Guerrero Clinic

GUERRERO MEDICAL CLINIC SPRING 2009 Profiles <= Click here to meet the volunteers (will update through the entire clinic - or until I've got everyone listed)
(Please send me your experiences for inclusion - including pictures. Send no more than 600 words, along with your name, and contact information (in case I have questions) to Robert Yudkin at robert@guerreroclinic.org)
Last updated Friday 3/21 4:30pm
During their break some of the volunteers handed out packets to the children filled with candy, toys and coloring paper Our final day is continuing as usual... More people are arriving for their post-op exams and leaving with smiles Last night we had a barbeque to celebrate our last night in Guerrero. Everyone who worked at the clinic was invited to eat, drink and dance! And as a special entertainment for the American visitors, the student volunteers from the Guerrero school Prepa Maria Comaduran Chavez danced traditional dances, dressed in traditional Mexican clothing.
A wonderful before and after story... This woman came into the clinic on our third day. She has to be led in by holding someone's hands and walking directly behind them. The most she could get out of her sight were shapes of light. She has two problems, there is a growth over her right eye and she has a cataract in her left; rendering her completely blind. She went into surgery for her cataract, hoping to be able to see again. Today she came back and her prayers were answered. With the skill of our wonderful doctors her cataract was removed and she could see again. She could see well enough to walk on her own, without the help of others. Her post-op ended in her being able to see fingers at an eight foot distance and after she has fully healed she will most likely be able to read the first line of the eye chart.
More images from our third day... While old pros are helping students learn... more post-op procedures are being completed. Our construction crew is building a new apartment above our clinic... and patients are shakin' their groove things with Elsa while waiting for surgery. We have the best volunteers!
Friday 10:00 Our waiting room is always full. First thing in the morning we have two streams of patients waiting. The first group consists of those patients who had surgery yesterday and are back for their post operative visits. The 2nd group are those waiting to see the optometrists and ophthalmologists today. The following are yesterday's surgery patients getting their patches removed before going to their post-op visits with the optometrists.
. This woman is a testament to the work that is done at the clinic. She was upset when she first saw the doctor. She started to share with him that she was unable to afford the treatment that she needed. Our doctor caringly explained that there is no charge for the work we do here at the Guerrero Clinic
I met this patient in pre-op yesterday. He was apprehensive but enthusiastic as he waited patiently to be operated on. This morning he returned to have his patch removed. As you can see he was not quite as energetic as yesterday. Dr. Javier examined him after the patch was removed. The result? 20-40 vision in his eye in less than 12 hours since the operation. That translates to being able to read the 8th line on an eye chart ! Not bad considering that yesterday he could not see fingers held up in front of him. After Surgery The person who accompanied him, I believe it was his son, said that he noticed a difference today as he "did not have to drag him around. He could do more on his own".
Friday 6:30am We finished up yesterday's business at the clinic and were treated to wonderful home hospitality. The American volunteers were split into smaller groups as local Rotarians opened their homes to us. Corky, Jennifer, Mike and I were hosted by Andres and Marbella Cervantes. We were warmly welcomed and made to feel at home quickly. Our biggest obstacle was communication. Mike and I are at the low end of the scale in our ability to communicate in Spanish. Luckily, Corky and Jennifer were able to facilitate and translate. It was a lovely evening. Thank you. Some of you may be reading this and wonder to yourself what would I do at the clinic since I don't speak spanish and I'm not a doctor. Here are some examples. Yesterday I worked on this web site, took pictures in surgery - an interesting experience, and worked hanging a ceiling in the apartment that we are building above the clinic. Bill worked the ice cream machine. Betty Joe helps move patients through clinic. Mike helps test patients when they first arrive at the clinic. Vicki sterilized surgical instruments, Noah and Jennifer assisted in surgery, Cali took pictures and helped Vicki in the afternoon, Tony fits glasses, David worked construction, and Phillup and Bill cut glasses for patients. There are a wealth of things to do. Today I will be working construction so there will be fewer postings.
