World TB Day

Today is World TB Day! The World Health Organization uses today as a call to action to stop one of the top infectious disease killers globally.
From the NIH statement on TB Day:
"World TB Day, March 24, marks the day in 1882 when German microbiologist Robert Koch announced his discovery of the bacterium that causes tuberculosis (TB). Despite the considerable progress made since that discovery, TB remains one of the world’s deadliest diseases. In 2013, an estimated 9 million people became ill with TB, and 1.5 million people died, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). This airborne disease is a leading killer of women and children worldwide. TB co-infection is the major cause of death among HIV-infected people killing roughly 1 in 4 who are co-infected. The growing problems of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) TB further intensify the TB crisis."

The theme for this year's TB Day

 Hillside was able to participate in a TB health fair at one of the Polyclinics here in Belize. The day started with a parade as school children marched up to the clinic carrying signs with messages about tuberculosis.

After prayer and introductory speeches, this Mayan couple showed a traditional dance. When their dance was done, the woman gave a speech about having pride in your heritage and upholding tradition. Inspiring!

We were asked to talk about nutrition at our booth. We had lots of little customers learning about how to stay healthy!

Our booth with Jimmy (PA student), Angela (CHW), Britt (Hillside nurse), Deirdre, me, and Brennan

Jimmy talking to kids about nutrition

Deirdre teaching!

Britt in action

 It wasn't all work, though. There were games! Hillside was asked to participate - and we pretty much dominated! Jimmy was on the winning tug-of-war team. Britt and I won the egg toss.

And Deirdre won the watermelon eating contest!

It was great to be able to participate! They were kind enough to feed us lunch - caldo, which is a traditional soup. The chicken was really tasty, but Brennan was a little surprised to find a chicken foot in his! Angela (the community health worker) said that it was her son's favorite part of the chicken. None of us were brave enough to try it.

I have a link on this page to Partners in Health - they are a group that has been fighting the fight against TB for a looong time. Check out their website to see their good work!

Diving in Utila

Deirdre, Brennan and I with Shelly, our awesome dive instructor. Thanks, Shelly!

We had an amazing week learning to dive in Utila, Honduras. It was a scary adventure trying to get there - ferry to taxi to collective taxi to hired driver to bus to ferry to tuk tuk (breathe) - and it took a day and a half. We stopped for the night in La Ceiba and as we were checking into a nice hotel, Brennan said, "I don't care how much this place costs. I've had about enough dodgy things today, Mom. I want to stay here." We did.
I was so relieved to be there and dreaded the trip back all week after hearing "Well, make sure you don't take a bus that looks like THAT. They go into the villages and are robbed by bandits all the time." Or "Don't stay in San Pedro Sula. It's really not a safe place." They way back was easier to navigate and just time consuming...not unsafe! I feel more confident and comfortable navigating the system in Honduras now, but it was awful to do it for the first time with kids in tow.

I was so glad to be on this ferry from La Ceiba to Utila!

 I'm telling you, after all of that travel, it was fantastic to get off the ferry in Utila and see that someone was standing there with a sign with my name on it! Tuk tuk to Alton's Dive Center was waiting for us!

Deirdre and Brennan in their first tuk tuk (motorized rickshaw)

Diving in Utila? Worth the trouble. I have been terrified of this my whole life. I grew up with the knowledge that this was how my grandfather had died in 1960 when my grandmother was pregnant with their 6th child. No one I know scuba dives (that I am aware of, anyway, though I know it doesn't often come up in casual conversation), so it has been somewhat of an enigma to me, fueling that fear. I started snorkeling down here and have lots of fun with that, so I figured it was about that time to conquer that fear.

Sunset on our first day in Utila

We started Sunday afternoon with the theory portion, learning about the rules and equipment and how they work (and how to take care of them!). Monday morning was more theory and quizzes. In the afternoon, we got into the water...swim test, treading water for 10 minutes, then our underwater skills. We got our gear and started getting ready to get into the water when I noticed that my regulator (what you breathe out of) felt like it was difficult to breathe out of. That's not fun! I asked the assistant instructor about it and he said, "Yeah, it's a little difficult, but it is still within regulation. You can get air. If it's going to cause you psychological issues, we can switch it out." I said it was fine. Then we got under the water. Nope. Not fine. I was flipping out in my brain a bit. I asked for a new regulator. Not gonna lie, I was still flipping out in my brain a little under the water. We had to take our masks off under water and then put it back on and get the water out of it. Later, we had to take the mask off and breathe through the regulator for a minute with no mask...then put it back on and clear it. For me, it was the most difficult part. Deirdre and Brennan were all stars taking their masks off and putting them back on. They both had a little trouble with taking it off and leaving it off, though.
We were tired when we got out of the water on Monday and we were back at it on Tuesday morning...theory and quizzes in the morning and more skills in the afternoon...some in the shallow water but then we went out on the boat to actually dive. We had to repeat all of the skills that we had practiced in shallow water in deeper water. Brennan came down and went back up a lot, saying that his ear was bothering him. He snorkeled a bit while Deirdre and I did some skills and then swam around...the underwater world is truly fascinating! I had trouble staying under...I just kept floating to the top. I guess I am just a buoyant human.
Brennan ended up not being able to dive because he got an ear infection. Bummer! Deirdre and I finished the course and are scuba certified! Brennan will hopefully finish up his course with a conservation group here in Belize.
I am pretty mortified that I didn't get more pictures - I only have one of Deirdre in her scuba gear - you can see Brennan in the background in the water. I had stepped away for a moment when he emerged and he was out of his gear by the time I got there. The rest of the time was dive, dive, dive...no time for photos.

