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04/08/10

Once again the weeks have flown by at a disorderly pace; all at once chaotic and meaningful. My last weekend off brought an addition of 2.5 days, allowing a trip to El Salvador with my fellow American, Liana. Upon returning to Casa Bernabe, my 5 day stretch of work commenced, minus the two other adults of the house. The time was surprisingly enjoyable – tiring, but a wonderful time to share with Anna Louisa and my weekend girls in cleaning, playing, and caring with and for our house. In a way, the break from the routine made the time pass all that more quickly.

Since then Tuesday brought an afternoon at the Dr.’s, during which Claudia (our newest edition to Casa Lamar in the last 2 weeks) was prescribed glasses – how do you keep glasses on a 4 year old? Also, Mauricio, who has had a foul smelling odor from his nose (as well as foul looking/continual mucous), had some object pulled from his nostril – hopefully with a good dose of antibiotics we can all give him un besso (a kiss) once again without passing out. Wednesday morning was full from catching up on leftover clinic stuff, all the while looking forward to heading out that night for a “gringo party.” And while I did have a night out, it ended up being spent in the hospital.

For some reason a trampoline was donated to the orphanage. One of the cargada’s (parents in charge) sons was playing and well, the day ended with a supercondylar fracture and the opportunity to check out a real hospital. It helped that the dad knew the Dr., but honestly, the hospital was a breath of fresh air compared to what I had slept in the time before. Like most 5 year olds, el chiquito nino survived the xrays, IV, anesthesia, and even the operation to place the pin. I was amazed at the rapidity of which all the events transpired. While walking down the steps to the house, I heard the child screaming at about 4:45. We then left for the hospital by 5:30, there by 6, five minutes later the x-ray was completed. By 7:30 the IV was placed and the traumatologist was on his way. Surgery started about 9:00 and el nino was recovering/waking up by 11:00 when the grandmother and I left the hospital. God blessed the ER with a slow night and it was just refreshing to be in a hospital that just felt efficient – something to be said for private health care!

At the moment, I am sitting in another hospital, waiting for a cardiology check up for one of the little ones in my house. I was up at 5 after a less than restful night, showered Jaunito, got myself ready and then headed out the door by 5:30. We’ve been here since 7am, it’s about 11 am now. We’ve been checked in but still waiting for the “8 am” appointment. The movement and agitation in the waiting room is all too similar to what I often watched take place with my ER’s waiting room. Except now I’m one of the non-native language speaking moms sitting in the uncomfortable chairs, with the glazed over look of only half comprehension, and feeling the onset of exhaustion. I now understand why after repeatedly calling of the Spanish patient’s names in the ER, they never come. Waiting rooms are loud, the kids are already crying, your child’s name is being called by a speaker of a different tongue, and well, sometimes you just zone out. I’ve already asked if I missed the Dr. calling our name, the nurse was all too unhelpful, and I’m now contemplating if it’s time to go annoy them again … but well, I don’t want to be that parent.

Thankfully, my weekend off is coming up and I’m hoping to find a place to simply sleep, rest, and maybe go for a long run. I need a break from traveling and, well, everything else as well. However, that need does not come from a place of discontentment or frustration (well at times the later). But to repeat myself form other posts, life is full and God is good. Even in the past week events have taken place confirming no only the surety of my contentment/love for this place and the family here; but also that Casa Bernabe needs me, they want me, and this is beginning to feel like my life … more specifics on these “events” in my next post.

For now I’ve posted some pics from my latest travels and posted a new edition to the blog - my travel journal. At times I’m inspired to pen while on the road and while the lines may blur between these posts and my others, I’m going to attempt to mark everything with appropriate tags. Missing you all … p.s. skype is wonderful, feel free to check it out, and maybe catch up with me as well! Love ya!