OPENING AND CLOSING PANAMANIAN STYLE! Sept, 2014

JAISIE, NURSE FROM PANAMA AND HEAD OF HER ONS

TRADITIONAL FOLKLORICO DNACERS AT TINAJAS RESTAURANT

OPENING AND CLOSING CEREMONIES , PANAMANIAN STYLE, AT THE INCC IN PANAMA...

CANCER CARE IN PANAMA

ONCOLOGY INSTITUTE OF PANAMA

We were treated to a tour of this Panamanian cancer care hospital.  As nurses from all over the world, we were honored guests, and they were proud to show off their institution.  

They serve the whole country of Panama, and offer a full complement of cancer treatment, surgery, radiation,    

Chemo...

Chemo embolization?   

 There are 200 in-patient beds,    

and 35 chemo chairs.  There are 20 Oncologists and I am not sure the # of nurses.  

A nurse 's salary is $850 per month...

The building is old, dingy, really, built long ago in the manner of institutions at that time.  there are 7 floors.  Walls need paint, stairwells are dark, well used.   Furniture is worn, needing repair, and out of fashion.  It reminded me of hospitals 50 years ago with crank beds, stark patient bathrooms with only a toilet and sink.  The nurses stations have computers, but are used only for lab results.  All patient charting is done in the metal covered, paper charts.  

Nurses wear crisp white uniforms, shoes and cap.  

They seemed very happy to see us, and look forward, as we all do, to the improvement of patient care, to the elevation and training of the nursing profession.   

But the spirit inside was excellent!   There was an atmosphere of pride in their institution, and hope and good humor for the patients.  There were many hand written signs and pictures with inspirational and motivating themes.    This sign translates that ". today I share with you the sounding of this bell to announce a new day.  My treatment has finished with the strength and bravery that God has given me. Thank you God, for the life "

Panama has a country wide Palliative care initiative, and has had a country wide smoking cessation movement.   

There are educational posters and art work everywhere, on prevention, on signs and symptoms of the various cancers.  It is a positive place!  

It was an enriching tour, both heartening to see the care and cancer services offered, and sad to still see the glaring inequities between countries and cultures.

MORE PANAMA...

Well.....there were so many colorful photos that I didn't get posted, that I am writing a miscellaneous post on Panama!  

My purpose in traveling was twofold: one to attend this wonderful international conference, and two, to experience Panama, its city and sea, its countryside and rainforest, its people and its health care, and the Canal.

Ship coming through the Miraflora locks

My new best friend, Victor...you remember him..

took us all over the day after we arrived. I met 2 other nurses and we prowled together.  We went on a daylong drive/walk to see the beautiful old city,

the canal fron a distance and from the top of a hill.  We walked in the rainforest, but didn't spot too much fauna.

View back at the city from the rainforest just outside..

 We walked along a promenade by the sea where my favorite artisan markets are.

 I bought some beautiful Molas, the hand stitched, unique fabric art work.

And yes there really are PANAMA HATS!  Hand woven of Avila grass.     

We spent a day on the island of Contadora, a picture perfect place of sun and surf and beautiful villas.  

More later!   Enjoy this beautiful country in photos!   

ISNCC CONFERENCE, SEPTEMBER, 2014. Panama City, Panama

Ahhhh, the Conference!   My reason for being in Panama.  At this stage of my life and career, what a grand opportunity to attend this international conference on oncology nursing.  

The content was rich, the attendees a wealth of knowledge and culture.  There is something about a gathering of nurses anyway.  There is an unspoken bond, an understanding that cannot be shared with others out side of our profession.  Our profession is a calling.

The networking is fascinating and so valuable both for professional and personal growth.  How interesting to talk with nurses from all over the world.  I met Lucy from Australia, Narda from Colombia, Liz and Donna from MDAnderson in Houston, JiaJia from China, Teresa from Panama, Sylvie from the UK, Jean from Rwanda, and so many more!   

The days were chock full of sessions, 32 in all, running concurrently.  

Picking just 8 of them was difficult, and frustrating because there were so many wonderful sessions that had to be missed!   There  were one or two Plenary sessions, and general presentations in addition.  

Listening to presentations on specific topics, on cancer treatments and nursing interventions, on studies done by nurses, statistics on all topics in various countries was fascinating.  Nursing education and the promotion and elevation of Oncology nursing as a specialty was inspiring. Maintenance therapy for lung patients, and follow up with breast patients were discussed.  My specialty, Nurse Navigation was a topic.  Nurses in the US were familiar with the concept.  Nurses in most other countries were not.

