miss piggy and the swine flu

Today was so interesting. My roommate Katie asked me to come with her to conduct interviews with mothers who have recently given birth. She is doing a study with one of our nursing professors to gain insight on the significance of giving birth for Ecuadorian women. We rode the ambulance to the health subcentro and started doing diabetes/hypertension screenings. After testing quite a few people, we set out to interview.

Hogar de Cristo gave us a volunteer from the community to help us find people to interview. We needed moms who had given birth in the last six months. We were able to complete three interviews. I loved walking around in the rural communities and seeing where the people actually live. The mothers seemed to love their birthing experience and the treatment they received. This was a lesson for me about ethnocentricity. I saw Sotomayor (baby factory) and thought the moms must hate giving birth there. The care lacks privacy, compassion, and patient advocacy. Surprisingly, each mom raved about the health care professionals and their experiences at the hospital. I realized their expectations at much different than mine and that Sotomayor meets their needs.

The last mother we talked to was such a doll. She was absolutely content and so kind. Her family of seven lived together a small bamboo hut. There was a plastic tub full of water and a large mound of soiled clothing waiting to be washed. Her three youngest children sat on a mattress, while we conducted the interview. I have traveled to developing countries before, but I still love to see the wonderfully happy people in less-than-ideal situations.

Katie teaching me the ropes of interviewing

After then interviews we were walking back to the subcentro when I saw a large pig on the side of the road. I figured it was a sweet photo op so I handed my camera to Katie and crossed the dirt road. As I got closer, I realized the pig was actually REALLY large and I was going to have to jump over a little stream to get to him. I contemplated the whole situation for a second and decided it was worth it.

Contemplating...

So I jumped to the side and slowly stepped towards the napping swine. Katie snapped a picture and we were done right? 

Well, it had all seemed too easy so I decided I could probably get closer without waking the little feller. The moment I picked up my foot to advance, the pig startled, let out a scream-like snort, and jumped up in a hurry. I don't know who was more scared- me or him. I had about the same reaction! I leaped across the little gully and ran to safety (Katie's arms). Our volunteer, Katie, and I laughed our whole way back to the subcentro. Oh goodness. 

That afternoon we met with the nursing students from the Universidad de Guayaquil! It was neat to see their facilities and talk to them about nursing school. We were all pretty pooped from the long day,though. We chit chatted with a few of them, got a tour, and then headed out. On the way home somehow Katie invented the "Perma-smile Game." Basically it's a staring contest but with smiling instead of staring. Four of us in the van smiled the entire ride home. We looked like fools and had the sorest cheeks! We cracked up watching people's reactions to a bunch of white people riding in a fan smiling like lunatics. Wow what we do for fun... 

Then we stopped for ice cream at our favorite place- Fragola. Ecuador just had their first case of swine flu so the workers were taking some precautions. :) I don't know if they were protecting themselves or my ice cream but I'm grateful! We got these huge dipped cones that were absolutely delicious and pretty cool-looking!

After our lovely singing on Sunday, the missionaries had decided to have a musical fireside for investigators with us singing. The boys quartet welcomed me again for our performances. I seriously have to sing an octave lower than the rest of the girls so their kindness is much appreciated. This was actually my first experience with singing in front of people! Yeah I know with my voice you probably thought I had people begging me to perform at any and every church function. :) It was so fun though! I loved watching the people reactions as we sang "Joseph Smith's First Prayer" and "I Need Thee Every Hour." Made me wish I really did have a beautiful singing voice like Ashley! I guess I'll just enjoy my man/smoker's voice for what it's worth. 

Professional Baby Holder

Wednesday was my last day at Sotomayor- the maternity hospital I’ve lovingly nicknamed the “Baby Factory.” I spent the morning providing labor support (kinda like a doula) for one woman. She wasn’t cooperating very much with the doctors because of her pain. Finally when she let the doctors check her, the baby was crowning! (the head was about to come out). So that was a quick delivery…

After she got settled in postpartum, I moseyed up to the well baby nursery. This is one of my favorite parts of a hospital. 

I spent a few hours simply holding babies and talking to the doctor and nurses. Needless to say, it was wonderful. When I was little, I used to tell my parents I was going to be a professional baby holder when I grew up. Well, my dreams are coming true! :) Here are some of the sweet little ones I got to love up. 

