July has been a busy month; we started the month with a small break, and we took a girls’ trip to the beach to celebrate Hilda’s birthday! But before we could go to the beach, Michael, Bianca, and I took another trip to Ocoa, this time to see the dental team operating at full capacity in the locations. Their dental team functions a lot like our mobile medical teams, but they have a lot more stuff. All I know is Monchy is going to need a bigger trailer. Of course, a trip to Ocoa meant spending just a few minutes with Sister Teo. I actually ran her back to the house to help her get something left behind for the day, so I got a little extra time with her. Maybe I’ll take some time to see her during our time off in the fall, but I do know she has plans to travel to Canada. As I said, we spent a couple of days at the beach, in our time off, and relaxed by the pool all day long. Our break was short, and while the girls headed back to San Juan, I stayed in Santo Domingo to pick up the team coming in for the next week. We finished up our last two VBS teams, and have moved back into medical. With VBS teams, I have a little less responsibility, but I’m always around to help however possible. I was able to get everything squared away in the new pharmacy area, thanks to the help of one family who stayed back to work a few days; everything was ready to go to welcome back our barrio teams this week!
We are quickly approaching our summer break; we have 2 more teams left. I’m looking forward to our team from Bradley University; they are the last team before break, but they also get to work at CAID. CAID is a hospital for children with neurodivergent disorders, autism, and other issues. It’s a government-run hospital that we were able to connect with last summer. A month ago, CAID asked us if the teachers coming would mind hosting an education day for a local therapist. They, of course, said yes, and we organized a Zoom call to meet with the therapist to discuss the topics. Before the local therapist was even on the chat, the two Americans said: “Is this the Franklin we know?” I responded, “I’m not sure; I don’t know Franklin.” Franklin responded, “Hi Pam, it’s me!” I couldn’t help but smile. I watched all their faces light up as they saw each other on Zoom for the first time in a few years, and I thought to myself, how sweet is this that a connection from so many years ago circles back to being able to work with each other again. God is sweet.
I think it’s normal to experience moments of discouragement, and for God to send a reminder that He sees you. A few weeks ago I was standing in the airport to pick up a team, and a lady came over to me and shared her experience with Solid Rock. She used to live in the south and was connected to us by a teen needing orthopedic surgery. She was encouraging that the work we do matters, and that because of the work we do (in the past and now), that young man is doing well. That same day I went to pick up the team’s pizza; it seemed easier because I needed to get plates and other items. Someone parked so closely to my car I couldn’t get in (I swear he got out of the passenger side of his car to go into the store). Anyways, I had 12 boxes of pizza in the front seat, PriceSmart items in the back, and no way in. I asked the security guard for help; he couldn’t help me when suddenly a nice lady said: “You need to move it just a little” (In Spanish, of course), and I said yes, please! She managed to squeeze in to pull the truck forward a little while telling me what an abuse it was for someone to park like that. She pulled the truck out, and before I knew it she was gone. Thanks, God!
Recently I have been feeling tired almost every day, and that’s been without medical teams here that I work more heavily with. Don’t worry, my nurse Sarah is making sure I get my labs done sooner rather than later (Thanks Sarah). But I also think I am exhausted from all the things I balance behind the scenes. I don’t feel like I am burnt out, but I was able to find a six-week cohort through Train International that I started two weeks ago. It’s called Missions Beyond Burnout. I’m hoping that this cohort can do one of two things for me. Help me realize I am burned out, and how to move through it and be reenergized for our mission and my work. Or help me realize I’m not burnt out, but could be on the way, and give me tools to realize what I need to avoid it.
This week we were able to help host CPR training at the clinic to train some staff in ACLS. This is a first step in delivering ICU training for the staff. We also have an individual coming in a few weeks to provide some education before our break. Education is hard because my main goal is always doing what is needed, not what we think is best, while also bridging the gaps between American health standards and what is available here. This week the team commented that while nurses and doctors here might not have all the same medications or devices available, they make it work. And I’ll be honest, that’s so encouraging to hear!
With summer break comes a trip home! I’ll be able to be with my sister for her last chemotherapy; she has been doing incredibly well, and has just now had to take a small reduction in her dosing due to some side effects. Our mom, dad, and her husband have been by her side for the last 4 months to make sure she isn’t alone at treatments, although I’m sure she would be just fine sitting there alone. And through this whole process, I am reminded how lucky I am to have an office full of people I know and trust looking out for and caring for her like they would their own family. I can’t thank them enough; you never expect to be the person in the seat or needing the help, but I’m thankful we had the right people to call. We are planning a sweet celebration with a sundae from DeBrand! I’m also looking forward to spending time with my younger sister who is currently expecting my second niece! Charlotte “Charlie” will be here in January. While I can’t be home for her baby shower, and she’ll probably be a few months old when I finally get to hold her (we aren’t gonna talk about it), I’m hoping that while I’m home we can do some baby shower planning and a sister road trip to Ikea for nursery items.
Before I go home, I thought I’m so excited to go to the Central American and Caribbean Games this weekend! If you know me at all, you know I LOVE the Olympics. My sister thinks I’m crazy, but I remember watching the opening ceremonies one year with my dear friend Amy and falling in love. Anyways, I feel like the games are like the mini Olympics, and I took my chance and got baseball tickets for Friday night, and I get to watch the Dominican team play! There have been some local San Juan athletes competing as well.
Looking forward to the fall/winter, I am excited to have a surgery team on our calendar, and we keep working to build back up the number of surgery teams we are hosting. I also have been working a lot with the local college to bring some education opportunities and would love to see a few schools partner with them throughout the year to encourage the nursing students and staff.
Prayer Requests:
– Meaningful time in my cohort
– Rest in our summer break
– Meaningful time with my family and friends in Indiana
– ICU education coordination
