Day One, Week One. Caravana Medica, Ch'ixtontic
129 patients. 6 Medicos. Any number of helpers!
We are situated in their church, on the side of the hill. They built stairs last week for us, going down the side of the mount to the church and the kitchen. They divided the church into 6 consultation rooms and a lab.
We got organized, planned the patient flow, and set up the Oculista office. They set up the pharmacy before we got here. It is well stocked with the generous donations and support of so many people at home. We hand carried tons...well, OK, not tons...and all arrived intact. There are even 2 local dentists here who have come from another larger town.
The day went smooth. We saw some unusual things but a lot of manageable conditions. No major URI s or terrible diabetics today. The people are very shy, most having never taken a medication, or seen a physician before. The women are all in their traditional dress. They are not as urbanized as the people who live near the clinic in Ocosingo
We are getting a speck of a world view. We are seeing life from another perspective. We are IN this culture. It's a beautiful thing!
So here are some patients we have seen in 2 days:
Lady with sky high Blood Pressure, literally ready to stroke out
Man who has a headache, is dizzy, and has bad knees. Says a flock of birds attacked him, pecking and beating at his head and that started his physical downfall....
An 8 month old baby whose grand mal seizures started at 5 months and now she has them almost daily. Really, really, really trying to convince her she must take the baby to be seen by a specialist
A diabetic who has not taken his meds in many months, but whose blood,sugar today is 116! Has been doing natural medicine, plants and herbs. Hmmmm.
A 5 year old boy who wets his pants.
Several ladies with severe arthritis, and painful trigger fingers. Dr. Bill injected them with cortisone and they should have good relief.
Several ladies who work in the fields, wielding machetes, and carrying wood in a cargado sling on their head. They have headaches....
An 80 year old lady who lives alone and is having a hard time coping.
A young man who spoke some English. Lived in Ohio for 4 years before being deported. Now he is anxious and afraid of everything, since an auto accident.
