Trisa's Blog.

Trisa
I discovered a new species of tree! It’s a pine tree/palm tree hybrid. Imagine the thin swaying trunk and the big burst of branches on a palm tree…only with pine needles. I think it exists only in Guatemala where the days are toasty warm and the nights all too reminiscent of chilly Wisconsin. Technically I can’t complain because the nights are still about 50 degrees, but they don’t have heat (or air conditioning) here, so 50 degrees inside your room at night qualifies in my book as freezing. It’s a shame I didn’t follow Ryan’s attempts at “acclimation,” or I am sure I would be perfectly comfortable.

Today was our third day in the clinic. Our leaders who were here last year said Wednesday is the hardest day because everyone starts getting drained, some are sick, and the end is not quite in sight. Also, as a “physician extender” I had been mostly observing, and focusing on my own learning…. Leading me to question whether I was really accomplishing much for the patients.

Because one of my goals for this trip was personal growth, I didn’t think that dragging physically, mentally, and emotionally would be very beneficial. In good Christian spirit, I decided to go to the Word of God for some inspiration. I randomly opened up to 2nd Corinthians and started reading about suffering, and why God allows people to suffer.

After reading a couple pages, I turned the page again, and the first verse on the next page stated that no work that we perform in the name of God will be in vain. I wondered how that verse popped into the chapter about suffering, so I turned back a page to remind myself of the previous verse. I was curious and surprised to realize that during my reading I had somehow turned back several pages, and was now in 1st Corinthians. I had been reading forwards… not backwards… how did that happen? It hit me that God knew exactly the encouragement I needed to get me through the day, and somehow, he got me to the right page. I needed reminder that my work here is not in vain! God works in amazing ways.

There are so many exciting things that have happened on the trip… and as I have opened my eyes to see God, I have been realizing the ways that he has been working in the lives of the patients we are seeing, and also myself and my team members. I can’t wait to tell you all about it!

I’m also excited for the learning experiences I have had. I learned how to do steroid injections, and was able to do a few on my own. They’re dexamethasone/lidocaine injections for arthritis, tendonitis, torn rotator cuff, carpal tunnel, etc. I performed injections on shoulders, knees, and wrists… with no complications. I also learned how to do a pelvic exam and pap smear, and got to do a couple of those as well. I’ve also enjoyed talking to several of the physicians on the trip and asking them what they like about their specific specialties.

My prayer tonight is that I don’t get sick! Unfortunately several of the people on the trip are getting or have gotten sick. Some with stomach problems but others with cold/flu symptoms…. My roommate included in the latter. So I’m hoping that she will feel better and that I won’t catch anything. I want to stay strong for our last day in the clinic, and finally our culture day at the market in Antigua on Friday… then Friday night our flight home!

I miss you all very much, and can’t wait to see everyone.

Love,
Trisa