ASELSI and More

Today was our weekly clinic at ASELSI in Chichicastenango. First, we must ask for prayers for Sharon. She is dealing with a personal health issue and we ask for your prayer coverage on her - that all will be well and that there is nothing serious to worry about.

We had our normal full load of patients today - some prenatals, some diabetics, a few sick kids, a new cleft palate, and a patient we were very thankful to have Jason around for.

Today was Jason's last day here. Matt took him to Guatemala City today to catch his flight out first thing in the morning. Jason's specialty is in orthopedics. Today we had a 29-year-old patient who had her leg amputated above the knee about six months ago due to bone cancer. She told us that her husband drinks and that he fell down and hit her in her stump. After that, she developed this golf ball-sized lump on that leg.

Following a discussion with Jason and a call to Dr. Hoak (who had done the original amputation), we are looking at a couple of possibilities. One is that she just has a big hematoma (think: bruise) that has gotten infected. Another is that the cancer was able to spread and that she has a fast growing metastasis. Clearly, the bruise would be preferable. Heidi is going to take a closer look at Buen Samaritano next week.

After clinic, while Matt and Jason were on their way to Guatemala City, Heidi, Isaac, and Cecy (our translator) drove (and walked) out to Carolina's house. Carolina is another one of our translators at ASELSI who just had a baby. So it was nice to be able to go visit her and her new baby (who is SOOOO cute!)

After arriving home from that, one of the cleft kids we're helping with milk came by and got another big can of formula. He's not growing tremendously fast (10 oz. in a month) but he's growing and looks MUCH better. He's even got some fat around his belly now. The dad told us that he's sure the baby would have died without our help. Heidi let him know that it doesn't have too much to do with us, but rather God who provided the milk. He said that he understood that, but was still appreciative towards us.

Speaking of appreciation, Heidi went to go check on her surgical patient from yesterday at the hospital in Chichi and was given two beautiful rebosos (locally handmade cloths that are used for pretty much everything). One was for her and the other is for "the other doctor who helped you". So, Jason, you got paid for your work. We'll have to ship it to you!

In pics, the first two show Cecy learning how to do prenatal ultrasounds. She has a real aptitude for it. She started nursing school this past weekend and will be a fabulous nurse and a real blessing to her patients.

Next is a picture of our new cleft patient, Roberto.

Then are two pics of Carolina and her new baby, along with Cecy and Isaac.

Tomorrow, Heidi may go to Buen Samaritano for her regular OB/GYN clinic, or we may have to play hooky and go up to Zona Reyna. Katie and Leslie went up today and saw well over 100 patients and they're begging them to come back tomorrow. If they decide to go, Heidi will probably go with them, meaning that Isaac and Matt will hang out in Canilla for the day. (It's only a 15 minute flight.)