Sunday, December 09, 2007

Max Journal 12

I had a good week full of visitors and business in the clinics. I started the week in Global Healing working with Jen and Charles as Sara wrapped her trip to the mainland. The father of our previous week's ranula patient returned to tell us that his son had been in the Woods Medical Center all weekend being treated with antibiotics. If this is true and the swelling truly went down, then the Global Healing doctor's diagnosis seems unlikely, but we just emphasized the importance of traveling to the mainland for a specialist's attention. I always have to remind myself that some physicians' opinions, put forth with great confidence, are nonetheless wrong.

On Tuesday we had very few patients and I was able to leave the Global Healing clinic early to run some errands. On Tuesday evening Christine returned from a somewhat disappointing trip to the mainland with a patient.

On Wednesday I faced the cruise ship security forces once again to pick up a large donation of used mattresses.

Thursday and Friday I spent in the clinic, doing mostly pharmacy work.

I did my best to coordinate the transportation of three of Peggy's patients to visit an American cardiac brigade in San Pedro Sula. They departed on Saturday morning and I haven't heard from them since they were supposed to have arrived, so I hope that all went well.

On Tuesday afternoon I returned to tutor at the bilingual school and was disappointed that no students came. I was quickly reminded of the uselessness of providing a community service that isn't desired by a community. On Thursday afternoon Christine and I helped set up for a fundraiser in the Roatan airport. The event was a success, and it was humorous to see so many wealthy people putting on fancy shoes in the name of poor islanders' health.

I also dropped an injured bird off at a nature reserve on Peggy's request.

I am getting ready for my departure from this island, and I look forward to a few more quiet days enjoying the scenery before I leave.