Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Nieve in Ecuador - Rich Letter #2


If you turn right out the front gate of our clinic, right again where the sidewalk ends, and walk carefully four blocks on the muddy road lined by hibiscus bushes up the hill, after a turn or two, you’ll come to Nieve’s house. The first time Mercedes and I visited her, Nieve couldn’t get out of her bed. She could hardly move.

I love doing these house calls with Mercedes, our community nurse. She’s in her element out there and everyone seems to know her and love her. Your patient list has a way of growing when you’re out visiting homes with Mercedes. Recently she recruited me to visit a little girl badly burned on her leg but when we finished with her, 2 or 3 more folks needed a visit. Knowing you are in the neighborhood, people will flag you down and off you go.

Anyway, Nieve is better now, on medication for her severe rheumatoid arthritis, provided through the help of our generous benefactors back home. She now limps on her walker the four blocks to the clinic every week to get her methotrexate shot and have her blood pressure checked. She’s a very positive person, doesn’t complain much about her lot in life. We aren’t able to solve all of her problems, but she’s grateful she can walk again, and so are we. Thanks for making it possible!

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Christ the King Habitat team visitors

Christ the King Habitat team visitors
When the Habitat For Humanity team from Christ the King was in Santo Domingo doing a build across town, the medical professionals in the group took a couple of hours off to visit the Hombro clinic and meet the staff there.

Julio Jaramillo School

Julio Jaramillo School
This elementary school is a couple of blocks from the Hombro clinic; its students are among the many who came for pre-school physical exams, required by the state.

At Santo Domingo's Botanical Garden

At Santo Domingo's Botanical Garden
About the only place of natural beauty in Santo Domingo (other than the Catholic University campus and a few private homes) is the botanical garden. This little guy had just helped himself to a piece of carrot from somebody's hand.

Agnus Dei

Agnus Dei
This is the chapel in the Agnus Dei religious community, where we attended a 3:00 a.m.(!) Easter vigil/sunrise service. There were about 40 people in attendance. The music was exquisite.

In-kind payment for Leonardo Oviedo's cardiology services