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The team has spent its first day of real work and it was a success. We took off in the Uber-bus, piloted by the intrepid Elmer, after a delicious breakfast at Alfredo house. We drove innocently along the highway, turned left, and went straight up the side of a mountain. You can tell this is my first trip, so please bear with the "golly gee" moments. After countless hairpin turns and views over cliffs with no guardrail, we arrived at Buena Vista, Rio Bonito. And the gates to the school were locked. There was already a big crown milling around the entrance and a few had snuck under the barbed wire, but eventually the important people with keys arrived and we set up in haste.
Our co-leader Al discusses meds and other
important things with Dori and Claire
The weather was perfect. A cool mountain breeze kept the entire day in the 70's, the sun was bright, and the sky was blue. Separate stations were set up for dental, de-worming, eye glass fitting, and medical. Work commenced. I was paired with Zenaida, a fantastic nurse whose English and Spanish were perfect. I think I was given this privilege being the new guy and looking the most clueless. We saw many coughs, diarrhea, headaches, and "bone pain"...and even a couple of "brain pain" (i.e. a literal interpretation for headache). But I also saw advanced scleroderma, significant failure to thrive, acute asthma, and cuteness beyond belief. My nurse insisted on photographs with all the babies and one girl she swore was "Dora the Explorer." Lunch was delicious but fast, and the afternoon ended really quickly. I saw 55 patients. Al saw 56 but who's counting and it's not a competition...because doctors aren't competitive at all :)
The packing took no time and was assisted by dozens of smiling children. They carried more than I did. Then down the mountain with Elmer, an easy drive beside Lake Yojoa, and a blessed arrival at Alfredo house. We feasted on fried Yucca, other delicious vegetables, and birthday cake in celebration of Mary's birthday, and Laura's first anniversary. A shower was now in order so that we could sit close together at devotions and not hold our noses.
It was a fantastic day. I hope I can keep up with this pace.
Phil Dawson
for the Reveille Team
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