Travel to the Island, Walking the Beach

So today was pretty calm. Drs Bianci and Shayesteh went to the hospital this morning to begin screening for surgeries in the coming days. Dr Martinez began his Pyterigium sugeries this morning. He went until very late, I have no idea how many he actually did. The rest of us (the students, sue, Drs Plotsky) went to an island near Tumaco. It was quiet, peaceful, very relaxing. We walked a beach for a while and then rested. I fell asleep in a hammock, it was nice. After a long morning there we came back and just relaxed.
Personally, I'm ready to get started and with supplies coming tomorrow I'll be able to help unpack so that when I circulate I know where stuff is.
We have some good cases lined up thanks to Drs Bianci, Martinez, and Shayesteh.
Speaking of good cases, there were some interesting things seen today:

• Dr Martinez removed a worm from a patient's eye. Yes, you read that right, a worm
• Dr Bianci saw a girl, perfectly normal, with VERY large fingers and toes. But it's okay, that wasn't her complaint, she had stomach problems

It is going to be a great few days of work, I'm so ready to get started.

First Surgery!

So today in Tumaco we were briefed on security by the military stationed here. 

They are providing us with escorts. They have full guard around the hospital, it should be safe, not too big a worry. After that we toured the hospital. While touring there was a kid we saw with burns covering a good 40% of his body. 

Dr Shayesth was very shaken by this and realized that this kid may lose an arm if we do not operate tonight. So Alina and Myself went with Dr S to assist in whatever way possible.

When he cut open the boy's arm with the cauterizing bovy the skin split as though it was pulled by a spring. This is FAR from normal, emphasizing the true condition this poor child was in. The boy was taken to a burn unit in Cali the next morning.

Now, however, it is sleep time, there is another long day ahead of us tomorrow, unpacking possible.

Welcome from Tumaco

So after a tiring day of travel we have arrived in Tumaco, Columbia.
The hotel is outstanding, but I kind of feel guilty with the way people live in the surrounding areas.
We got in at 10, but, and probably because we got up at 5, it felt like 3. We are going to lunch soon at a place Claudia (our native contact) knows about. It should be great!

Military Debriefing after lunch, more to come later.
Maybe even some pictures