Guerrero Love Here are some more images from our second day. Bill Cheered everyone in the waiting room up with a few songs This is how our lenses are made Enjoying the ice cream machine!
Thurs 12 Noon Hi, I'm Cali and a rookie here. Today started off with a Bang! Everyone was well rested after a night filled with good food, good stories, and good margaritas. The morning air was crisp, which provided a good wake up call. The Breakfast crew arrived at 6 a.m. to a line of people outside the clinic doors. The rest of the group began arriving around 7 a.m. and by 8 a.m. everyone was dressed, scrubbed and ready to see patients. As we mentioned, the doctors performed over 40 Cataract surgeries yesterday so those patients were waiting for their bandages to be removed first thing this morning. Once their pressure is checked, they visit Javier or Natalie for their post-op exam. It really is amazing to see how happy these patients are when their bandages are removed and they can see. You can see the joy of sight in their restored eyes. Our optical group is very busy today aiming to top their numbers yesterday of providing 114 pairs of glasses for individuals, 20 of which were cut right here at the clinic. Everyone is hard at work keeping up the amazing pace that was finally achieved yesterday afternoon. This morning proved to be a test for these strong willed individuals - and everyone is passing with flying colors.
Wed 6:45 pm The first day was a bit hectic and chaotic. We are still working with patients and hope to get to dinner within the next couple of hours. All sorts of activities occurred today. We had five surgeons, and seven optometrists at work today. We had low vision specialists and general medicine provided by the State. We also had a couple of Mexican dentists doing there thing today. Outside of medicine, we also had a construction crew installing a heating unit in the clinic. Many thanks to my new found friend, Cali, as she allowed me to branch out to other activities beyond just the web. The weather today was fantastic. Bright sunny day with a temperature that got to almost 80. The night was cold and the morning was cool. Tomorrow looks to be about the same. Tonight we will eat in town at La Cava with a menu of Shish Kebab. The margarita machine eagerly awaits a hard worked crew. Despite our slow start today, we still completed over 40 surgeries towards our goal of continuing to restore sight. I can't speak for others but I look forward to a good nights rest. On the more serious side, I know many people had concerns about our safety. As this is my 5th time at the clinic, I can say that business was as usual and all is well. I went into Guerrero today multiple times and there was no difference from prior trips. We are being prudent and taking precautions but to this point, we feel safe. I could really use Joan. Do I give the patient Advil, Lomotil or Viagra?
Wed 10 am Well, This morning we had some tired people. Despite that the show must go on. We had an enthusiastic - if not energetic - small group of volunteers who left for the clinic at 6 am so that breakfast would be ready for the group at 7. Rookies have the privilege of joining the breakfast crew and we had a few of them this morning (Noah, Cali, and M.C.). Supplementing the rookies were David, Julia, Robert and Walter. Editor's comment: Sandy, we missed you this morning as there was no one to distract Walter so he would not undercook the eggs) We have a new (and hopefully better) photographer to supplement my work so enjoy the pictures as you see the clinic through a new set of eyes. I got up early to do this? Not quite like The Tavern
Wed 1 am It's late, I'm tired and I will be ready for breakfast duty at 6am. So I will just post some pictures taken on the road to Guerrero. Luis welcomes volunteers And Walter wasn't driving Duc is Glad to be back

