Holy smokes, people. You will not believe what I got to do for Thanksgiving!!
I mentioned in my last post that I got the opportunity to tour a hospital in Santa Cruz with a nurse who I met a few weeks ago. What I didn't know was that my friend is not just a nurse but the head pediatric doctor in the maternity ward. That's right. The head honcho!
Before I go much further, I should explain that labor/delivery/prenatal care has always been an interest of mine. No, really ALWAYS. Way back in the day, my favorite episode of Sesame Street was when the Robinson family had a baby and my siblings would scream in horror when I watched A Baby Story on TLC. "Please not a c-section!" my five year old brother would wail (What five year old boy even knows what a c-section is? Sorry Joe!). So basically, I was out of my mind excited to get to go to this hospital and experience the action in real life!
That said, my expectation for the day was this: Watch a lot of things through glass windows. Maybe get to actually have some patient interactions. And that was about it.
My expectations were blown out of the water. Completely.
My first hint that I would be doing a whole lot more than observing was when Dr. Carmiña handed me a white nurse's uniform. "Cool, I'm playing dress-up!" I thought. But when we arrive at the hospital, she lets me follow her around as she examines all the newborns -eighty newborns. There were about seven moms to each room (Seven!) and no curtains giving anyone any privacy. While the hospital was obviously old (think wrought-iron beds and stark white walls) it was pretty clean, although it was obvious that this was where the poorest of the poor come to give birth.
Sarah Groves wrote a song and the lyrics are as follows:
I saw what I saw and I can't forget it.
I heard what I heard and I can't go back
Something on the road, cuts me to the soul.
Your pain has changed me.
Your dream inspires
Your face a memory
Your hope a fire
Your courage asks me what I am afraid of
And what I know of God.
And that's exactly how I felt while at the hospital. I saw beautiful moments of motherly love and tender care of the world's newest members. Precious twin baby girls with the thickest, softest baby hair. Mommas nursing for the first time or comforting their little ones after getting their blood drawn. A lot of anxious, fish out of water, new dads. The proudest grandparents.
But a lot was also completely heart wrenching. The fourteen year old little mamas (yes, there was more than one) that are so unprepared that they don't even have diapers. The mom with Huntingtons disease that can barely control her body enough to breastfeed and another young mom weeping with postpartum depression. Mommas that can't give the daddy's name on the birth certificate because they were raped and babies no bigger than my hand covered in wires and tubes...I saw what I saw and I can't forget it.
Life can be so beautiful and so awful.
---
I'm having a once in a lifetime experience helping Dr. Carmiña when the most freaking embarrassing moment of my entire life happens. All of a sudden I start to feel horrible. My stomach is flippity flopping and my limbs feel like million pounds. And then I start to BLACK OUT. I can feel my knees buckling so I clutch the nearest table thinking "Well, I guess a hospital is probably one of the safest places to pass out." Dr. Carmiña realizes what is happening and guides me to a chair. After I'm seated and drinking some juice, I immediately feel much better -except for being completely humiliated in a room full of woman who have just been through the worst pain in their lives. Are they collapsing? Oh no, it's the wimpy gringa who is passing out -for no reason!
I still don't know why that happened. I'm not queasy around blood or hospitals and I'd eaten breakfast that morning too. I hadn't even seen the worst of it at this point. Maybe I was just too excited? Not sure. Thanks a lot, body :(
After I recover (physically, mentally I am forever shamed), I get to help one of the nurses give all eighty infants their TB vaccinations. This was one of my favorite things even though we made all of them scream their poor little hearts out, it just meant I got to cuddle them afterward.
That afternoon, Dr. Carmiña told me that she was assisting during a cesarean and asked if I wanted to attend! HECK YES was my answer. Once again, I'm thinking looking through a glass window is all that I'm going to be able to do but when we get there, I get handed a pair of scrubs, a face mask, and those little plastic booties that go over your shoes. I am freaking out from excitement but also worried, remembering that my body apparently HATES me and is completely unreliable. "If I pass out during this delivery, I will never forgive myself," I'm thinking as I step into the operating room.
But I don't pass out, in fact I don't even flinch as I see EVERYTHING. I will save you the gory details but I saw it all. My cheeks were hurting from smiling as they pull out a baby girl and I witness her first breath. I get to be the second person in the whole world to hold her, less that five minutes old. I whisper "bienvenidos chiquitinga" (welcome little one) when she opens her eyes and looks at me. And I can't decide whether to laugh or cry so I sorta do both.
And I could have been eating turkey! Best, most unforgettable Thanksgiving day ever!!!!!
Many thanks to Dr. Carmiña for letting me tag along with her. You truly gave me the world this week.
Showing posts with label Community Health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Community Health. Show all posts
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Friday, November 18, 2011
Back on the Band Wagon
After a rough couple days, some venting, and a brief (ok, maybe not so brief) pity party, I woke up yesterday resolved to get back on the band wagon, cram those rose-colored glasses back on my face, and make Bolivia wish she'd never messed with me. As we headed out to el campo for the day, I decided to imagine that I had one of you guys along with me, as an attempt to see things with fresh eyes.