The staff was so sweet asking me all about America and what I was doing here. I, in turn, asked them about working at Sotomayor and the culture in Guayaquil. At this subsidized hospital, most of the patients are “campesinos” or rural people who come in to deliver their babies. They are young-even thirteen to fourteen-years old- and destitute. It was interesting to hear the staff members' views and feelings. Many expressed frustration with this population they serve and the lack of education. I think it is difficult for them to do any kind of "Sex Ed." down here with such a strong Catholic presence. They also have the machismo issue. They told me some men will straight up leave their "enamorada" (literally means lover, their word for an unmarried spouse) if they do not produce children, especially boys. For this reason, many women feel pressure to become pregnant and have many babies. It's just hard to see these loving moms in the maternity hospital but also know the reality they face raising their families in the communities where we are doing the schoolchildren assessments. I loved getting to know the sweet doctor and nurses and getting perspective on all this.

That night we got to go to the Guayaquil Temple for the last time! It was wonderful, as always. Oh, in the locker room I met an awesome Ecuadorian girl. We just started talking while we were getting dressed and all of a sudden she goes off in English! I was pretty impressed. She had lived in Florida for five years and joined the Church there. She worked as an esthetician at a spa (cool huh?). We stood there and talked for about fifteen minutes and I just thought the world of her.  All of a sudden it dawned on me. Set her up with the Church's PR representative, Gunther! If you don't remember he's the guy that took us to the YSA dance. Anyway, I got her number and the next night I gave it to Gunther. He seemed pretty excited about it! They're both in their thirties and wonderful people. I'll keep you guys posted on what happens! Gosh I love playing matchmaker. 

The "I-Lose-Everything-Important" Genes

Tuesday I had my first and only day of real clinical at Luis Vernaza Hospital. Other students have spent a week or so there but I chose to spend more time at Sotomayor (the maternity hospital) and out in the community screening the kids. 

Oh before I begin I have to tell a story on behalf of my dear mother from whom I seem to have inherited my “I-lose-everything-important” genes. Well I have had a letter I needed to send since I even arrived in Ecuador! I had finally addressed and stamped it- ready to go. That morning I was running out with my backpack and a huge CPR bag full of dummies. I saw the letter on the counter and grabbed it to mail on my way out. Well between leaving my room, riding the elevator, and arriving in the lobby, the letter completely disappeared. I ran up to my room three times, tore apart my suitcase, and ransacked the counters and drawers. I was beside myself. After all this time I just up and lost the stupid letter. Our van arrived and I sulked out with the other students.

Needless to say I was rather grumps when I got to Vernaza. My roommate Katie and I were assigned to teach a CPR class to nurse’s assistants. My sour face faded as we started instructing the cute students. We taught adult CPR, baby CPR, the Heimlich, and baby Heimlich. I love watching them practice situations on the dummies. It’s kinda scary how little healthcare providers know about CPR but hopefully our classes will help them in the future.

My friend took a video of me while I was teaching! I can't figure out how to upload it on here but the URL is 

http://picasaweb.google.com/byuecuador2009/19Mayo2009#5339217543755206450

baby Heimlich

After that I headed to the OR for a few hours. This may seem exciting but the OR is my least favorite place to nurse, probably because there is little for a nurse to do while the surgeon slices and scrapes away with his myriad of tools. I basically stood in the corner. We grabbed a free lunch at the hospital’s cafeteria-- always a treat. :)

Here's something I saw while walking the halls of Vernaza Hospital. The sign reads, "Use in case of fire." The fire extinguisher is unfortunately MIA. Scary.

I was still beside myself about the letter. As soon as we got back to the hotel, I ran to the front desk to ask about it. The sweet lady asked me my last name and then said they had found the letter in a hallway of the hotel and placed it back in my room. Phew!

Then, I got back to the room and my roommate asked me where the assignment sheet for the health fair was. Oh no. Yet another moment of the “I-lose-everything-important” genes. Usually this does not strike twice in one day. This time I was not so lucky. I tore through everything and failed to locate the paper. Fortunately, my roomie was sweet and helped me recreate the assignments. Mother please get a kick out of these mishaps. I know you will…  

During the afternoon we blogged and relaxed. For dinner we ordered pizza! They have “Loco Martes” and the pizza is buy one get one free. Wonderful.

Then we loaded in the vans for another health fair! This time I was assigned to teach baby CPR and the Heimlich. It was so fun! Each of us girls took a little part to teach and then we helped the members practice on our baby dummies. It’s fun to teach them because they are so enthusiastic. We made five groups and rotated them through the classes: nutrition, diabetes/hypertension, adult CPR, and baby CPR/Heimlich. There’s also a station where they get to have their blood pressure and blood glucose checked. Some of my friends from the ward we attend came so I snapped some pics. 

back to school.. back to school

Monday we were busy at a new school screening again! 

