¿Puedo entrar su casa?

Today was a fabulous day had by all! From here on out, we will be working clinicals six days per week, so most of the blogs will be from my perspective. We've been discussing some stuff about "Guest Posts" and photo sharing--so stay tuned! Hopefully I don't bore you with my own experiences.

After the regular morning routine, we all headed out for our clinicals. Us 10 students are paired each day so there are five locations we work in the morning and five others we work at in the afternoon (yay, siesta!). This morning, Kerry and I had the opportunity to work in the hospice in which there are eight patients. Our primary role was bathing the patients and changing them/their bedding so they were clean.

I think the most shocking discovery from our morning experience was how the nurses there do not waste resources like we do in the U.S. Although changing gloves so often is critical to keep the patient and healthcare providers safe, we were not required to change gloves between patients or even between cares. For example, with one woman we bathed her, changed her Depend, and added new sheets, then switched over to cleaning the multiple pressure ulcers she had all over her ankles and hips. In the U.S.,  that would never have happened. I feel like the motto in American hospitals is almost, "Gloves Galore!" We were also put to work packaging gauze for future use which was sterilzed in a warmer. Seeing firsthand where their tools come from was awesome because in my previous bedside settings, everything comes in sterile packages from some imaginary nowhere. Here in the hospice we unrolled the gauze, cut it, unfolded it, refolded it, wrapped it in wax paper, and placed it in the sterilizer. I felt so indepenent! Below is a photo of part of the process.

Towards the end of our morning shift, we were asked to assist the patients with eating lunch. Here is Kerry below doing an incredible job with two of the patients at the hospice! One patient has chronic malnutrition and does not have the desire to eat. Watching Kerry plead and beg the patient to eat was heart-breaking and heart-warming at the same time. Weird how our emotions function.

On our way back to the parish after the morning rotations, we got to ride in the bed!!! In Peru there are no seatbelt laws aside from the driver and front passenger, so we have been exploring out of the comfort zone on how to ride in the vehicles. Don't worry everyone, the staff members make us sit down and stay safe!!! They protect us like we're their own. :)

(L to R: Stef, Anna, Alex, Kerry, parish staff member)

Sarah and Genevieve also joined in on the fun during one of their truck rides!

Lauren, too! It's such a treat to us overly-cautious Americans ;)

We rode back to the parish and then enjoyed a delicious meal (they seriously feed the heck out of us!!!!). Here are some hooligans after our meal enjoying one anothers' stories and some laughs--okay, many laughs. 

(L to R: Tobin, Asmita, Meghan, Lauren, Kerry, Anna, Stef, Gen)

...and meanwhile, I was on the floor with this little one:

In the afternoon, Kerry and I worked with Social Services delivering food to some families in a very poor village. It was completely eye-opening to see how these people live and how JOYFUL they were in the conditions. Upon walking into the first home, I was floored.The walls were made of mud and straw, the floors of mud, and the roofs (if present) of aluminum sheets. The families were so proud of their homes and found joy in showing us around their quaint and cozy homes. The families also lived in communion with their animals ranging from pigs to bunnies to turkeys to chickens to dogs to chicks. Not only do we care for the people (so, so much), but their animals as well!

These are a few of the bags we delivered to the homes and the content inside these bags are assumed to last the families an entire month. They get a delivery each month.

Below are two views down one of the streets we delivered on (the sun was shining on one end). The streets are made purely of sand, so imagine the dust that flew as we drove the truck through. Still these people radiated joy.

This afternoon Genevieve and Lauren helped lead a birthing class to a few of the pregnant women in the area, and boy are there lots! The women were able to experience relaxation and relief during the class as the leaders guided them through imagery and therapeutic events. They also witnessed a live birth at the hospital this morning, so that was a treat! What a day they had.

Genevieve and Lauren

Gen and Lauren with the birthing class participants.

As the sun set on another glorious day, we were reminded of the goodness in our lives when this was painted across the sky. No matter how poor, how rich, how painful, or how spiritful one's life may be, we all got to watch the same sun set tonight.

Thank you, friends for your continuous support as we advance throughout each day. We are incredibly thankful for your positive thoughts and prayers! We hope that our spirits and love leave a lasting impression on these people as they have already left on us. 

Sending smiles and hugs from Peru!!!

Alex & the gang

PS: As I was writing this post tonight, I caught Tobin playing with one of the niños on the lower patio. For our set-up as students, we have an upper and lower balcony where we hang out during downtime. This little guy was loving the attention and I think it's safe to say that Tobin was also loving some guy time!!!! :) Thanks to Meghan for suggesting this photo.