A lot of bloggers say, "If I had you over for coffee right now, we'd..." Well, if you were with me in Bolivia yesterday you would have...
...Wondered why we had to go to two gas pumps to get gas. I would have explained to you that the first pump is "air gas" ...and that I don't have a clue what that means. But we have two tanks and sometimes we use air gas and during times we need more power, we use the regular liquid kind. You also would have thought that the gas attendants' uniforms are a little strange. Their high heels, tight skirts, and lipstick reminds one of another um, profession.
...Enjoyed the ride out to el campo. It's a bumpy, two-hour, dust churning ride but the views are amazing and quite unique. I would have pointed out some parrots and owls to you and told you about the time I saw a capybara -the world's largest rodent.
...Been amazed at how great the children are! We would have tossed the frisbee around and answered questions about the States. You would have joined me in giving out as many hugs as possible and I might even have shared the 15 week old baby that I got to hold, if you asked me really nicely.
...Been introduced to my dear health promoters -sixteen women that are about my age but have led completely different lives. Most have at least a couple children and haven't done things like ridden on a airplane or gone to college. You would have been so impressed by the amazing health fair they put on!
...Worried with me that one of the new mommas left her newborn at home all day. And they don't bottle feed in el campo.
...Loved the lunch, as long as you're ok that it was served in gallon buckets and delivered in a wheelbarrow. Chicken with rice served with a savory sauce, YUM! I would have encouraged you to eat everything on your plate because it's rude to waste food.
...Laughed when I attempted to sing a song when the kids begged for an "English song." My song choice was "Pumped Up Kicks." Pretty glad that they can't understand the lyrics to that song, although the tune is catchy.
...Been so impressed by my stick-shift driving skills! Marco taught me on the back roads and I didn't kill it once.
...Come to appreciate a ice-cold Coke. It's the only thing cold in el campo.
...Joined me in dancing with the elderly Quechua women at the fiesta commemorating anniversary of the water system in the town of Rio Viejo. We would have eaten grilled pieces of meat with our hands and I would have shown you how to discreetly feed the gristle to the dogs.
...Thought the lightening bugs on the drive home were the coolest. Plus, there was also lightening in the sky too. All of that, plus the fact that it's the first time we've sat down and cooled off all day makes for a lovely ride home.
...Laughed with me as we discover leftover confetti from the fiesta, smeared with the dust on our skin when we get home. To me, that perfectly encapsulates el campo. Dust with confetti, hardship with celebration, suciedad con esperanza...
Yup. Back on the band wagon, folks! Hope you enjoyed your little trip to Bolivia :)
A lot of bloggers say, "If I had you over for coffee right now, we'd..." Well, if you were with me in Bolivia yesterday you would have...
...Wondered why we had to go to two gas pumps to get gas. I would have explained to you that the first pump is "air gas" ...and that I don't have a clue what that means. But we have two tanks and sometimes we use air gas and during times we need more power, we use the regular liquid kind. You also would have thought that the gas attendants' uniforms are a little strange. Their high heels, tight skirts, and lipstick reminds one of another um, profession.
...Enjoyed the ride out to el campo. It's a bumpy, two-hour, dust churning ride but the views are amazing and quite unique. I would have pointed out some parrots and owls to you and told you about the time I saw a capybara -the world's largest rodent.
...Been amazed at how great the children are! We would have tossed the frisbee around and answered questions about the States. You would have joined me in giving out as many hugs as possible and I might even have shared the 15 week old baby that I got to hold, if you asked me really nicely.
...Been introduced to my dear health promoters -sixteen women that are about my age but have led completely different lives. Most have at least a couple children and haven't done things like ridden on a airplane or gone to college. You would have been so impressed by the amazing health fair they put on!
...Worried with me that one of the new mommas left her newborn at home all day. And they don't bottle feed in el campo.
...Loved the lunch, as long as you're ok that it was served in gallon buckets and delivered in a wheelbarrow. Chicken with rice served with a savory sauce, YUM! I would have encouraged you to eat everything on your plate because it's rude to waste food.
...Laughed when I attempted to sing a song when the kids begged for an "English song." My song choice was "Pumped Up Kicks." Pretty glad that they can't understand the lyrics to that song, although the tune is catchy.
...Been so impressed by my stick-shift driving skills! Marco taught me on the back roads and I didn't kill it once.
...Come to appreciate a ice-cold Coke. It's the only thing cold in el campo.
...Joined me in dancing with the elderly Quechua women at the fiesta commemorating anniversary of the water system in the town of Rio Viejo. We would have eaten grilled pieces of meat with our hands and I would have shown you how to discreetly feed the gristle to the dogs.
...Thought the lightening bugs on the drive home were the coolest. Plus, there was also lightening in the sky too. All of that, plus the fact that it's the first time we've sat down and cooled off all day makes for a lovely ride home.
