Final Thoughts...

A final summary (slightly serious, my apologies)

This trip has been the journey of a lifetime. I have never been more excited to wake up (well, after I got over the shock of the alarm, of course!) and never so disappointed to leave.

I think a big part of that was the fact that I was in surgery. Well, not just IN surgery, I was DOING surgery. It was challenging, it was difficult, it was frustrating, it was fascinating, it was fun and it was real! I found out that what I thought was something I would enjoy doing for the rest of my life is actually enjoyable. Will I change my mind in vet school? Maybe! However, this trip gave me the satisfaction and complete stillness in my soul that I am on the right track and am headed in the direction that my life should be going.

Other great parts of the trip:

The scenery. Oh my! It seemed that all I had to do was turn my head to see something prettier than what I had been looking at the day before! All I kept thinking in my head was, "These are the places that people look at on calendars and say, 'I want to go there!' and I'm THERE!!"

The group: I loved being surrounded by 21 other people who were working towards similar goals. Yes, we all had differing opinions on all sort of things but in the end we were just a group of people who cared about animals and helping people who don't have as much access to health care as our own animals do.

The organization: I was so impressed by VIDA. They had everything well planned, they stuck to the itinerary, and they worked their hardest to give us a safe and productive trip. They cared about the team and addressed problems as they arose (and fixed them!). As an example: I had not even arrived at home yet and I had already received an e-mailed official letter with a statement of my hours and a list of the activities that I had participated in. Impressive, VIDA!

Sorry for a 'sappy' last post! I am just so incredibly happy that I was given this opportunity and if you haven't figured it out yet - I loved every minute!

Back to reality.
Or (teehee…hold onto your cheese for this one) let's see what I can do with my "life after that!"

8/19/2010 - Final Day

I'll admit I was just a wee bit nervous about the zip line canopy tour today. Let's just say that I get about enough of an adrenaline rush from pulling my car out of the suicide lane into traffic. I'm not exactly gutsy. THIS. WAS. FANTASTIC. The strapped us up (hello, wedgie!) and sent us up into the trees. I couldn't help but scream every time! J It wasn't scary - it was fun! On one of them, I went upside down. Yup. Who know how many feet in the air and I was upside down. Perfect! On the last one down to the ground, they pull on the rope to break you but they purposefully do it really hard and it makes you fly up and down. FUN! I laughed the whole way down and quite possibly sounded like a crazed monkey. Whatev.

Next was a reptile farm. It was ok - I was coming down from my zip line high and really just wanted to take a nap!

Last thing we did before heading to our final hotel was go to a local zoo where most of the animals have been rescued. We were allowed back into their rehabilitation area and a veterinarian from the zoo talked us through how they work them back into the wild. My ecology/biodiversity background kicked in and I found myself wishing I could speak Spanish so I could do an internship there.

Absolute highlight of the zoo was hanging out with a lion! I have always had a small infatuation with them. So, of course, when we arrived at their enclosure, I switched into 5 year old mode jumping up and down and adding the obligatory "oooh's" and "ahhh's." After a couple minutes, most of the group moved on and a couple of us stayed back. At the point, one of the females started acting like she wanted to play - and who am I to turn down a lion? She chased me up and down the outside of her enclosure, we pretended to pounce on eachother, and when I walked away, she jumped up on the bars, stuck her nose out as far as she could and watched me leave. I'm not sure I can really put into words how incredible it was. I played chase with a lion!!

I'll be home tomorrow!

8/18/2010 - Last Clinic Day :*(

Last day of clinics :(. Today was slightly better than the island - this time we were in a hallway that was mostly covered! We were with the med team this time but they finished up about 3 hours before us. Slackers. Of course, the only thing that I have heard about what they are doing is health histories and pap smears - don't blame them for not using a whole day…I'll take the aggressive dogs, thanks!

Last day and I finally got to castrate a male dog! Woohoo! I also learned how to do a Miller's Knot - which I'm pretty sure I have already forgotten. (360? Short end over long end? Grab something 'er other with the needle driver??...oh well!)

Today I discovered a part of the trip that I didn't like: Inventory of boxes. Blegh.

8/17/2010 - Rec and Travel!

