February 19th - At the hospital
Today - clinic day one! The hospital is a 1/2 hour bus ride to the other side of Quito. It was in better condition than I anticipated. However, although it had been built only a year ago, it looked dated to the 70's - apparently it had taken 15 years to build! Crazy!
Half the day I worked with the other adult ward nurses unpacking and 'moving-in' to our ward. We did inventory and set-up, breaked for lunch, then headed downstairs to the clinic to assist with assessments. Locals from far and wide travel for a chance to be seen by our team. I was able to jump right in and work with the clinic nurses in screen potential candidates - going through their health history, medications, vital signs, etc.... All with the invaluable help of a translator, of course!
It was noisy and crowded, and people lined the hallways waiting for their turn to be seen. Many sat on chairs, the floors, or stood supported by crudely fashioned wooden walking sticks. Depsite the busy environment, the whole process ran smoothly from beginning to end. All the patients I assisted in assessing were approved, however I know that was certainly not the case for everyone.
Tomorrow is the first surgery - a bilateral hip and club foot. And I am scheduled for a follow through - I CAN'T WAIT!!! The kindness of the team is astonsihing - the nursing staff truly want to teach and have taken me under their wing. For example, here we take blood pressure manually - I shouldn't have been shocked, but I was really taken off guard. I haven't done it manually in almost three years! Take my gap of know-how in stride, two nurses sat me down and practiced with me until I had it down pat.
Afterwards, we returned to the hotel for a quick wash-up prior to pizza in the lobby. Virtually nowhere is open to eat on Sundays, and it is forbidden to drink alcohol too - literally against the law!
Tomrrow the first patient goes under the knife and the ward will soon be brought to life. A OR nurse brought scrub caps covered in Canadian flags for the team, and I am just dying to try it on! PTL it has elastic on the back because fitting my mane under those things can certainly be a challenge!
In the mean time, my goal is to turn off my brain. Countless times in the day I can't believe I am here, that I've made it to South American and able to offer help to people in need. I am so blessed to be part of such an amazing team.
Adios!
D.
Today - clinic day one! The hospital is a 1/2 hour bus ride to the other side of Quito. It was in better condition than I anticipated. However, although it had been built only a year ago, it looked dated to the 70's - apparently it had taken 15 years to build! Crazy!
Half the day I worked with the other adult ward nurses unpacking and 'moving-in' to our ward. We did inventory and set-up, breaked for lunch, then headed downstairs to the clinic to assist with assessments. Locals from far and wide travel for a chance to be seen by our team. I was able to jump right in and work with the clinic nurses in screen potential candidates - going through their health history, medications, vital signs, etc.... All with the invaluable help of a translator, of course!
It was noisy and crowded, and people lined the hallways waiting for their turn to be seen. Many sat on chairs, the floors, or stood supported by crudely fashioned wooden walking sticks. Depsite the busy environment, the whole process ran smoothly from beginning to end. All the patients I assisted in assessing were approved, however I know that was certainly not the case for everyone.
Tomorrow is the first surgery - a bilateral hip and club foot. And I am scheduled for a follow through - I CAN'T WAIT!!! The kindness of the team is astonsihing - the nursing staff truly want to teach and have taken me under their wing. For example, here we take blood pressure manually - I shouldn't have been shocked, but I was really taken off guard. I haven't done it manually in almost three years! Take my gap of know-how in stride, two nurses sat me down and practiced with me until I had it down pat.
Afterwards, we returned to the hotel for a quick wash-up prior to pizza in the lobby. Virtually nowhere is open to eat on Sundays, and it is forbidden to drink alcohol too - literally against the law!
Tomrrow the first patient goes under the knife and the ward will soon be brought to life. A OR nurse brought scrub caps covered in Canadian flags for the team, and I am just dying to try it on! PTL it has elastic on the back because fitting my mane under those things can certainly be a challenge!
In the mean time, my goal is to turn off my brain. Countless times in the day I can't believe I am here, that I've made it to South American and able to offer help to people in need. I am so blessed to be part of such an amazing team.
Adios!
D.
what an amazing experience!!! Good for you Danielle!! Love reading about your adventure!!
ReplyDeleteHey Danielle, I found your blog on your moms FB..lol..stalking you as you go on this amazing journey, and I wish i was with you every step of the way..Manual BP..that is an old art, glad there are nurses to help your remember how to do it..I am exciting to follow this adventure and live vicariously thru you..
ReplyDeleteLynn Unger your aunt Ann's buddy..lol