Friday Recap - day 6

Yesterday (7/21) included morning clinic with Alisa, afternoon clinic with Dierdre, and wandering around a bit with Alisa in preparation for the girls' sleepover she had last night. In clinic yesterday, we mainly saw people with sore throats, stomach pains, and muscle pains. For sore throats, we ask how long they've had it and try to first determine whether it is bacterial or viral. If bacterial and affecting the upper respiratory tract, we can give antibiotics (amoxicillin 250mg 5-7 days BID). That's what we gave to Cleo. If viral, we usually give tylenol to bring down any fever and reduce the throat pain. Then we tell them to come back in 3 days if it doesn't improve. For indigestion/stomach gas pain, we give omeprazole or protonix or maalox. What amazes me is that Alisa and Dierdre always seem to know just what to give. For muscle pains, our best friend is good ol' Ibuprofen. Marlyn is getting penicillin every day because she miscarried. Little Raven's burns are looking better - I got to tend them.

I had a blast yesterday playing with the kids (their favorite thing seems to be horse rides and swinging around in circles until everyone is dizzy). Little Jamal (the 2-year-old son of Mary, whose husband, John, just passed) became our little buddy during that time and has the most adorable little voice.

We're giving Rocephin (a powerful antibiotic) to Esley, who has been fighting infection for several weeks now. I'm glad to see he seems to get around very well in a wheelchair despite having paraplegia. I gave him an injection today in the middle of the path as several men in the community were just standing around him chatting about the cool Carribean breeze. Such a different way of health care. Such a different way of life.