Today was our third day seeing patients. This time we were in a clinic in Majagual and we saw patients In a single room in an elementary school. The conditions were crowded and hot (the electricity went out within the first five minutes), but the experience was great. Everything was very close, and I was able to ask for Spanish or clinical help very readily.
There was one patient I had who had an accident with a rock falling on her second toe on her left leg who had seen a doctor in the public hospital but didn't follow up/ didn't know to follow up with her physician at the public hospital. The toe was healing fairly well but really needed debridement and dressing changes every week for the injury to heal well and completely. Unfortunately after talking to Anna (an NP and one of the trip coordinators) we decided to instead schedule the patient to see the surgery team that's is flying into the DR in 2 weeks for debridement in the OR. I was simultaneously sad and happy that this patient could get care when the surgery team comes. I was sad because in the US this patient would be able to follow-up with a wound care physician weekly to get debridement and dressings in an outpatient clinic. She would not to deal with the extra risks that come with surgery. However, I was happy that she could finally get definitive treatment for her foot. This patient was also memorable because she was able to help me translate for the next patient while she waited for her medications (another benefit of working in a single room).
I don't have a picture of the patient described above, but I do have a picture with a patient that presented with skin lesions and rashes all over his arms and legs. Here is an image of the patients skin lesions and rash on his arms.
During lunch we ate the lamb that Joe and Steve had watched get slaughtered the night before. The meat was delicious. Image of lunch below.
All of our meals have been this good.
Also got the chance to watch Dominican dominoes. The game was fast paced and didn't stand a chance against the Dominicans I played against. They have almost a 6th sense of what has been played, the numbers other players are holding, and what to play next. I was only able to win one game against Alfredo (our liaison this week) but my team only won 4 points that game. Dominican-style dominoes are fun, challenging, and addicting. Here is an image of us playing dominoes last night by candlelight.
There was one patient I had who had an accident with a rock falling on her second toe on her left leg who had seen a doctor in the public hospital but didn't follow up/ didn't know to follow up with her physician at the public hospital. The toe was healing fairly well but really needed debridement and dressing changes every week for the injury to heal well and completely. Unfortunately after talking to Anna (an NP and one of the trip coordinators) we decided to instead schedule the patient to see the surgery team that's is flying into the DR in 2 weeks for debridement in the OR. I was simultaneously sad and happy that this patient could get care when the surgery team comes. I was sad because in the US this patient would be able to follow-up with a wound care physician weekly to get debridement and dressings in an outpatient clinic. She would not to deal with the extra risks that come with surgery. However, I was happy that she could finally get definitive treatment for her foot. This patient was also memorable because she was able to help me translate for the next patient while she waited for her medications (another benefit of working in a single room).
I don't have a picture of the patient described above, but I do have a picture with a patient that presented with skin lesions and rashes all over his arms and legs. Here is an image of the patients skin lesions and rash on his arms.
During lunch we ate the lamb that Joe and Steve had watched get slaughtered the night before. The meat was delicious. Image of lunch below.
All of our meals have been this good.
Also got the chance to watch Dominican dominoes. The game was fast paced and didn't stand a chance against the Dominicans I played against. They have almost a 6th sense of what has been played, the numbers other players are holding, and what to play next. I was only able to win one game against Alfredo (our liaison this week) but my team only won 4 points that game. Dominican-style dominoes are fun, challenging, and addicting. Here is an image of us playing dominoes last night by candlelight.
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