Tuesday 8:30pm The Journey has started. Some people made it to the clinic last night. Most of us are on our way. I write this from the air as our American Eagle flight is somewhere between Dallas and Chihuahua. I met up with old friends Dr. Bob and Betty Jo Slider at DFW as well a new friend named Bill Baskin who is returning to the clinic after a number of years away. We will arrive in Chihuahua City (hopefully) about 8pm local time and meet up with the Houston group when they arrive at 9pm. Our drive to the clinic tonight will take almost 2 hours and get us to the hotel by midnight. As I am on the breakfast crew, I expect that early morning wake up call will come too soon. This is my 2nd spring clinic. Last year's spring clinic was in late April so I am interested to see whether we will be impacted by either cold or rain - I hope not. I'm going to try something new this trip and that is create a page that will help you get to know the volunteers and what we do. It will be a work in progress once the clinic starts so check on the "profile" page regularly.

GUERRERO MEDICAL CLINIC SPRING 2009

Profiles <= Click here to meet the volunteers (will update through the entire clinic - or until I've got everyone listed)

(Please send me your experiences for inclusion - including pictures. Send no more than 600 words, along with your name, and contact information (in case I have questions) to Robert Yudkin at robert@guerreroclinic.org)

Last updated Friday 3/21 4:30pm

During their break some of the volunteers handed out packets to the children filled with candy, toys and coloring paper

Our final day is continuing as usual...

More people are arriving for their post-op exams and leaving with smiles

Last night we had a barbeque to celebrate our last night in Guerrero. Everyone who worked at the clinic was invited to eat, drink and dance!

And as a special entertainment for the American visitors, the student volunteers from the Guerrero school Prepa Maria Comaduran Chavez danced traditional dances, dressed in traditional Mexican clothing.

A wonderful before and after story...

This woman came into the clinic on our third day. She has to be led in by holding someone's hands and walking directly behind them. The most she could get out of her sight were shapes of light. She has two problems, there is a growth over her right eye and she has a cataract in her left; rendering her completely blind.

She went into surgery for her cataract, hoping to be able to see again.

Today she came back and her prayers were answered. With the skill of our wonderful doctors her cataract was removed and she could see again. She could see well enough to walk on her own, without the help of others. Her post-op ended in her being able to see fingers at an eight foot distance and after she has fully healed she will most likely be able to read the first line of the eye chart.

More images from our third day...

While old pros are helping students learn...

more post-op procedures are being completed.

Our construction crew is building a new apartment above our clinic...

and patients are shakin' their groove things with Elsa while waiting for surgery.

We have the best volunteers!

Friday 10:00

Our waiting room is always full. First thing in the morning we have two streams of patients waiting. The first group consists of those patients who had surgery yesterday and are back for their post operative visits. The 2nd group are those waiting to see the optometrists and ophthalmologists today.

The following are yesterday's surgery patients getting their patches removed before going to their post-op visits with the optometrists.

This woman is a testament to the work that is done at the clinic. She was upset when she first saw the doctor. She started to share with him that she was unable to afford the treatment that she needed.

Our doctor caringly explained that there is no charge for the work we do here at the Guerrero Clinic

I met this patient in pre-op yesterday. He was apprehensive but enthusiastic as he waited patiently to be operated on.

This morning he returned to have his patch removed. As you can see he was not quite as energetic as yesterday.
Dr. Javier examined him after the patch was removed. The result? 20-40 vision in his eye in less than 12 hours since the operation. That translates to being able to read the 8th line on an eye chart ! Not bad considering that yesterday he could not see fingers held up in front of him.

After Surgery

The person who accompanied him, I believe it was his son, said that he noticed a difference today as he "did not have to drag him around. He could do more on his own".

Friday 6:30am

We finished up yesterday's business at the clinic and were treated to wonderful home hospitality. The American volunteers were split into smaller groups as local Rotarians opened their homes to us.

Corky, Jennifer, Mike and I were hosted by Andres and Marbella Cervantes. We were warmly welcomed and made to feel at home quickly. Our biggest obstacle was communication. Mike and I are at the low end of the scale in our ability to communicate in Spanish. Luckily, Corky and Jennifer were able to facilitate and translate. It was a lovely evening. Thank you.

Some of you may be reading this and wonder to yourself what would I do at the clinic since I don't speak spanish and I'm not a doctor. Here are some examples. Yesterday I worked on this web site, took pictures in surgery - an interesting experience, and worked hanging a ceiling in the apartment that we are building above the clinic. Bill worked the ice cream machine. Betty Joe helps move patients through clinic. Mike helps test patients when they first arrive at the clinic. Vicki sterilized surgical instruments, Noah and Jennifer assisted in surgery, Cali took pictures and helped Vicki in the afternoon, Tony fits glasses, David worked construction, and Phillup and Bill cut glasses for patients. There are a wealth of things to do.

Today I will be working construction so there will be fewer postings.

Guerrero Love

Here are some more images from our second day.

Bill Cheered everyone in the waiting room up with a few songs

This is how our lenses are made

Enjoying the ice cream machine!

