Hey Everyone!

Today was our second to last day at the bateys. In order to get to the beach this afternoon, we got a very early start this morning leaving the hotel at 7:30 and going straight to the bateys! I worked as a scribe today helping Dr. Bliss and learned a lot while watching her work with the patients. Most of the problems that we saw were aches and pains (stomach, headache, you name it). Unfortunately the most we can do is give them some medicine to ease the pain, because things like CAT scans to figure out exactly what the problem is is not readily available. These people are extremely grateful even for this little bit of help, and it was great being able to see their happiness at finally having their problems understood and addressed. On the ride back we got to try some sugar cane which was DELICIOUS! Very sweet (obviously) but surprisingly different than what I expected. It tasted kind of like pears...and was very messy. I got sugar juice all over my scrubs! The rest of the day was spent at the beach soaking up some rays and playing a little bit of soccer (just to let you know the girls won 8-4!)

- Sherilyn

Alright so I'll try to not write a novel like everyone else, but a lot has been going on! In the beginning of the week, I took blood pressure for the first two days. This was great because I was able to interact with every patient that came into the clinic. When taking the BP of the pregnant girls, some of which were 15 and 16, I was able to hear the child kicking through the stethiscope. When talking to the kids of the bateys, my Spanish somehow just came out. Being out of the class room and in a real life situation where communication is key, I was somehow able to step out of my comfort zone and really try to talk to the kids (unless they spoke Creol!). During my time as a scribe with Dr. Miner, many of the patients and even the translator thought I was an actual doctor. Today, Liam and I were on de-worming duty and were able to play with all of the children. One of the kids called me over and whispered in my ear "thank you". Although very simple, this meant so much to me because a child went out of his way to let me know how thankful he was for what were are doing. I have experienced more here in a week than many do in a lifetime, and I look forward to my final two days in the D.R.
And yes mom, I am wearing sunblock!!!
-Kirk N.

Well, this week has been an amazing experience, as expected. I won't say much since much has already been said to consume your time. In a recap of the week, I will say it has been hectic. We have had a lot to do and time always seems to be against us, but the work we have done speaks volumes to the resolve and hard-working nature of this group. My work has been busy with the pharmacy for 2 days, scribing for one, and de-worming (giving children stomach medecine) today with Kirk. The pharmacy was intense, filling prescriptions and making sure that patients get the needed drugs. Scribing was great because I got a chance to talk to patients about their problems and even administer a diabetes test. De-worming basically meant playing with the kids all day. While throwing the ball with some of the children, I realized why so many major league baseball scouts seek talent in the DR. A 4 year old kid had an arm better than many of the Little Leaguers I remember playing with in Rhode Island. Overall, the trip has been exhausting but a real beneficial experience for everyone involved.
The thing that has affected me the most on this trip is the people. Everyone needs so much yet everyone is happy. They are proud people living on less than 7 dollars a day per family (try that in the states) who need so much help but yet only take what they are given and are always graceous. At home, I am a habitual Ibprofen user for headaches or pains. It has never been a problem for me to go to CVS and buy a cheap bottle of Ibprofen. It amazes me that when I feel a prescription for Ibprofen down here for one month, that will be all the pain meds they get all year. And they are working 10-12 hour days at least 6 days a week in the fields chopping down sugar cane, which is very physically intense work. It really gets me thinking of the way Americans demand so much but yet have such a good life in comparison to the people down here. This has been a wonderful experience, one that I wish that everyone in the US could have at least one in their lives.
-Liam Miner