WEDNESDAY BLOG
Today my roommate and I were out of our room early and actually made it to 6:00 devotional early. God provided us with a gorgeous pink and blue sky to see on our way. Of course I didn’t have my phone to take a picture! Oh well! You will just have to take my word for it. Days at the clinic are long and hot! Therefore all of us are grateful for the evening and early morning crispness.
I shared with the Team that I would like some patient stories to use in the blog. Well, they have complied!
I spent some time this morning with the mobility clinic. Not sure I have ever seen so many people carried on others’ backs or in their arms.
Our pediatric clinic had a precious, 23 day old baby girl, Madison. Her Mom, Kimberly, was concerned that Madison’s toes were overlapped and very crowded. She worried that this deformity might be painful when she started to wear shoes and walk. As a result, she was referred to our onsight pediatric orthopedic surgeon. Thankfully it was determined no further treatment was needed but this service saved this sweet family money and provided much needed reassurance.
Speaking of peds, our two pediatricians grew up in Indiana attending grade school, high school, and med school together. However their paths separated and one now lives in Maine and one in Washington. Serving on Team 849 provided them a special opportunity to work together for the first time!
Another group I learned more about yesterday is those volunteers with the red hats. These are local volunteers, many of whom have been helped by the Faith in Practice medical and/or surgical services. This truly is a partnership with the community!
Dr Mystan Gurkin, general medicine doctor, reminded me that most everyone she has seen has arthritis. Therefore she prescribes Ibuprofen for pain. Since so many of these patients live without running water, even icing down swelling or pain isn’t readily available. Can you imagine not having the over the counter medicine that we all take for granted?
We also found a minute to wish Lucia, one of the FIP staff Happy Birthday and to greet the town’s mayor.
Thank you LORD for the opportunity to share in serving these individuals! Thank you God for the 80 volunteers and staff using their expertise to serve these sweet, patient, beautiful people!
Becky Cade
Estes Medical Clinic Blogger
