Riobamba: Day 5

0 CommentsThursday • April 5, 2012 • by admin

We spent our last day back in Cebadas. Once again, the people of the village hard at work pouring the concrete for the new patio – which posed some challenges to setting up the clinic again. It was another day of memorable patients. One of the highlights of the day was when Dr. Maciello was able to use the echocardiogram machine to ultrasound a pregnant woman’s belly. The young woman and practitioners were equally fascinated to see the baby and hear its heartbeat. We were also fortunate enough to have the mayor as one of our patients! It’s amazing that out of all the patients we saw over the last five days, only about two or so had high blood pressure. Almost every person – young, old, male, female – had a blood pressure that only deviated slightly, if at all, from the textbook pressure of 120/80 mmHg. The same thing cannot be said about us Americans where hypertension is all too common.

Before we left for the day, we handed out food and hygienic supplies to the villagers. Some of us even left our sneakers as we parted ways. Even though it may feel like our lives are worlds apart, the bottom line remains the same; we are all human and we all appreciate the help of one another. I think in the end, the people we’ve met in Ecuador have given us more than we’ve given to them.

Don’t forget to check out the pictures here.

Riobamba: Day 4

0 CommentsWednesday • April 4, 2012 • by admin

An early start seems to be a common thread through the days. After breakfast, we loaded the bus for an hour bus ride through the beautiful Andes Mountain side to Cebadas. We were welcomed by the leader and members of the community who were already hard at work doing repairs on the school. We set up patient rooms and were ready to help more patients.

It was immediately evident the people have a close knit community and hard work ethic. The women of the community were hammering away old cement to repair the patio of the school; many working with children strapped to their backs. Medically, we saw the product of their hard work ethic; many of their ailments were related to weight bearing labor. Our day of work, providing medical care for the community was easy in comparison to the work they put in each day.

One of the most memorable patients of the day was Carlos, a rescue worker for the mountain of Chimborazo. Despite great pain, he continues to work on call 24-hours per day to save lives at the icy peaks of Chimborazo. He had a large smile on his face at all times. He was extremely thankful to receive a hand full of Advil. The only thing that came to our minds was to tell him in Spanish that he is “un héroe” (a hero).

After yet another delicious lunch break we took a walk around the area to view the culture and breathtaking scenery. Local villagers were kind enough to invite us onto their land to view their way of life. Many of us got to hold a baby lamb, sit on a donkey, play with ducklings, feed the pigs, and so much more. It was amazing how well the people have adapted to farming on the steep slopes of the Andes. Their irrigation systems utilize the slope of the mountains to collect and distribute the water to the crops. This reminds us how simplicity can be so effective.

Tomorrow we’ll be back in the same area for a second day of medical care. I’m sure that by the time we arrive in the morning, the cement for the new patio will already be drying.

Make sure you check out the photos here.

Riobamba: Day 3

0 CommentsTuesday • April 3, 2012 • by admin

It is hard to believe that we have only been here for three days. Today was a new experience; we had the opportunity to go out into the community to see patients. It was another early start. After breakfast we headed over to the clinic to pack up all of the supplies to set up a “makeshift clinic.” The patients were already lined up when we arrived, indicating a full day’s work ahead.

After splitting into five main groups (cardiology, gynecology, pediatrics, and two general medicine tents), and seeing over 100 patients, we find ourselves back on the bus recapping the highlights of today’s events. An older gentleman was in awe when he got to see his wife’s heart on an echocardiogram machine for the first, and probably only, time in his life. An elderly woman who, 16 years ago, suffered from extensive facial burns welled up with tears when we were able to give her sunglasses and eyedrops to help her stinging eyes; such a simple gesture, yet so appreciated and touching. There were many children, with coughs and colds and other primary care issues. They were given free toothbrushes, toothpaste, school supplies, and hugs.

The language barrier is difficult to overcome and seems to present daily challenges. Despite picking up some of the language, we resort to body language and medical charades quite often. Today, we were fortunate enough to work with a group of local students (average age of 15) who are learning English; their progress was amazing!

It’s still so overwhelming for us to see how greatful and appreciative the Ecuadorian culture is. The simplest gestures seem to mean the world to the people here; a smile, a handshake, and an attentive ear to talk to can sometimes be the best medicine.

Don’t forget to check out the pictures Here.

