Trip Number 10......

[Bruce]

I made it back with only a slight issue on the plane. This time it was a diabetic issue for an elderly man. He was having non specific issues when I was asked to evaluate him. Using the 'flight purser' as a translator I found out he was an insulin dependant diabetic and he had packed his insulin and blood glucose meter in his bags which were in the hold of the 747 and not accessible. Forrest Gump said it well with his "Stupid is as stupid does" comment. 

 

His pulse was fine and he complained about heart burn. So I gave him some prilosec  and then had the translator 'inform him' that if he was not better by the time we reached Guam for refueling, he would be taken of the plane and to the hospital and it would cost him a lot of  money for another ticket to Manila. It was a miracle (!) He was healed!

 

On  my first day in Catbalogan, it was business as usual. 1 pregnant 18 yr old looking for money so she could get an X-ray (Forrest Gump again.....) very rare for an X-ray to be done on a pregnant woman... but she did not know this and was trying to get me to give her money. I checked the baby heart rate and gave her 20 pesos (50 cents) she was happy her little ruse worked on me!

 

Then I rode out to see some old friends.... all the kids had eye issues so all got eye drops.....

 

And of course the cats. I walked in the door and let out a loud meow and they came running. Had not seen me since last June but knew that sound meant I was back and they get to eat meat / fish again. Sad really... they have to eat left over table food and that means rice that smells like a bit of fish. The family that runs the charity here 'tolerate' the cats because I told them that if anything happened to the cats while I was gone, I would be looking for another family! But the cats are just things to them and they get no real affection.

 

See the pictures of today....     Click on the pic to enlarge.

Edited March 14, 2013 by Bruce

[i am bob]

Great report Bruce!

 

I see the boys are still napping in the park.  And the little girl - is there any hope of getting surgery for her?  Project smile maybe?  I know you spoke about her before but I just can't remember without going back.  And I think maybe some of the new members might like to know more of what you deal with.

 

Just out of curiosity, how do you find your hat?  Is it as cool as advertised?

 

:thumbsup:

[Bruce]

Great report Bruce!

 

I see the boys are still napping in the park.  And the little girl - is there any hope of getting surgery for her?  Project smile maybe?  I know you spoke about her before but I just can't remember without going back.  And I think maybe some of the new members might like to know more of what you deal with.

 

Just out of curiosity, how do you find your hat?  Is it as cool as advertised?

 

:thumbsup:

 

 Well in my professional opinion as a registered nurse, that little girl is FU%&ED! I had set up two chances for surgery and mom avoided both. That girl is her begging ticket.

 

Now, here is something the average peoson may not think about. Sure mom is using the girl as a method for begging. But, the kid herself is not faking it. So by refusing to donate because of mom, it actually hurts the children (plural) in the family. Not the best situation, but the only life the girl has. Further, that double cleft is up and into her sinuses. Long term looking at aspiration pneumonia and early chocking death.  

 

Surgery is not a 1 time thing here. I see 5+ surgeries to do the complete job.

 

The hat? Off ebay. Not as good as the last one. TIP..... buy a narrower brim (as my last hat) has less wind resistance when riding the bike.

 

Speaking of the bike, I have been riding a Suzuki Burgman 400 at home and now in Phils, back to my Yamaha 135 Sniper.... Harder narrow seat and toy like feeling.....  an adjustment for me. Sore ass already. (Insert Jake's joke HERE)

 

I will be sending more updates soon.