DAY 1(Clinic) – A LOT OF SMILES – SOME SADNESS
Day one in the clinic is always interesting and a little difficult. New team members get acquainted with the process of the mobility clinic and then adjust to the myriads of different pathologies we will be treating in this developing country. Conditions practically unheard of in the United States such as poliomyelitis are seen 3 or 4 times a day here. Fortunately, all volunteers who come here are professionals who understand their job and are flexible enough to meld in with the existing process FIP has found so successful. The ‘newbies’ are very quickly just as adept at defining the mobility apparatus needed and its fitting as the ‘old hands’.
THE SMILES
Felix is 6 years old. He suffers from a, as yet, undefined mental handicap that prevents him from interacting with his family and environment, including walking. He has been carried by his mother since birth and is totally dependent on others for his existence. Today he received a wheelchair, specially modified by Cathy our Guatemalan therapist and he is independent, at least somewhat. He can sit up and see the world around him without his mother’s constant attention for the first time in his life!
Gerardo is 59 years old. He had both knees replaced last year and, because of pain, he has not walked since his surgery. He presents himself asking for a wheelchair. The mobility doctor and the physiotherapist believe he is far better off ambulating. With a huge amount of convincing and cajoling by his therapist he agrees to try to use a cane. He leaves the FIP clinic walking (albeit slowly) with just one cane and a huge smile on his face
THE SADNESS
Eduardo is a 65 year old man with abdominal pain and leg weakness seeking a wheelchair. He is here with his daughter-in-law. On closer questioning he has lost 35 pounds in the last 3 months, has continual nausea and anorexia as well as his unrelenting upper abdominal pain. His Guatemalan doctors say he has a ‘tumor’. The Xela-Aid clinic has Tramadol (non-narcotic pain medication) and Zofran (anti-nausea medication) which we are able to give him as injections and some pills to take home. He rests on the exam table for 30 minutes and then gets fitted for his wheelchair. When he leaves the clinic he feels slightly better and knows to go to his doctor for a prescription for stronger pain medication.
We did not cure this man. No. But we did ‘ease his way’ which, we believe, is what God wants us to do with all of our patients.
We look forward to a good dinner and rest tonight so we will be prepared for the challenges that tomorrow will bring
We are all a little tired. All in all it has been a pretty good day.
Dr. Joseph Austin, Team Doctor, Team Leader & Blogger