Thurs 12 Noon

Hi, I'm Cali and a rookie here. Today started off with a Bang! Everyone was well rested after a night filled with good food, good stories, and good margaritas. The morning air was crisp, which provided a good wake up call. The Breakfast crew arrived at 6 a.m. to a line of people outside the clinic doors. The rest of the group began arriving around 7 a.m. and by 8 a.m. everyone was dressed, scrubbed and ready to see patients.

As we mentioned, the doctors performed over 40 Cataract surgeries yesterday so those patients were waiting for their bandages to be removed first thing this morning. Once their pressure is checked, they visit Javier or Natalie for their post-op exam. It really is amazing to see how happy these patients are when their bandages are removed and they can see. You can see the joy of sight in their restored eyes.

Our optical group is very busy today aiming to top their numbers yesterday of providing 114 pairs of glasses for individuals, 20 of which were cut right here at the clinic.

Everyone is hard at work keeping up the amazing pace that was finally achieved yesterday afternoon. This morning proved to be a test for these strong willed individuals - and everyone is passing with flying colors.

Wed 6:45 pm

The first day was a bit hectic and chaotic. We are still working with patients and hope to get to dinner within the next couple of hours. All sorts of activities occurred today. We had five surgeons, and seven optometrists at work today. We had low vision specialists and general medicine provided by the State. We also had a couple of Mexican dentists doing there thing today. Outside of medicine, we also had a construction crew installing a heating unit in the clinic.

Many thanks to my new found friend, Cali, as she allowed me to branch out to other activities beyond just the web.

The weather today was fantastic. Bright sunny day with a temperature that got to almost 80. The night was cold and the morning was cool. Tomorrow looks to be about the same.

Tonight we will eat in town at La Cava with a menu of Shish Kebab. The margarita machine eagerly awaits a hard worked crew.

Despite our slow start today, we still completed over 40 surgeries towards our goal of continuing to restore sight.

I can't speak for others but I look forward to a good nights rest.

On the more serious side, I know many people had concerns about our safety. As this is my 5th time at the clinic, I can say that business was as usual and all is well. I went into Guerrero today multiple times and there was no difference from prior trips. We are being prudent and taking precautions but to this point, we feel safe.

I could really use Joan. Do I give the patient Advil, Lomotil or Viagra?

Wed 10 am

Well, This morning we had some tired people. Despite that the show must go on. We had an enthusiastic - if not energetic - small group of volunteers who left for the clinic at 6 am so that breakfast would be ready for the group at 7. Rookies have the privilege of joining the breakfast crew and we had a few of them this morning (Noah, Cali, and M.C.). Supplementing the rookies were David, Julia, Robert and Walter. Editor's comment: Sandy, we missed you this morning as there was no one to distract Walter so he would not undercook the eggs)

We have a new (and hopefully better) photographer to supplement my work so enjoy the pictures as you see the clinic through a new set of eyes.

I got up early to do this?

Not quite like The Tavern

Wed 1 am

It's late, I'm tired and I will be ready for breakfast duty at 6am. So I will just post some pictures taken on the road to Guerrero.

Luis welcomes volunteers

And Walter wasn't driving

Duc is Glad to be back

Tuesday 8:30pm

The Journey has started. Some people made it to the clinic last night. Most of us are on our way. I write this from the air as our American Eagle flight is somewhere between Dallas and Chihuahua. I met up with old friends Dr. Bob and Betty Jo Slider at DFW as well a new friend named Bill Baskin who is returning to the clinic after a number of years away. We will arrive in Chihuahua City (hopefully) about 8pm local time and meet up with the Houston group when they arrive at 9pm. Our drive to the clinic tonight will take almost 2 hours and get us to the hotel by midnight. As I am on the breakfast crew, I expect that early morning wake up call will come too soon.

This is my 2nd spring clinic. Last year's spring clinic was in late April so I am interested to see whether we will be impacted by either cold or rain - I hope not.

I'm going to try something new this trip and that is create a page that will help you get to know the volunteers and what we do. It will be a work in progress once the clinic starts so check on the "profile" page regularly.