Deirdre (and Brennan) scuba-ing

The island with its dive sites

One of the dorms at Alton's Dive Center

The diving was spectacular - we were able to see so many tropical fishes (parrotfish, pufferfish, trunkfish, cowfish, flounder, and the list goes on!). We got pretty close to a few nurse sharks and a couple of moray eels - creepy! I was completely astounded by the coral formations. It was absolutely amazing to be able to see the underwater world. I swam in a school of creole wrasse and am constantly in awe of how the fish just don't seem bothered by our presence. Fascinating!

Our trip back through Honduras was long, but relatively smooth.

We got to see where bananas come from in Guatemala.

And then we were relieved to see this sign welcoming us back to Belize.

Shew. Long and awesome trip!

Just Another Day in Paradise

This weekend we went to Maya Day...celebrating the Maya heritage and traditions.

We got there a little late and missed the Deer Dance.

Deer Dance costumes...sigh

Deirdre and Brennan answering questions at the Peace Corps booth (for stickers!)

Tortilla making competition - they had to grind the corn and then make the tortillas!

This was the juice truck

We walked around a bit before deciding that we were just too hot, so we went to cool off in Blue Creek.

We returned to Maya Day festivities to see that we had missed the Stilt Dance.

And then bagged it all and came home. My yard is full of coconut trees, so Jacob and Brennan harvested some for us. Nothing like coconut water from the trees in my yard...so fun! Brennan is getting pretty good at opening them with a machete...I'm still working on it.

Where the Sidewalk Ends: Machakil Ha

It's Women's Health month here in Belize and the Ministry of Health is doing PAP smear campaigns around the district. Hillside was asked to help out with providing PAP smears in some of the remote communities here. There are 2 villages that are only reachable by hiking in or by horse, Graham Creek and Machakil Ha. I hiked in to Graham Creek in December with the Maternal and Child Health Nurse and the Community Health Workers. It was a muddy amazing adventure that I will share pictures of when I get them.
On Friday, we started in Dolores (Remember my End of the Road post?) and hiked in to Machakil Ha with a physician working with the Ministry of Health as well as the Maternal Child Health Nurse, Community Health Workers, Peace Corps Volunteers and our long term volunteer, Jacob. We drove the Jeep as far as it would go through this...

And then finished the trek on foot (except Nurse Albia, who opted for the horse) while horses carried in our supplies.

It is amazing to be able to visit these communities! I am truly grateful that my work takes me to such amazing places! Just another day at the office!

Adventure bound

I know it seems like it's all play here. I work hard and we play hard. We are off to the Bay Islands of Honduras to learn how to scuba dive. We are nervous and excited!
As an aside, it's hard to get motivated to go running, especially when it is so hot. We were told about the Zombies, run! App and it is so cool! We want to go longer to get more stuff. It's so fun!

Under the Sea

These awesome photos from this weekend are courtesy of Steve - long term non-medical volunteer. Thanks for sharing, Steve!

Headed out to Silk Caye

Silk Caye - complete with restroom!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diving for conch shells

Our swimming buddies - nurse sharks!

Creatures above and below

We had a really exciting weekend this weekend!
Saturday we left early in the morning to go to Placencia and catch a boat out to Silk Caye - along the barrier reef. We snorkeled there, had lunch on the beach, and then went to the Turtle Hole where we saw no turtles, but sharks and rays a-plenty!
It was a little windy when we embarked on the Ocean Motion, and that meant it was going to be a rough journey according to our captain, Bernard. It was really choppy heading out. We got soaked, I lost a pair of sunglasses to Poseidon (the wind ripped them off my face), and we may all be an inch or two shorter. The boat would rise in the water and then land with the equivalent of a giant belly flop on the water. Ouch. Crush those vertebrae together!
We went out with Carly and Mischa, our nurse and her husband (Britt and Steve) and one of the medical students who was on his way back to Chicago. It was a full boat and lots of fun!
When we finally got to the Caye, it was packed with other snorkelers and divers. We needed our captain and guide to take us out to the reef where we saw fishes and coral and sea fans and many other things! It was amazing and beautiful. We swam along the reef and around the caye and came back to the island for sunbathing and lunch. It was beautiful and relaxing.

