Breakfast and quickly off to the boat for a packed day. We were so focused on getting to the clinic that we forgot Stacy and as we were leaving she started tuning down the stairs to the dock.
After gaining our whole group we made it to Livingston and started clinic instantly. With the whole group were able to divide into four groups and luckily we had the 4 groups ready because we had a ton of patients. Between the students at the school, the patients from the week so far, and new evaluations we had over 15 patients up until lunch. Some extremely interesting cases and some great progress on the patients from earlier in the week. The lady with the wrist fracture got her first restful sleep since the injury 2 months ago, another patient with a long history of low back pain was pain free after the treatment yesterday. Not only did patient outcomes improve, but the students confidence, relationships between students and patient also shined today.
After some quick PB and J sandwiches we boarded the bus and headed to a public hospital about an hour away in Puerto Barrios. The hospital is a government ran hospital that is completely free for patients. The staffing and equipment is outdated due to this level of funding, but luckily they have this hospital for those in need. We met the treating therapist who is a very organized, motivated, and driven. She works in an outpatient clinic in the morning and runs the outpatient clinic of the hospital in the afternoon before headed to do rounds on the impatient side of the hospital until 6pm
We were able to split among 4 rooms and treat 15 patients over a few hours. Many of the patients were presenting post car accident or trauma with severely limited motion or chronic pathology. One of the groups I was working with had a young man who was in a severe motorcycle accident. He had rods in his entire L leg. He began with 35 degrees of knee flexion but after treatment he left with over 58 degrees which the local therapist was shocked about. Not only did the students do a great job, but we were also able to teach the therapist and three student therapists the techniques and skills for future patients. The other group had a similar patient with a trauma after a car accident. She has not been progressing very well and the MD plans to do a manipulation under anesthesia if she cannot get more knee flexion in 2 weeks. The therapist was running out of ideas and worried so we worked hard trying to get her more motion today. We struggled, but created a plan of care that the therapist could use until her follow up appointment with the MD. Explaining the thought process and techniques was fun because not only did we get to help this patient, but hopefully also the patients who she will see in the future.
Another group was working on massage for a scar and the therapist said they were already doing that. I was happy when she said this and she explained that last years group educated her on this and she had been applying the technique ever since. Working alongside this therapist is helping to make this Thrive trip very sustainable. Next year we will have to do an inservice.
The final part of the day was working in the wards with patients. My group worked with a 14 year old boy with lung problems. Much like every other patient on the floors today that we treated, he did not have a diagnosis yet and the physicians were still working on that. (Sadly this is common here which leaves us in fear of the worst causing us to be must more hesitant with care) He was doing well with high O2 Sats and fully alert. He was in a room full of 10 grown men so he sat in his corner bed. After the examination we took in out to the hall and worked on "soccer" drills. He lit up and his smile beamed. I talk about his smile because it was a truly infectious smile. I have never said that about someone's smile, but he really had this pure happiness about him. After finishing the session with respiratory PT and education we left the room. However this young man named Edward did not leave my mind. The local therapist said he was headed to Guatemala City for more testing because they have concern of possible TB or cancer. It tore at my heart knowing a young boy with so much room for life and this sweet innocent smile had such a long road and struggles ahead. He did not have family with him or a strong support system. He is a boy learning to be a man in the hardest of times and under extremely bad circumstances.
After the boat ride back we were able to eat dinner and reflect on the long but so rewarding day.
After the boat ride back we were able to eat dinner and reflect on the long but so rewarding day.
Many laughs filled the outside eating area due to pure exhaustion and great conversation.
Ready for an even busier day tomorrow!
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