An Opportunity to Grow

"Just because you don't know doesn't mean you aren't good enough, it means you have an opportunity to grow," said Stephanie Ibemere as we ended our first medical debrief. We have spent about 5 months preparing for this trip. We practiced medical skills, Spanish skills, learned about the Guatemalan culture, and developed as a team. As a team we have gotten so much closer and our friendships will last a lifetime. Today was the first day of clinic and I was ready.

I learned so much today. I began my morning in glasses with Rabbi Abie. really feeling like I still have my spanish skills because I got to use them because rabbi can’t really speak Spanish. My favorite patient was a woman who I did all by myself. Her eyes lit up and I don’t even know how to describe her thankfulness. I had no idea what I was getting into with glasses. I have never had glasses or contacts so I learned the different prescriptions.

In the afternoon, I was in triage. I loved it. As a nursing major, we are able to do these skills in clinicals in the US but here it is so different. Our patients are so thankful. One of our patients passed out as Maddie took his blood sugar. His eyes rolled in the back of the head and passed out. They had a pulse but he was having PVCs and so they think he had a heart attack. Kristen and Stephanie were amazing. Anyway, no one had aspirin until Osie ran down hill to get some. He got some aspirin and the ambulance was called. 

Kristen and Stephanie were able to critically think and I am striving to be that. I have the best teachers in the world. I have learned so much in clinic and it has only been one day. I just want to thank the medical team for all they do. I am ready to grow emotionally, spiritually, and in knowledge.

Margaret Sullivan