I’ve spent the last two years as a Recovery Room nurse and one of my observations is that there is a huge difference in how the post-op patients differ in their experience/expression of pain. It would appear the Guatemalan people either have a high pain threshold or it is in their culture to hide it.
The experiences I have had here are some of the most rewarding of my life. I hope to be able to continue mission work at the same level and am so thankful I have been given this opportunity.
Susan Adamson
Huehuetenango-2009
Mindy Bowen is also a nurse at UIHC and works in
the Recovery Room.
Huehuetenango is now my second mission with the MOST team. These missions have been one of the most rewarding and fulfilling things I have ever had the pleasure of being involved with. As a nurse you give so much of yourself everyday at your job with little or no words of thanks from the patients or families. Here in Guatemala the thanks are non-stop. I believe it was stated very well last year by Dr. Jodi Jones; she said she believed the difference was “expectation vs. hope”. In the US, we expect that our children’s lips will be repaired. In Guatemala they hope they may have the chance to get their child’s lip and palate repaired. With the MOST mission we are able to answer some of those dreams of hope and the gratitude is overwhelming.
I would recommend to anyone interested in doing something like this to get involved and pursue that interest because you will never regret it. I would like to thank my family for being so understanding of the importance of my being here.
Love you and miss you all
Mindy Bowen