Thanksgiving

When I think of some of the challanges I have recenntly faced...

1. I am thankful for the sun, the ocean, the sand, good food and drink. Oh yes, and Skype!
2. I, for one, am also thankful for nurses drawing blood, but since we draw our own here, I am thankful that I still remember how.
3. I am thankful for transdermal bilirubin devices. These would have made managing several of the patients this week (inpatient and outpatient) more efficient. Tempermental lab equipment makes bilirubin a send-out lab, of course when least convenient. Since bili lights are limited and the bulbs do not last forever, transdermal bilis could be quite cost and resource effective.
4. I am thankful for urinalysis and urine dips being completed the same day. It was frustrating to evaluate for UTI when it took two days to determine whether or not leukocytes and bacteria were present. I'm still unclear as to why this happens here because the dipsticks are the same that we use.
5. Mostly, though, I am thankful for the opportunity to volunteer in Jamaica. The relationships and experiences here are priceless ones. I am defineately more savvy that when I first arrived.

One of the great things about being here on the resort is having so many of the things that I love to do right here in one place. After work, on most days I immediately change clothes and hit the tennis court. My game has much improved! On the weekends, its water sports and napping on the beach. Now I will say this, I am a whole lot more tired that I was back in the States but not for the reasons you might think. Basically before work in the mornings Amanda and I have been hitting the gym. So after tennis in the evening, I'm uttery exhausted! Why so much in one day you ask? Well around here there's way too much great food (and beverage) around in one day. So the choice is clear, burn calories or buy new clothes!

Week 1

There has been so much going on this week, I hardly know what to say. All three clinics that we visit are right on the ocean-such a beautiful view. Not what I normally see when I look out the window from clinic. I will say that I will definitely be taking dramamine before my next trip to Port Antonio. I had no idea that Jamaica was so hilly. I saw a lot of typical skin issues this week: eczema, tinea, scabies, etc. I am also becoming familiar with "Deworming". This is definitely not something I need to do regularly on my usual clinic patients. I had a 3 1/2 year old boy come to see me in clinic on Thursday who has Autism and though mom is sure she has heard that word, I don't think her son has ever officially had the diagnosis. He has only 5 words and as expected, has many social problems which do not allow him to engage in preschool at all. He receives speech therapy only once every 3 months and has seen a psychologist for behaviors only once. After discussion with Dr. Ramos, I referred him to the child Neurologist in Kingston that usually evaluates in these cases. I actually heard on the radio earlier in the week that the social support for Autism is lacking in Jamaica, but I really hope that the Neurologist is able to provide some more appropriate referrals for this child-at least more that I was able to do. It is difficult to treat some of the children who present,simply because I am not at all familiar with the system of medical care here. I really appreciate all of the help I have been receiving from Dr. Ramos, Dr. San San and all of the other general practice physicians who have been more than willing to answer all of my MANY questions. I did get to enjoy some relaxation time on the beach this weekend as well. There is no better place to read than on a beautiful beach.

Purchase a Couples Resorts Calendar to help Issa Trust Foundation initiatives!

Received my Couples Resorts Calendar that I purchased today! See a picture of one of our medical teams!  Couples -On behalf of all the children touched by the Issa Trust Foundation, we send you heartfelt thanks for your generous purchase of our exclusive Couples Resorts Calendar!The Couples Resorts 2012 Calendar is now available for those who make a charitable contribution to Issa Trust Foundation.
http://www.issatrustfoundation.com/04-donate.htm
For a $30 donation to the Issa Trust Foundation we will be pleased to send you a beautiful 2012 Couples Resorts Calendar. If you would like two calendars, donate $50.

November Pediatric Residents

Welcoming November Residents, Amanda L. Parsley, DO., Pediatric Residency, Saint Louis University School of Medicine at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center; and Ndidi Onyejiaka, M.D., who is currently a Tulane third year Triple Board Resident.