Thank you to everyone who has responded and sent encouragement /donations in support of my Nicaragua adventure. I will be moving to Nicaragua in February and can’t wait to see what becomes of this adventure.
Mid-January, I was in Nicaragua and worked with Fundacion Ortiz Gurdian’s (FOG) campaign against cervical and breast cancer alongside an M.D. Anderson Doctor and Nurse Practitioner. (See pictures in Album January 2011) The purpose of the week long trip was to help FOG assess the nursing and patient flow at their new cancer clinic. During the trip we I the following:
· Created the assessment checklist for chemotherapy side effects to be used by both doctors and nurses prior to each visit.
· Wrote the patient education materials in Spanish that addressed symptoms described in the assessment checklist. Topics included:
o Preventing Infection, Fatigue, Nutrition, Mouth Care, How to use the 0-10 Pain Scale, How to control/manage pain, Other effects: skin, hair, nails, sexuality, pain, Effects on nerves and muscles, memory and concentration, Tips to about N/V, Diarrhea, How to Prevent Constipation.
o Printed and made folders for education materials and included a page explaining how to find more information on the internet for future use.
· Had meeting with the nurses where we:
o Showed the MD Anderson Spanish video chemotherapy class on the big TV in the chemotherapy room
o Went over the Chemotherapy side effects checklist and how to use it.
o Answered questions and facilitated discussion about patient care
o Discussed importance of the nurses and the need for them to be a voice for the patient and a vital part of the healthcare team
o Gave certificates, bracelets, and took pictures
· Met with some people, and determined details for the school nurse position I will have in February and shared vision for the program.
· On the last day took a trip to Leon where we visited Ortiz Art Museum, an old convent turned hotel and the beach)
The trip was inspiring and now I am preparing all the details to move to Nicaragua come February. I’ll keep you updated…here we go!!!
