4/1/2008 – Tuesday
First day in the clinic
For breakfast had fresh fruit and Coffee, feeling pretty tired today, the day had to start at about 6:20 AM
To get to the clinic we must catch the Guagua (a mini van type vehicle) that is suppose to comfortably fit approximately 15 people, but they will squeeze in anywhere to 20-25 people. You make friends with your Dominican friends really quick. A Guagua ride cost 15 peso and takes about 25 minutes.
From the Guagua we dodge more traffic and catch a “F” car. Again this is like a buick size vehicle, suppose to fit comfortably 5, but we squeeze in seven. The “F” car cost 12 pesos and that ride is approximately 15 minutes.
Finally we arrive at La Hospital Los Ninos. This is our first day at the clinic we meet with the head nurse. At this clinic there are not other physical therapist, so half our mission there is to educate doctors, nurses, and other family members on the importance of PT related topics.
The first child we see is a who had been hit by a moto (mo-ped). In the DR they will ride 3 to a mo-ped without helmets. So I would say that 75% of all pediatric brain injuries come from MVA or moto/pedestrian accidents. Dominicans with ride 2 parents and squeeze there young child in the middle on the moto – all without helments and proceed to drive on 4 lane highways! (Brittanie spears would fit right in)
Regardless this small child lays in the bed incoherent. His mother is uneducated on his condition. The patient has a traumatic brain injury but yet is not hooked up to any machines to read vitas (HR, BP, Intercranial pressure, blood pressure, etc).
Here in the Dominican republic the mother is the “Health chart.” In other words the mother reports to the doctor regarding ALL health related information to the doctors. Hospitals do not keep thorough records of children’s immunizations or health conditions.
We then go to the “Casting Room” where the orthopedic doctor is and where the patients bones get set and or recasted. Here we observe tools being cleaned with bleach and children going under general anesthesia when their bones are getting reset. But again, the children are put under without vitals taken or being monitored.
To return to the ILAC center we reverse the above modes of transportation. We return to the ILAC center to eat lunch. Normal is Rice and Beans with fresh pineapple.
This afternoon is spent preparing “Charlas” or in-services for the campos this weekend (more on this to come)
This evening we have mass at the church which is located in the middle of the ILAC center. It is build completely from Dominican materials –from the tweed for the seats to the clay for the Stations of the cross. Father Pat’s sermon focuses on that faith comes in many shapes and forms, and we don’t need to see it to believe it. He mentions that when he was younger, it was not that he didn’t believe in the lord, it was simply he didn’t need him for fulfillment.
Father Pat was on his way to a Mission trip when he was younger when the doctor told him he couldn’t go because he had the flu. The “red flag” lab results that made the doctor think was the flu, was actually Leukemia. In his time in the hospital, Father Pat Memorized all the gospels. So when he speaks on the alter, he has a sense about him that just makes you believe – believe in anything, yourself, the lord, faith, and/or hope. He is approximately 40 years old and lives in the Dominican republic full time, serving the adults and children of the Dominican republic.
First day in the clinic
For breakfast had fresh fruit and Coffee, feeling pretty tired today, the day had to start at about 6:20 AM
To get to the clinic we must catch the Guagua (a mini van type vehicle) that is suppose to comfortably fit approximately 15 people, but they will squeeze in anywhere to 20-25 people. You make friends with your Dominican friends really quick. A Guagua ride cost 15 peso and takes about 25 minutes.
From the Guagua we dodge more traffic and catch a “F” car. Again this is like a buick size vehicle, suppose to fit comfortably 5, but we squeeze in seven. The “F” car cost 12 pesos and that ride is approximately 15 minutes.
Finally we arrive at La Hospital Los Ninos. This is our first day at the clinic we meet with the head nurse. At this clinic there are not other physical therapist, so half our mission there is to educate doctors, nurses, and other family members on the importance of PT related topics.
The first child we see is a who had been hit by a moto (mo-ped). In the DR they will ride 3 to a mo-ped without helmets. So I would say that 75% of all pediatric brain injuries come from MVA or moto/pedestrian accidents. Dominicans with ride 2 parents and squeeze there young child in the middle on the moto – all without helments and proceed to drive on 4 lane highways! (Brittanie spears would fit right in)
Regardless this small child lays in the bed incoherent. His mother is uneducated on his condition. The patient has a traumatic brain injury but yet is not hooked up to any machines to read vitas (HR, BP, Intercranial pressure, blood pressure, etc).
Here in the Dominican republic the mother is the “Health chart.” In other words the mother reports to the doctor regarding ALL health related information to the doctors. Hospitals do not keep thorough records of children’s immunizations or health conditions.
We then go to the “Casting Room” where the orthopedic doctor is and where the patients bones get set and or recasted. Here we observe tools being cleaned with bleach and children going under general anesthesia when their bones are getting reset. But again, the children are put under without vitals taken or being monitored.
To return to the ILAC center we reverse the above modes of transportation. We return to the ILAC center to eat lunch. Normal is Rice and Beans with fresh pineapple.
This afternoon is spent preparing “Charlas” or in-services for the campos this weekend (more on this to come)
This evening we have mass at the church which is located in the middle of the ILAC center. It is build completely from Dominican materials –from the tweed for the seats to the clay for the Stations of the cross. Father Pat’s sermon focuses on that faith comes in many shapes and forms, and we don’t need to see it to believe it. He mentions that when he was younger, it was not that he didn’t believe in the lord, it was simply he didn’t need him for fulfillment.
Father Pat was on his way to a Mission trip when he was younger when the doctor told him he couldn’t go because he had the flu. The “red flag” lab results that made the doctor think was the flu, was actually Leukemia. In his time in the hospital, Father Pat Memorized all the gospels. So when he speaks on the alter, he has a sense about him that just makes you believe – believe in anything, yourself, the lord, faith, and/or hope. He is approximately 40 years old and lives in the Dominican republic full time, serving the adults and children of the Dominican republic.
1 comment:
I love your comments about this past weekend, Bridget. I'd forgotten that I bought a Larimar ring when we were there. I'll have to get it out and wear it again. We're looking forward to seeing you again. Have a safe flight!! JoAnn
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