...Laughed with me as we discover leftover confetti from the fiesta, smeared with the dust on our skin when we get home. To me, that perfectly encapsulates el campo. Dust with confetti, hardship with celebration, suciedad con esperanza...
Yup. Back on the band wagon, folks! Hope you enjoyed your little trip to Bolivia :)
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
El Campo and the F-Bomb
Yesterday, Fabi, Guillermo, Marco, Helen and I headed off to el campo (the country) for a community wide sports day. At first, I wasn't sure I should count this as hours for my internship but after the day was over, I came to the conclusion that my view of Community Health work is too narrow. At first, it doesn't make sense that a sports day could be part of Community Health but yesterday I saw six villages come together to compete, cheer, and afterward give each other rides home on their motorcycles. This was, without a doubt, community building and you can't have Community Health without a community. Fabi said that these communities used to have a "fend for yourself" attitude but through the work of Etta Projects, they are coming together to create something stronger and better.
I love el campo. It may not make sense, because honestly, it is really dirty, really hot, and really dusty (not to mention that there are dogs all over -ugh) but I wish I could go out there everyday! The kids there are just the best. I was able to bring a frisbee all the way from the states and the kids had never seen one before! I hope you all get the chance to introduce someone to one of your favorite things in the world because it is the best feeling ever! I had to teach them how to throw it and even how to catch it! I think they thought it was a plastic plate when I first brought it out. You should have seen their faces when I threw it across the field! I felt like the Michael Jordan of frisbee with the way they were cheering :) When I left, all of them asked me when I was coming back and would I POR FAVOR (please) bring "el fisbe" with me?
Other memorable parts of the day would be riding un moto (motorcycle). I have wanted to do that since I've been here and yesterday was my first opportunity. A nice young man named Roberto took me on a little tour of the village and it was exhilarating. I made all the kids laugh when I put my arms out and waved them like I was flying. Sometimes, you just have to make a fool of yourself to experience something to the fullest, you know?
In other more embarrassing news, yesterday I managed to drop the f-word and also said that I was sexually aroused -all within in the same hour. It was a language thing, and I realized what I had done as soon as I said it but the damage was done and I left all my coworkers howling with laughter. In the future, I will remember to use a different verb for "catch" and to say that I feel hot, not that I am hot. Lessons learned, folks!
To end the day, we got invited to eat with the patriarch of a village called La Patria. It is a very humbling experience to know that this man, whose house most Americans wouldn't even camp in, is sharing his food with you. His granddaughter served us coffee and cheese, while I fervently prayed that I wouldn't do something stupid, the memories of the f-bomb experience still fresh in my mind!
Other good memories include: Holding my first Bolivian baby, driving the truck by myself through el campo, and translating the Fight Club into English for my coworkers. And just in case you haven't noticed yet, I still like it here! I got to start interviewing families about their water filters today, which I will describe in detail tomorrow (are you getting tired of me pulling these Ryan Seacrest moments?). I'll leave you with the teaser that someone gets bit by a dog.
Ugh. Dogs.
I love el campo. It may not make sense, because honestly, it is really dirty, really hot, and really dusty (not to mention that there are dogs all over -ugh) but I wish I could go out there everyday! The kids there are just the best. I was able to bring a frisbee all the way from the states and the kids had never seen one before! I hope you all get the chance to introduce someone to one of your favorite things in the world because it is the best feeling ever! I had to teach them how to throw it and even how to catch it! I think they thought it was a plastic plate when I first brought it out. You should have seen their faces when I threw it across the field! I felt like the Michael Jordan of frisbee with the way they were cheering :) When I left, all of them asked me when I was coming back and would I POR FAVOR (please) bring "el fisbe" with me?
Other memorable parts of the day would be riding un moto (motorcycle). I have wanted to do that since I've been here and yesterday was my first opportunity. A nice young man named Roberto took me on a little tour of the village and it was exhilarating. I made all the kids laugh when I put my arms out and waved them like I was flying. Sometimes, you just have to make a fool of yourself to experience something to the fullest, you know?
In other more embarrassing news, yesterday I managed to drop the f-word and also said that I was sexually aroused -all within in the same hour. It was a language thing, and I realized what I had done as soon as I said it but the damage was done and I left all my coworkers howling with laughter. In the future, I will remember to use a different verb for "catch" and to say that I feel hot, not that I am hot. Lessons learned, folks!
To end the day, we got invited to eat with the patriarch of a village called La Patria. It is a very humbling experience to know that this man, whose house most Americans wouldn't even camp in, is sharing his food with you. His granddaughter served us coffee and cheese, while I fervently prayed that I wouldn't do something stupid, the memories of the f-bomb experience still fresh in my mind!
Other good memories include: Holding my first Bolivian baby, driving the truck by myself through el campo, and translating the Fight Club into English for my coworkers. And just in case you haven't noticed yet, I still like it here! I got to start interviewing families about their water filters today, which I will describe in detail tomorrow (are you getting tired of me pulling these Ryan Seacrest moments?). I'll leave you with the teaser that someone gets bit by a dog.
Ugh. Dogs.
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