Day 3

Hola!! What a day......we saw 113 patients in the clinic today. It was rainy this morning and most of them walk, so we saw most of them in the afternoon when the rain ceased. That is hopping for 1 doc and 3 exam rooms. Plus we lose time with the language barrier and are the pharmacy as well! I have been trying to keep the flow going so no one gets turned away. But it's funny, the same things happen in Guatemala as in MMC ER. People still take smoke breaks, ect....but all in all everyone is getting along well. There have been tears---one mom begged us to help her with her baby who has a cleft palate and was turned away from the hospitals because she didn't have the $15,000 to pay for the surgery. Our doc even cried with that mom. Then another mom broke down in the treatment room and told our nurses that her husband left her and her 2 small children and she had no money for food or clothing. The little girl was wearing shoes that were so small she could not walk and were deforming her toes. The nurses gave her money out of their own pocket. The men amaze me--I used to think Grandpa Craig's hands were rugged, with his crooked fingers from unplugging the corn picker while running, but these men's hands are as worn as leather over wood. They have the toughest calluses and thick arthritic fingers I have ever seen. They are true cowboys and most always have a hat on but an even bigger smile. One came today with his horses...so of course I was distracted from the clinic for a bit--but even the livestock appear malnourished, as do the dogs! The hugs, kisses and appreciation is so incredible--I can't even put the effect on my soul into words right now. Love you all and I have never loved my life and family in the States more than right now. Eric...look at the pic of the old woman doing laundry in the sink at the orphanage and hanging it all out to dry---I will not complain about my dryer any more--ok? Goodnight all!