Today was the slowest day in the clinic yet. It began a bit frantically because we were short-staffed this morning, but the steady flow of patients tapered off really quickly after only 2 and a half hours.
I had the chance to work in the archives during the crazy rush this morning. I filed away patient records from the previous day and pulled the records for today's exams while Ninoska answered the phone and Nayasha created files for new patients. Sraavya and Leah worked in pre-clinic today.
The rest of the morning was pretty slow because we ran out of work to do. But thankfully, there were surgeries this afternoon with patients from this week's brigadas. UFS' policy about the free surgeries is that a UFS volunteer or affiliated doctor is required to observe and sign off on the surgery. Today was my turn! I observed Dr. Murcia perform three cataract removal surgeries. These surgeries are performed while the patient is still awake, although they are given a light sedative to relax them. Dr. Murcia calmly talked to each patient before he began and he started each of the surgeries "en el nombre de Dios." In this type of cataract surgery, the lens of the eye containing the cataract is removed and replaced with a new, artificial lens. In the next day or two, the patient can return for a post-op appointment. Unfortunately, I won't be able to be there for these patients' post-op visits, but the exciting thing about these eye surgeries is that the recovery is quick!
After work today, we were invited to go watch the Honduran soccer game with a couple of our co-workers at the clinic. We're excited to watch the team play tonight and experience such a prominent part of Honduran culture!
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