Tuesday
The singing continues. I awake to an unformed song on my tongue which makes me smile when I work it out: As You Open the eyes of my head…Open the eyes of my heart, Lord. I want to see You.
Clinic Day Two Barangay Matan-ang
Our clinic today is in another high ceiling pavilion with ample room. The signature blue and yellow surround us. It is market day over one wall. A small market of vendors share their space with our spiritual counseling. There are fruits and vegetables and belts that I can see from my station. I am told there are also a variety of dried fish and whole body lizards.
Dear Wilma is one of my first darlings. She comes with sky high blood sugar and pressure and dons an animated, infectious smile. These things do not appear to be slowing her down. I assume she comes for treatment of these glaring needs but the longer I assess and investigate, her story slowly emerges. She adds vital details that I thought I had already asked about. Nonetheless, I find myself smiling and captivated by her zeal despite my struggle to understand. At last, she pulls out a bag full of health records and scatters them on the table. In these are the answers to my questions as well as solid proof that she is being well cared for despite her numbers. I consult Dr. K who then takes over care.
Alea, another darling, comes to me telling me she has some DOB and thinks she has asthma. I ask why she thinks that and she tells me she hears extra sounds when she breathes. I ask her if she has ever been told that she has asthma and she tells me no. I ask her if she has any squeaking sounds when she breathes and she says yes. I confirm this when I hear wheezing. This leads me to teach her about the disease process. When I launch into treatment options, I eventually find out that she uses an inhaler and is on two different asthma meds that help! Off to Dr. K we go, again. Dr. K has some contacts that can provide special services for her.
As my time here progresses, I begin to understand that the communication style of my patients appears to be akin to storytelling. There are few short answers and much revisiting and restating until a kernel of truth emerges, if ever… I am grateful for Dr. K. She will get to the bottom that I cannot find of all Wilma’s and Alea’s needs.
The day is full of joyful sick people. I care for several families with kind, attentive mamas; sweet elderly lovelies escorted by younger family members; animated spitfires who want only to use their energy for good, it seems. Their enthusiasm inspires my own and I join their uplifting-despite-hardship chorus of praise even through the convoluted conversations it takes to get there.
💥PhilippiAnne💥
