Hey, so this month has been a lot different than other months. In Central America, we thought we had come face to face with poverty, but nothing has compared to what we have seen here in the Philippines. Pretty much we are staying in the “projects” of Manila.
As you can guess, with poverty comes lots of bacteria and infection. This month has been full of sickness, probably more sickness this month than all the others combined. As a nurse, this has been somewhat of a challenge for me. It seems to be daily that someone comes to me with a health concern. Whether it be a stomach ache, diarrhea, vomit or a wound, my nursing knowledge has been tested here. I am pretty much on first name basis with the local doc. We actually quizzed each other to test each other’s authenticity of medical knowledge.
(closing a girls wound she recieved from her mother)
Anyways, this has probably been the most trying thing for me this month. I love being able to share my knowledge, but it hasn’t always been received well. My patients have been tested time and time again. Many times it seems people forget that nurses are not trying to make their life more difficult but are actually looking out for the “patient’s” best interest.
Many people have asked for my nursing advice, but my answer isn’t always what they want to hear. Sometimes it feels like they forget I was educated in this. Often, after someone has refused to listen to my advice and do it their own way, things get worse. They are in more pain, or get sicker or more infected, etc. It makes me want to scream. My thoughts are “my goodness if you would have listened to me the first time you wouldn’t be in this mess.”
After thinking this exact thought today after yet another incident, God asked me the same question. Why didn’t you listen to me the first time? Just like my education in nursing, I would dare to say God is educated with this thing called life, being the author of life and all. Just as I am a patient’s advocate, God is our advocate. He is always working for our best interest.
Sometimes it is hard to remember that though, and we wait for our emotional wounds to get more painful or more infected before listening to the Great Physician to heal us.
That's what I am learning for now. Please continue to keep Tondo and the Philippines in your prayers. I will update you guys soon. I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Much love,
Liz