The crew on Silk Caye

Island paradise

Rest and digest

After we rested and digested, we got back on the boat to go to the Turtle Hole. The guide said that he saw a turtle, but I didn't. We were looking down into the water from the boat and saw sharks and sting rays and other fishes, though. It was a mad scramble to get all the snorkel gear back on and jump into the water! It was really exciting for all of us to swim with the nurse sharks...we dove down and got pretty close...and to swim with the large sting rays. The med student was right on when he said "I know that the sharks are peaceful and aren't going to do anything, but it is still unnerving when they are swimming at you!" Unnerving, indeed. But really exciting. Brennan dove and got some really pretty conch shells that he brought home. We saw even more reef fishes. I bought a laminated guide that has come in quite handy.
Steve took some great underwater photos that I will share when I get them!
The ride back was much smoother and our day was topped off beautifully with gelato from Tutti Frutti in Placencia. The gelato is amazing...

After Placencia, we (the kids, Britt, Steve, and myself) headed to Red Bank, a small village about 60 miles north of Punta Gorda. This is the last place in Belize that you can go to see the scarlet macaws. We stayed in a Mayan hut.

Whenever we go out into the villages for clinic or for overnight, our driver Mr. Rudy clears the area of creatures before we set up. He was not with us this weekend and we had to rid ourselves of the scorpion in our dwelling...eeks.
After a fitful night of sleep, interrupted by a tree falling right behind the house, we woke early to head out where the macaws fly.

Our guide, Florentino, owns the farm that we went to. The scarlet macaws come to this area to eat a certain fruit - Florentino has planted the tree that bears this fruit throughout his farm. It doesn't bear fruit yet, but it will, and he will have so many more birds!
We walked into his fields and entered a valley where he said that the macaws fly over every morning on their way to eat on the other side of the hill. While we were waiting to see them, we spotted toucans and parrots and woodpeckers and other birds. It was really neat to see them! Bird watching is difficult though, we were standing in the humid heat of the jungle, not under cover because we were watching the sky, and getting eaten even though we were wearing 100% DEET. The kids are right, the bugs don't care.
Then, Florentino's eyes lit up and he said "Do you hear that? They are coming!" I didn't hear it. As they got closer, though, I could hear them. They have a very loud and distinct CAW. We saw a pair fly far overhead. I could see that they were big birds, but that was about it. And they were gone, over the hill.
We stood and waited for a while and eventually saw several groups of 2s and 3s fly over. Every time Florentino would say "There! Do you hear it? They are coming!!" We were able to see their brilliant plumage lit up in the sunlight, but always overhead. They were gorgeous and since they are only in this area from December to March, I am glad we found time to go see them fly.

Scarlet Macaws from afar - you can still see their colors!

We went back to the Mayan home for breakfast and then hit the road. When we got home we showered and napped after such a long but fun weekend!

Clip and zip

It's been great to get back in the swing of things at the clinic. I love getting back out in to the jungle on the mobile units and I love seeing my regular patients in the home clinic. Also...exciting news...the Ministry of Health has asked me to create some training materials for the community health workers here! I'm so excited about doing this! It is difficult because they don't have the "stuff" they need to do the work that they need to do (stethoscopes, BP cuffs, etc.) but I am hoping to find some funding to leave each community health worker with some basic equipment. Anyway, I have been wanting to help with training since I got here, so here it is! I have a couple of fabulous Peace Corps volunteers to help me out with the project and we are also trying to recruit some volunteer help from the states.

Getting back into the swing of things at school for Deirdre and Brennan has also been good, though they would never admit it. Brennan decided that he liked his hair a bit on the long side before we moved here. Then they started school...in a Mennonite school...with a uniform and dress code...and hair requirements. Deirdre's has to be up; Brennan's has to be short. He likes to push it, though, and does not get his hair cut until the principal tells him it is time. We found a barber we like here, but I think Brennan just sits and envies the man's long dreads. Okay, maybe not the dreads, but the freedom to grow them.We had to visit him a couple of weekends ago for what Brennan hopes is his last clip.




That Sunday was a good day, though - we went ziplining! About 30 minutes up the highway is a cool place to go, so we decided to finally try it out.

We went back and forth across the river, atop the jungle canopy, and literally through the trees! I kept asking, "Are you SURE we aren't going to hit that?" He was sure.

Who's going first? Rock, paper, scissors decides!

Above the jungle canopy!

The climb up to the final zipline