Chicabracan Clinic

Today was our second "solo" clinic with Isaac. In all of our other clinics, we have help that allows Matt to go hang out with Isaac, thus removing him from clinic. In our Monday clinics, we're on our own.

Today started out with Isaac a little fussy, but after a couple feedings in the first two hours, he basically went to sleep and stayed that way for the next four hours, allowing us to finish clinic and get him home to feed on the couch (his favorite spot).

We knew that today was going to be a bit of a long clinic because we've been away for about six weeks. Plus, the fair just ended in Quiche and people basically ignore their health for a week (meaning we'll get to clean up the mess afterwards!)

It wasn't quite as bad as we expected, but we went just about six hours straight (a long time for a six week old!) We saw our standard hypertension and diabetes patients today as well as a pregnant woman who lost her first baby at three months pregnant and was understandably nervous about this one (we didn't have electricity to run the ultrasound, but the Doppler showed good heart tones on the baby, which made Mom VERY happy!)

We also saw a pretty severe hydrocephalic baby. His name is Diego. He's only 10 months old, but his head diameter is about 60 cm. The family doesn't have much in the way of resources, and the child needs some neurosurgery. We are the first people they've brought him to. After a phone consult with Sharon at ASELSI, we told them they need to bring Diego to the hospital here in Quiche to get "into the system". They will likely be referred to Guatemala City, but this first step is important. We wrote a note so the hospital here will know that we'll help them with money - otherwise, they would probably be blown off. (If the docs here know the family doesn't have the money to go to Guatemala City for surgery, why spend a lot of time with them? - at least in their way of thinking.)

Isaac did have a pretty entertaining moment today - at least for Daddy. Mommy had just fed him and was changing his diaper (we took a few minutes between patients for this whole spectacle) and he did his little fountain routine. It's always funny when you're not the one getting sprayed!

As you'll recall, today is Friday for us, so we have the next two days off. We have an errand to run for Duane here in Quiche tomorrow, but for the most part, we'll be here, playing Mommy and Daddy. Oh, on Wednesday, Diego (see above) is supposed to come to the hospital here so we'll probably spend a bit of time with that family, too.

The first pic is of Heidi and Isaac in clinic, about a minute after the aforementioned "incident". The second is of Diego. The third is of the Fickers' new plane (YAY!) and the fourth is of the progress that's been made on the first plane (also YAY!)