Monday, Tuesday in León,

Monday/Tuesday in León, June 22 - 23, 2015
Monday:
If you don't understand a word Carol says, you understand that everything is ok.  So we learned that we could not work in the Clinic where we had originally planned to work, but we understood we had a place that maybe would have one or two rooms to work in.  While the week before they were short of providers, this week we have five plus our Medical Director, Dr. Ilana Addis.
 
So Monday comes and we walk a block from Hotel Real to Asociación Mary Barreda, an NGO where the focus is on working with victims of violence and preventing violence against women and children.  There is an ante room, then a step into the back area.  Like most buildings in Leon, it has the idea of an inner courtyard that is open to the air.  Each room is off that courtyard.

We walk into a room that is perhaps 11 x 20 and thankfully has a small wall air conditioner unit and two fans.  This turns out to be our cryotherapy room and command center.  We do the teaching, the computer entry, storage of bags and general planning in this room.  There is a rope with a sheet to divide it into an exam room as well.

There is a small exam room that Dr. Alborz uses and this is also the LEEP room.  Then an open kitchen like area that is divided into two exam areas, in the open air half is the sterilization area.

The first day we see nine patients--thanks to Carol wanting to make sure the day went smoothly.  It really did go smoothly.

In addition to the usual teaching activities, Dr. Alborz Alali gave a lecture to the four OB/GYN residents who came, and it was well received. Dr. Eduardo Zapata interpreted for him.

Tuesday:  
Original Plan Dr. Alborz gives lecture at 7am or 8am to students and faculty about cervical cancer, but Monday night in an attempt to learn the real time, we find it was moved to Friday. This morning starts, only two nurse trainees are here before 9.  We get a call at 8:30am asking where Alborz is--there are 70 people waiting to hear his talk....
Breath...  The lecture went well.

Ended seeing 14 patients in the morning and at least one in the afternoon. Three cyros and one LEEP were done.  Teaching of three OB/GYN residents and three nurses and one general physician in two groups for the afternoon

Evening plan seems to be going out to music and then dinner.  After a cold shower.

 Dr. Carol Kimball, PINCC volunteer in Leon