Community is definitely my favorite part of this experience. It's so fun to be with the kids and out in their environment. As usual, I snapped a kajillion photos of the cute kiddos. I was on "crowd control" (directing lost/wandering children to stations), vision screening, and wherever else they needed help. 

On the way home, we got to stop by an Hogar de Cristo building to see the "Mechanical Cow." I was picturing a machine-ish metal cow. Maybe no udders but at least a cow-looking thing. Sounds like that right? Well when I actually saw it I kinda felt like a fool. It just looks like a fancy hot chocolate maker or something. See below... 

Later I got to go to "Noche de Hogar" (Family Home Evening) with one of my favorite families in the ward! I have been attending Sunday School and Young Women's with Diana. She's twelve and gorgeous. We quickly became friends and I spent every Sunday with her. 

Anyway, this last Sunday we were at the ward, she invited me to come to Family Night! Her mom invited a few of the other girls too. It was a blast. I loved seeing where this sweet family lived all together. They are wonderful people. We spent most of the time just chatting about their conversion stories, sacrifices to get sealed in the temple, and family life. The girls performed their instruments (violin and recorder) and showed us drawings they had done. It totally reminded me of our "talent night" FHEs when I was little. 

I love getting to know the Ecuadorian people, especially the members of the Church. They are so humble and loving. There is nothing that melts my heart more down here than a sweet husband or father. With the machismo mentality in Ecuador, many of the men do not feel responsibility for their family or their welfare. Many fail to provide for their wife and children or up and leave them. Because of this, I am so impressed when I see dads cuddling their little ones during Sacrament Meeting or husbands adoring their wives. I loved Diana's dad. He encouraged each of the girls to share their talents with us and kept emphasizing how they were so gifted and special. Then, when we sat down for dinner, he served each of us and ensured that his wife and each daughter were full before portioning a plate for himself. He spoke about saving his money so his little girls may have all the education they want. He said I may not drive them in a really nice car (it was actually broken down at the moment) but they will have opportunities. 

These thoughts naturally made me reflect on my own life. I have been blessed with the most adoring father. He has always supported me in my endeavors and reassured me of my worth when I doubted. I remember when I was deciding whether to run for a Student Government position in high school he finally took me aside and told me how talented and able I was. He has always given me the confidence I needed to pursue my goals and for that I am so grateful. Even the other night on the phone, he asked how my Spanish was going down here. When I sheepishly answered "okay" he quickly reproached me and complimented my language skills. I'm glad my dad, like Diana's, desires to give his children opportunities and confidence. 

I didn't know this was going to turn into an love note to my dad, but since it's already happened... I love you so much Daddy! 

In other news... We leave tomorrow for Quito! I'm super behind in blogging. Lo siento. We met with the two organizations we work with here to debrief today. We fly out early tomorrow morning! I better go pack. Love you guys!

Stayin' Alive

Although I am fairly ashamed of this video, I have decided to share it for the benefit and sheer entertainment of those I love. If you have never heard me singing with my man voice in real life here is a little sample. 

I told you guys that we used "Stayin' Alive" in our CPR lessons at stake health fairs. Here's an amusing clip my professor recorded of me last week. After this you, too, will be grateful I have decided to pursue nursing and not a singing career. 

I don't think the Ecuadorians knew how to respond to that wretched performance. They seemed to get a kick out of my dance moves though.

So today our group of BYU Nurses actually sang in sacrament meeting! I didn't want to ruin the beautiful song (Joseph Smith's First Prayer) so I mostly lip synched. While we were practicing, the three boys kindly welcomed me into the bass group and said we were a men's quartet! I was flattered. 

Delfines y la playa

Saturday we went on another excursion with the group! This time we set out to see the dolphins on a little boat ride. We drove for about an hour and a half in our vans and arrived at this little dock on a river. Taking each boat out to see the dolphins only cost $30! Gosh I love Ecuador. The boats and dock did seem a little rickety but it ended up being amazing. We enjoyed a half hour boat ride out to the ocean, where we stopped near some harbors. All these dolphins started swimming around us! We all gaped and attempted to snap photos of the cute animals. During the ride back we cozied up and took little "siestas" on the boat. 

The Junta (the hospital organization we work with) paid for our yummy lunch at a beach restaurant. I don't know why they are so nice to us but I'm glad! 

Then we ran out to the beach and played for hours! I think we all got owned by the waves a few times but it was glorious. Once I had my share of inhaling salt water and almost drowning, I took yet another "siesta," but this time on the sand. By the time we cleaned up and drove back to Guayaquil we were all pretty tuckered out.