(Above is Ojo de Agua)

Started our day off with a nature walk through a lagoon that was near our hotel. There is a legend surrounding the lagoon that the person who first owned it, made a deal with the devil in exchange for a loved one's soul. It's said that if you come at midnight and have a shaman with you, that you can make a deal, too. I guess selling Ben's soul to get into vet school would be a little extreme, right?

Next we went to my absolute favorite spot on the island - it is called Ojo de Agua and is a spring. The water temperature was perfect, the sun was perfect, the views were perfect. I couldn't have been happier. I would have happily spent an entire week there!

For lunch, we went to a restaurant owned by a family from Massachusetts. The restaurant was gorgeous and even tough it took a while to get the food, I loved it! They have a small hotel that is geared towards English speaking backpackers. I asked for a job and they said yes. J So, I promptly texted Ben and asked him to bring Trinity and some clothes. The team made me get on the bus anyway…

Eventually, we took the ferry back to the mainland (with less bugs on the way back, yay!). The trip is WAY longer when you aren't doped up on Dramamine like I was the first time! :)
And on a side note - at this hotel, our room flooded, twice. Soggy, moldy, poopy clothes smell GREAT!

8/16/2010 - Smanimals on the Island!

Well, these were the worst working conditions yet! Clinic today was in a brick building with no roof. The only covered area was on one side where there was a stage. One of our guides said that the area is used for dancing and community activities.

SO, with rain clouds in sight, they arranged for us to have a tent for intake and we did surgery and recovery on the covered area. Of course, once it started raining both the tent and the roof proved to not actually be waterproof! It also got pretty dark when the clouds rolled in so a lot of people did surgery with headlamps. Now that is TRUE vet med right there!

Completed 2 more spays today - one was still actively nursing and let me tell ya: If you're incision is only an inch or so long, that stinking mammary tissue is just a LITTLE in the way!!

Last Full Day - Already?

I'm alive! Will try to update as soon as I can! :)

Large Animals

Whew! It has been CRAZY!!!! Yesterday was awesome- we stayed in a
nicer hotel (hot water- yay!) and spent half the day relaxing pool
side. I finally got to talk to Ben and relax a little.... Which I
needed after partying Nicaragua style the night before. BUT that's
all I have to say about that since the locals promise us that what
happens in Nicaragua- stays in Nicaragua! ;)

Our new hotel is on an island in the middle of a lake at the base
of an active volcano. I can't wait to show you pictures! The ferry
ride was a little scary - we had 2 trucks full of cement blocks
plus two cars and our bus. The parking was a little tight!

Today was large animal day. Not exactly the way we do it in the
states! One bull climbed up over the other cows in the chute,
jumped out and charged us!!! We were almost knee deep in mud and
crap. I had so many adrenaline rushes by the time we were done
that my hands were shaking! We had to give each one a SQ
Ivermectin and an IM B-vitamin complex. I am now pretty well
practiced in the art of "stabbing, jumping out of the way, running
back, aspirating, jumping out of the way, running back, injecting,
and jumping out of the way!" a little scary! Will post pics when I
can!

Off to the orphanage to play with some kids.

Lordy- I need a stinking Starbucks!

Received this message

On my phone, at the border!

Whew! Last day of clinic in Costa Rica! Here's a group picture including the staff and veterinarians. We had 4 vets for this portion but only two of them will travel on with us to Nicaragua tomorrow. There will be two vets to replace them waiting for us.

Tired!

Today, I neutered a cat and spayed a dog...FINALLY! lol

oooo - and I have a BATTLE WOUND! yup - my stupid spay went a little postal on me while I was taking her temperature and managed to get me even with the muzzle on. Needless to say, she wore 2 muzzles throughout her recovery :)

Tomorrow, we have a 12 hour trip (including stops) on our way over the border into Nicaragua. BLEGH. I'm not sure how internet access will be since it will be a new hotel. Hopefully I'll be able to keep ya'll updated.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAD!!!!! (sorry I couldn't call - I can't figure out my calling card - the number that I'm supposed to call from Costa Rica doesn't work...)

lah dee dah!