Posters on a myriad of topics were skillfully displayed.  

Closing ceremonies are about to begin.   A gift of a wonderful week in time IN PANAMA!!

A RICH DAY, INDEED....

I like to go to church.

  It keeps me centered and grounded at the same time.  It gives me peace and joy in both my heart and soul.  The music is beautiful and brings the message to heart.   The prayers guide me and remind me of how blessed I am, and my obligation to the world. How can one go a day or a week or more without that assurance?  

I love attending worship in foreign countries.  It's as much a part of the experience as it is the spiritual lift I need at that time.   There are no Presbyterian churches in Panama.  Most, of whom I enquired, had never heard of us.  The country is declared Roman Catholic,

but all readily agree that most of the population are not "religious" and do not attend church.  There are a smattering of Bible churches, "Christian" churches, and a fair amount of Hindus, Buddhists, Latter Day Saints, and Jews.  

I found an historic non denominational church, the Balboa Union Church, which, like the Canal, was formed 100 years ago to serve the diverse population of "Zonians", people living here and working on the canal.  

My Panamanian best friend, Victor, drove me, and the short ride afforded us some time to share our faith.  I will probably never see him again, but this short time was sweet and we go away adding another of God's touches to our lives.  

The service was simple, familiar.  The sanctuary large, airy, windows open to the small hills just outside.  

There is no air conditioning, but the breeze was pleasant.

 All of the small congregation took me in.  As in other Latin American countries, I was an honored guest.   There was Martha May, friendly, talkative, an American living in Panama for 20 years.  There was Miss Connie, a sweet black lady from Barbados.  There was the family from Argentina, she a teacher, he a business man.  There were Spanish speaking attendees, as well.  The service is Bi lingual.  Pastor Schnell is from Germany and is "a bit Lutheran" .   His accented English and Spanish was delightful.  They shepherded me around, introduced me privately and publicly, brought me coffee and bread, and invited me to a small jazz concert to be held that afternoon at the church.  I already had begun to rearrange my afternoon plans...  

The concert was amazing.  A small group of 4, playing together for the first time, practicing, as you will, on us.  There was a strong rhythm guy, drumming Panamanian style on a box, a keyboard , an elec guitar, and a large black guy reminding me of New Orleans or Chicago blues, who blew the heck out of his trumpet.  "In the power of your love", "Joyful, joyful", "How great Thou Art", in a distinct Latin American/blues/jazz style.  Alternately had us stomping and singing along, and listening intently with tears.

Victor (my new best friend..) picked me up, and we spoke again of faith and what moves us and how God can work in lives.  I hurried back to the opening reception for the nurses.  I missed the hors doeurvres, but I was filled in other ways!  

And again, the thought that brings a smile to my face, all this, and I shall probably never pass this way again.  How rich indeed.  

SING TO THE EAST AND THE WEST....

Panama is the farthest south of the Central American countries.  It really has more in common with South America than with Central America.  The city is large, the largest in Central America, about 1 million people, and modern.  There are hospitals, banks, universities, skyscraper hotels.

  The sea is all around, but there are no beaches for 1 hour or more outside the city.  All the large construction has taken the beaches and contaminated the water.  

 The country side, while rural. does not suffer the abject poverty that is so evident in its neighbors to the north.  Its people are diverse, coming from the islands, from Spain and Europe, from South America.  Its native people are the Cuna Indians.

 There are blacks, whites, and every shade of brown between.  They are all Panamanians.  

The Canal was conceived and accomplished 100 years ago this year.  It painfully was cut through the narrow strip of land dividing Central and South America. It literally connects the East to the West,

and is the only place in the world where the Atlantic and Pacific meet, with a series of huge locks between, to raise or lower the boats to the opposing ocean on the other side. 

People came from all,over the world to work on the canal.  They were called "Zonians".   Many lost their lives in the unkind, uninhabited  forests to disease , or to accidents.  But many stayed and made Panama their home.  Much of Panama's economy comes from income from the canal.  Huge cargo ships pass through daily.  There is work now to widen the canal to allow even larger cargo and cruise ships to pass.  Panama also is a huge banking center, much like Switzerland, and has a large duty free zone, making business attractive here.  

The climate is hot and humid, with a rainy season in the fall.  I am told that there are no faults here, and thus it is safe to build the huge and numerous sky scrapers, that earthquakes do not happen here.  Same with hurricanes. By the time they pass East to West, over the high mountains to the north, the flat country is little affected.