oven in the un-airconditioned lab. Food is still really good, as are all the people!
OK, this was a pretty busy day! Saw a few more patients and then started modifying the molds in preparation for fabrication. Today was the nicest day so far in regards to no rain, but at the expense of heat. Drank alot, pee'd alittle! Wrestled with a mold of a man that completely lost his limb (hip disarticulation)! He was a big man and the way the mold was prepared, it allowed it to rotate in the modifying stand even when locked down. Doesn't sound real bad while I sit here describing it, but it's kind of like a dog chasing it's tail. I did get it in the end! Tomorrows a full day of modifying the molds we took and fabrication. I can only hope for rain, since fabrication involves using the pizza oven in the un-airconditioned lab. Food is still really good, as are all the people!
Saturday, October 15, 2011
I'm Back!
Day 2
Little rain, lotta of muggy, but a great day. Again, the group I'm with from both Hearts In Motion and ROMP are incredible! Loaded up the Toyota van and headed off to the clinic in the am to start seeing pts. Managed to see about 10-12 pts between all of us. Great lunch and dinner made by Luis's wife! Some kind of chicken thingie with rice for lunch and pasta and guacamole (just like my mom used to make) for dinner.
Took a cast of this little girl. She talked and talked the whole time and I have no clue what she said. Probably questioning my competency. Should have her fit by Tuesday or Wednesday
Heavy rains from the Hurricane a few days ago has the river running pretty fast, so I think I'll stay out of it
Busy day again tomorrow, casting and modifying.
Little rain, lotta of muggy, but a great day. Again, the group I'm with from both Hearts In Motion and ROMP are incredible! Loaded up the Toyota van and headed off to the clinic in the am to start seeing pts. Managed to see about 10-12 pts between all of us. Great lunch and dinner made by Luis's wife! Some kind of chicken thingie with rice for lunch and pasta and guacamole (just like my mom used to make) for dinner.
Took a cast of this little girl. She talked and talked the whole time and I have no clue what she said. Probably questioning my competency. Should have her fit by Tuesday or Wednesday
Heavy rains from the Hurricane a few days ago has the river running pretty fast, so I think I'll stay out of it
I'm Back!
Day 1 Guatemala:
Started the day at 3 am for the 5:30 flight out of O’Hare. Going with an incredibly dedicated group of professionals to spend one week in the mountains of Zacapa Guatemala. The flight to Houston was uneventful (which means a lot from a guy who would rather get a root canal than fly). Had to circle the airport in Guatemala for awhile before landing due to the weather. The airport is new in Guatemala and looks real modern! I asked if why we couldn’t just see the pts here rather than going on the 5 hour bus ride, but that fell on deaf ears! Five hours on roads that resembled the worst pothole streets in Chicago in a school bus. Stopped at a rest stop (gas station) for lunch. Everything was normal except for the guy walking around with the biggest friggin' gun. Definitely curbed my shoplifting tendencies! Only had to stop about 4 times due to mud slides so nothing to worry about there (I need my Haiti zanac). The hotel we stay in is incredibly nice with a pool and good food (and beer). Chicken, vegetables and mashed potatoes for dinner. They’re calling for rain the whole week, so hopefully it won’t be too hot. Staying in a room with a friend from Loyola so that is also real nice. Going to bed early since I’ve been up two weeks so far today. Anxious to get started tomorrow. Looks like we really have a busy schedule. Should be working 12 hour days, so this may be the first and last blog entry.
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