Our First Day of Clinic
Last but not Least
Monday, our first clinical day, started bright and early with a sea of volunteers from Guatemala and the U.S. eager to begin seeing patients. One could look around and see dozens of chairs filled with patients of all ages. Each section rallied their and reconfigured clinic space to best serve the patients.
There were rare opportunities to sit as we reassured anxious parents; evaluated and treated illnesses; provided referrals to higher level of care and gave new mobility options. Medicines and referrals were dispensed against the back drop of thank you ( gracias), God bless you (que Dios te bendiga) and until next time (hasta pronto)…
Our last patient of the day spent most of the day at the clinic. He is the neighbor of the aunt of one of our Guatemalan volunteers who currently lives in New York city. He is a gentleman in his sixties with diabetes mellitus suffering the complications of poorly controlled disease.
This patient was evaluated by our mobility team and our general clinician. He came to us looking for options other than an amputation of his limb that had a significant decubitus ulcer. He was referred or debridement and consultation with plastic surgery that may be able to do a creative skin flap. He received education about his diabetes and additional medications. What was memorable to me about this particular patient was the smile on his face when he left that radiated toward all around him. He left with a cane in one hand and leaning on a walker with the other grateful for the care he received, the referral and an option that might allow him to preserve his limb.
As he left the grounds and we moved towards the bus and ride to the hotel those around him felt a little brighter and grateful for the opportunity to serve.
Dierda Burton