Riobamba: Day 2

0 CommentsMonday • April 2, 2012 • by admin

This morning we arrived at the clinic bright and early to start the day. After finally getting a night’s worth of sleep everyone was energized and ready to see and treat patients. Today was more eventful than yesterday. Out of our 55 patients, we were able to give an elderly man a new pair of glasses, administer a breathing treatment to a young girl, and announce to a woman that she was expecting her first child. One of our best patients was a 7 year-old girl who we discovered had a heart murmur. She was kind and patient and allowed each of us to listen to her heart with a stethoscope. After we listened we put the ear speculums in both her ears and her brother’s ears so they could listen to the beating of her corazón (heart) too!

During our lunch break it was so clear outside that we were able to see the top of Mount Chimbarazo from the roof of the clinic. Surprisingly the weather has been beautiful and there have only been a few minor headaches (thankfully) within our group from the high altitude of Riobamba. Today was our last day in the clinic, tomorrow we head out to local communities to screen and hopefully be able to treat minor ailments.

Remember to check out all the pictures in the Photo Gallery.

Riobamba: Day 1

0 CommentsSunday • April 1, 2012 • by admin

Blanca’s House has arrived in Ecuador! After a six and a half hour flight and a five hour bus ride through the beautiful Andes Mountains we were finally ready to get some food in our bellies and begin setting up Dulce Refugio clinic in Riobamba, Ecuador. Upon arriving at the clinic we ate alunch that never seemed to end – just what we needed after our long travel.nnAfter lunch we quickly got to work establishing exam rooms and a computer center in the empty (but fantastic) clinic.

Setting up was the easy part. As nerves started to build up, we waited for our first patients to arrive. I don’t think we had any idea how difficult it would be to ask our patients the simplest questions. But, with iPhone translators in hand (and of course Andrea) we were able to successfully complete our first clinical day in Ecuador seeing about fifteen patients in total, with symptoms ranging from skin rashes to gynecological issues. Tomorrow will be an even busier day; the clinic is expecting to attract over one hundred people.

In the evening, we were treated to a very special welcome ceremony by the gracious people from the clinic, Dulce Refugio. It was heartwarming in many ways; bringing many of the speakers from both Blanca’s House and the Foundation to the brink of tears. We all feel very welcomed and greatly look forward to the week ahead.

Please take a look at our pictures over the week here.

Our Physician Assistant Mission Team Arrives In Ecuador

0 CommentsSaturday • March 31, 2012 • by admin

TEAM MEMBERS

Kari Rose Albery

Anastasia Artemou

Nicole Anne Baseil

Sarah Boss

Alexandra Marie Cangero

Jeanne Marie Cavalieri

Lauren Elizabeth Cavalieri

Paul Cella

Kingel Desai

Jacklyn Guill

Jeffery William Lawrence

Rebecca Mahony

Michael Masciello

Michaela Masciello

Evan Miller

Andrea Morgado

Brittany Morrissey

Kristen Paul

Daniela Sciullo

Kathryn Sturgeon

Julio Villamar

Erin Wilson Kavanagh

Healthcare Promises Fulfilled!

0 CommentsWednesday • March 28, 2012 • by admin

WONDERFUL NEWS!

One of the little ones screened in Las Playas, Ecuador was a two-year-old little girl with a rare cleft (Tessier Number 3). Blanca’s House initiated the paperwork required by Stony Brook Hospital to provide her treatment on a pro-bono basis. If the surgery was performed in Las Playas while the mission team was there, it would have only been one procedure; not the ideal correction.

We received approval from Stony Brook. Plastic Surgery, Anesthesia, Peadiatrics and Radiology agreed to pro-bono their in-hospital services. She and her mom will be flying into New York sometime in July. The correction will now occur in two stages over eight weeks; a tissue expander will be first as an out- patient procedure in order to expand her cheek to obtain the necessary skin and soft tissue for reconstruction. Six weeks after the tissue expander, her cleft and bone graft surgery will be performed as an in-patient procedure….and then the recovery begins…

Blanca’s House reaches out…

0 CommentsMonday • March 26, 2012 • by admin

When the Blanca’s House team was in Riobamba, Ecuador last year, the doctors treated a woman with Multiple Sclerosis. She is in her 40′s and had no way of getting around independently. Her only means of ”transportation” was being carried on her husband’s back.