Today was another great day. Not as long but saw double the amount of patients. This morning we traveled to Santa Catolina by pick-up truck to run a naturopathic clinic for the local community there. This was my first time back to this city in three years. I was able to see some familiar faces and help a lot of people. We had two medical doctors working with us again and it was nice to be able to offer integrative care when needed. We saw once again a lot of diabetic patients like the last day but we also saw quite a few of children as well. We saw cases ranging from impetagio to malnourishment, intestinal parasites to pharyngitis. A wide range of different pathologies.
After the five hour shift we took a little break and went swimming in a local hot spring. Well yours truly was the only one who went in. After this little dip we jumped back onto the pick-up truck and held on for the 15 minute ride back to Pana.
After lunch we opened up the naturopathic clinic in Pana. I can’t even tell you how many patients I saw. It is so nice being able to work with the PA and ND students. They are all really motivated and will make great medical professionals in the future. I am so greatful to be part of their learning. They are really making sure that our patients are given the care necessary. They take the time and really get to know the pataients. We have seen so many pathologies so far that it really makes you feel great. Great in the sense that you are able to diagnose but more importantly able to treat, help and cure.
Looking back on my experience so far of supervising students down here in beautiful Guatemala makes me stop and think about how lucky we are in the US. We really have more than we need. We are spoiled with many modern day conviences that we take for granted. Electric, food, clean water, floors, etc. With that being said, I just wanted to say thank you for everyone who has made donations. Seeing a smile on a child’s face or the hand shake from a grateful father for taking the time to help really makes all of this worth it. I said it once and I will say in many more times “love is the most powerful force out there.” If we could just all love a little bit more this world would be such a different place.
Well once again I need to wake up in a few more hours to keep doing what I love. “If you love what you do you will never have to work a day in your life.” Well happy Hanukkah everyone and good night.
