This past week, we had our first medical group come down from Michigan to perform 100 surgeries at the clinic. After a full 5 days of translating, laughing, and learning, all of us long-term volunteers were sad to see them go. I can’t imagine a better first med group and because I enjoyed my time with them all so much, I wanted to write them a little note…
To our first medical group:
The other night at Casa Vieja (which might I add has been one of my favorite nights since being in Guatemala) we were talking about the different mission trips everyone has been on. As we talked, Joe said that these trips have been his favorite part of his job because in the States your work goes unappreciated and is seen as an obligation to your patient. I’ve been thinking about that a lot these past couple days and came to the conclusion that feeling underappreciated is possibly one of the worst feelings in the world. I know you heard countless gracias’s from the people you encountered in San Lucas, but I also wanted to write you all my own personal thank you because you deserve to know the impact you have made. Your presence here in San Lucas has not only influenced the lives of your patients, but has truly made a lasting impression on me.
To say that I was nervous to be translating medical terminology for a week would be a huge understatement. Despite my reservations and apprehensions, by the second day, I was dressed in scrubs, watching surgeries in the OR, and making small talk with patients in between translations. Although there were times when I didn’t know how to translate something, your patience gave me the confidence to continue trying.
Although the 100 (101 if we’re counting Dan’s back mole) surgeries you performed this week were without a doubt life changing for some of your patients, the manner in which you performed them was even more remarkable. Those of you who tried to speak Spanish with your patients made them feel more at ease. Your laid-back attitudes and constant smiles made the clinic more comfortable and fun for everyone. Not to mention the “closing song” dance parties were not only well deserved, but also absolutely hilarious.
The work you performed goes beyond the OR. You were gracious, inviting, and so incredibly willing to teach and answer questions. I felt like I had become a part of a big goofy family. I would like to think that the following medical groups that I will work with will be just as kick-ass as you all, but I find it hard to believe that any other group will have dance parties at the end of the day, moon us in the OR, or challenge us to drinking competitions.
Thank you for everything and I hope you all get the chance to return to San Lucas again because the work you do is greatly needed and hopefully never underappreciated.
Un abrazo,
Alex
Alex