I've officially run out of ways to say "This. Is. Great!" :)





Another good day at clinic. Besides the spays and neuters (we did 43 yesterday!), we also do "consults" which are basically physical exams in order to give vaccines, dewormer, and flea prevention. It's been great to learn how to do a physical. Sure, I don't have all the background I need to find everything but we can at least recognize something that's not normal.

THe picture above is a pic of my second spay with her uterine horns and ovaries laying on top of where they came from. :) :) Little itty bitty ones!

I had two successful spays - 3 tries to find the first uterine horn but on my second spay (6 month old kitten) it was there first try! *YAY!!* I was just a little worried about that!

CHPH - you'd be proud of my cat handling skills - I'm now FEARLESS!!

THe people here are so thankful for what we're doing! They are all smiles and anytime an animal is handed back there are a lot of "Gracias!"

Off to another day of clinics! (and hopefully I get a stinkin dog today - so far I've only worked with cats) I'm ready to get my hands on some canine!!!

Anyone from CHPH recognize those fluids? :) They've already been put to good use.

Holding the fluids in Dr. Michael Cruz who was horrified that you would be seeing a photo of him NOT in scrubs since he lost them on the bus. ;)

Yesterday's blog....

I surgicated!!!! (that would the correct medical terminology, of course!) First case of the day was a kitten who need to be neutered and who also happened to have a prolapsed rectum. My partner did the neuter, the veteriaran started to repair the prolapsed rectum and then let me place a few stitches until we ultimately decided to euthanize since the owner wasn't willing to do care at home. So yes, the first animal that I actually got to have some "scalpel on tissue action" is now dead. *sigh* However!! In the afternoon, I actually performed my first spay on a cat. Well, actually, I couldn't find the stinking uterine horn so the vet had to find it for me but after that it was smooth sailing. Still needed someone to be a third hand to hold things because my co-ordination is NOT there. The vets are great and so patient and willing to teach. Too cool!  Oh – and no zip-ties since it was a cat. The hardest part was actually being able to see the linea alba because our incision is only allowed to be an inch wide. Let me tell ya – that is one freaking tiny hole! I got lots of pictures on my real camera but none on my phone so you'll have to wait to see those pics! What an amazing trip. Thanks for the comments – the little pieces of home are nice. J

yay! I got the internet to upload a photo! :)

Meet "Puka" the cat who is now safely at home minus her ovaries. :)

View from my hotel

Costa Rica says Good Morning!

so lovely!

Veterinary Orientation was interesting – One of the main veterinarians walked us through intake procedures, surgery prep, surgery, and recovery procedures. After lunch at the hotel, we sat down to practice sutures – my time on my suture model was well spent – and I wasn't doing it wrong. We'll see how it goes tomorrow when I'm touching live tissue! Oh – and for my more vet related folks – guess what we're using to ligate the ovarian pedicles? Zip ties. YUP. At first I thought it was really weird, but I guess they haven't had any problems because they are made out of nylon which is the same thing that is in suture material and it's a lot faster and cheaper. According to a research article, the trimmed zip tie only increases chances of a reaction by something like .0001 percent. We do use sutures for dog neuters, though. Speaking of dog neuters: Dr. Brickson and I have been debating back and forth about whether or not they would be open or closed. They are going to be open. The reasoning wasn't really clear to me, but I'll do as I'm told. J The hotel we're at tonight is gorgeous. I'll take some pictures tomorrow when it is light out and post them to the blog. We're in the middle of NOWHERE in a gorgeous jungle of prettiness! Tomorrow is our first day of clinic and I am so excited. The team of veterinarians sound amazing and have really given us a lot of confidence. Our first surgery will literally be done hand over hand with the goal that by the end of our time here they will not have to scrub in and be present for evaluation only. Wish me luck! Updates tomorrow after my first surgery.  *wheee!*

Beautiful Pool

That I am not swimming in because I'm attending orientation!

