Hola otra vez de La Ceiba

Classes are plugging along - but the days are flying by! In the afternoons we are volunteering at the public hospital, which has been very eye-opening. JR spent last week in the E.R. and I was in the labor and delivery ward. Things are very different here as supplies and medicines are very limited. In L & D they are delivering the babies with only gloves as they have no sterile gowns, masks, etc. C-sections are vertical in most cases (depending on the doctor - not on the situation). And anesthetics - forget it - these women are delivering without any pain meds; although lacerations and episiotomies are repaired with local lidocaine.

The E.R. was an incredible experience for JR. Last week he saw an older gentleman with tetanus, a severe hand vs. machete injury resulting in 3 severed tendons, and an accidental electrocution. The poor boy with the hand injury walked three hours to get to the local clinic (Centro de Salud), which fortunately had a visiting American medical mission team with IV supplies. They started an IV before beginning the 3 hour journey in the back of a pick-up truck to the closest hospital (La Ceiba). He was treated that night by the in-house orthopaedist, but it is doubtful that he will regain complete function of his hand. The doctors here are incredibly talented, but unfortunately they are limited by their supplies.

One more week in La Ceiba and then we are off to Danli, a city south of the capital, Tegucigalpa. We hope all is well with you all.
Blessings,
Lindsay and JR