Clinic Summary

Written by Peggy Stickney, MD

This trip is my second trip to Piura and medical mission trip with this group. My first was back in 2014. Some of the scenery remains the same and some has changed. The feel of the mission trip remains the same. When we got here, it still felt like this was where I was supposed to be. Helping/assisting with the gifts God has allotted me to utilize for the good of all who are here. The patients are of third world living. Many of them live from day to day. Water supplies remain questionable. Some of the areas have reportedly improved, but some have gotten worse. The water that came out of the kitchen faucet here at the school was the worst she has seen it. “It looks like stream water!” Deb said. There is one of the water filtrations in the kitchen that does an excellent job of taking that water and making it consumable. This is what we have used to fill our daily water bottles to keep ourselves hydrated through the day. It may be winter here, but it is warmer than Wisconsin right now.

Since it is winter here, many of the maladies we suffer from they do as well. Allergies, colds, upset stomachs, arthritic aches and pains, fungal skin infections are the majority of what I have seen/treated today. Many also with painful wrists and carpal tunnel from activities of daily living which include washing laundry by hand, cooking and preparing meals by hand (without food processors or kitchen aid utensils), cleaning, washing dishes by hand, and many of the other chores I take for granted on a daily basis. The only difference is that when I have an ache or pain, I can go grab a bottle of Tylenol or something where they may not have the resources or availability for getting the medication. Diabetics who are not on medications and can not afford to eat correctly, have time to exercise or have access to see a doctor to keep this under control. “What do I do when I run out of this ?” “I am supposed to take this every day. Then what am I supposed to do?” This was heard a few times today by me. I am sure the others heard it as well. 

Click on Pictures Below to Enlarge

Dr. Peggy Checking Results of Urine Test

People in Waiting Room Waiting to be Seen

Dr. Peggy Talking With the Patients

We had around 170 patients in the clinic today. The clinic was running very well. Like any first day, there were many things that were modified and adjusted to help with the flow of the patient experience. Everyone was very appreciative we were here. Everyone said thank you. A number of them gave hugs and were very patient when we needed to utilize the translators to help understand their issues. Finishing up the first day of clinic, we are very proud of what we have done and feel like we helped people. We are tired and going to head to bed to get up in the morning to do this all again for the next 4 days. Thank you to everyone back home who contributed, are praying for us and the mission, and to the parish for sponsoring the trip. God bless.