Costa Rica is gorgeous!! The flight in went well. Interestingly enough, it seems to be so similar to South Africa. The greenery, cars, mall, airport - everything looks like home! Strangely enough, it even smells like South Africa. Only differences seem to be that there are actually MORE bars and security than in South Africa (which is impressive, btw) and I haven't exactely heard anyone speaking Zulu.   It's been pouring for the last several hours with thunder and lightening. It's great! We're at our hotel now and waiting till 4:30 to go to general orientation. Tonight I get to learn how to Salsa as well!   After dancing we're going to a local restaraunt to taste the local chow. As for water drinking, we are supposed to be using bottled water to brush our teeth, etc. Something tells me that my little pea brain will forget about that. blegh! :) More later!         mm... dinner was delicious - Las Delicias del Maiz. Everything was served on a banana leaf and I had horchata! yay!! Time for bed - more orientation fun tomorrow: Clinic and Surgery techniques!   (I think perhaps we should count how many exclamations points I use in these blogs - slightly overkill. Sorry about that.)

Florida foliage fun from phone

Tech support message. Text above photo, forwarded from phone.
>

Florida foliage fun

Tech support message. Text in body. Photo attached. From computer,
not phone.

Body scanner? I don't THINK so, TSA!!

Two amusing conversations so far today:
Me: I'm checking out of room 401 - is the airport shuttle running on time
Hotel Staff: *panicked look*
Me: *questioning look*
Hotel Staff: Let me call the driver....
Me: ohhh kaaay....
Hotel Staff: Sorry, we don't have a shuttle running right now. I'm going to call a different hotel to see if they will pick you up.

They did eventually come and the driver was very nice. It was a little awkward as he ran some errands and picked up some rap star from a penthouse who was still high from a party the night before. It's all good!

Check-in went well at the airport except when they tried to get me to walk through the body scanner. yeah. NO. Sorry, but I don't believe in porn whether or not it's "for my safety" or "the person watching is in another building." Seriously? OOH - so it's like filming a porn movie and having someone else watch in another room. Right. I'm ok with that! Dream on TSA. Needless to say, they let me walk through the normal scanner.

Boarding! HELLO COSTA RICA!!!

Florida foliage fun

Experimenting with photos.

THere's something in my eye...

Alrighty then, just received my wake up call in the hotel. (A little too perky if you ask me - it's 4:30am to my body!) I'm taking the shuttle back to the airport at 8:30!!

I am SO EXCITED! I think it only hit me in the last 10 hours or so - I was excited before but now I'm EXCITED! Big difference. :)

There are supposed to be 2 other people on my flight that are in my group. Please excuse the next few random posts, but I am problem solving with the picture issues on my blog...

Off to the central regions! WOOHOO!!!

I give up!

Well, looks like I'll have to do more playing around to figure out how to get pictures to upload. However, at least I know that texts will arrive!

Current anti-malaria plan: Bathe in Deet. yummy. Chemicals are GREAT!

Maybe this will work?

Yeah for airports. Sent from my iPhone

Let's try again! Sent from my iPhone

Airport!

First post from my email. exciting stuff :)



Sent from my iPhone

Packed and Ready to GO!!

Well, not really.... The last load of laundry is in the dryer and I am yet to figure out exactly how I am going to fit it all into my already full duffel bag. Fortunately, I've always been rather talented at shoving things into small places. Here's to hoping!

Things left to do today before I head out:
Register with American Embassy (hopefully a completely UNNECESSARY act)
Send out Itinerary and contact numbers to family (so you can call me and let me know that I just won $1,000,000)
Get cash out at the bank. (hm...if there is any in there :)
Find a mosquito net (augh! Malaria! and I forgot to get pills...)

Here is an abbreviated itinerary of the adventure I'm about to embark on!

8/7 - Fly to Ft. Lauderdale, Fl
8/8 - Fly to Costa Rica, General Orientation
8/9 - Veterinary Orientation/Depart for Cartago
8/10 - Small Animal Surgical Clinic
8/11 - Small Animal Surgical Clinic
8/12 - Small Animal Surgical Clinic
8/13 - Travel to Nicaragua
8/14 - Recreation/Travel
8/15 - Large Animal Clinic Day
8/16 - Small Animal Surgical Clinic
8/17 - Recreation/Travel
8/18 - Small Animal Surgical Clinic
8/19 - Exotic Animal Experience (at a zoo, most likely)
8/20 - Leave for US

More details to come! :)

Deb