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Medical mission of mercy helping
Nicaragua's poor
"When we first went to the
hospital there were hundreds of
people standing there saying,
'please help us.' It was
overwhelming the number of
people who wanted medical
treatment and I know it was
something the doctors struggled
with too."
She recalled one incident of a
woman badly in need of surgery
on her legs who managed to get
through the fenced compound and
was pleading with a doctor to do
something.
"He (doctor) just couldn't say
no and so we managed to squeeze
her in, that's how bad it was,"
said Glenn-Harmer. "It was all
kind of a blur to me."
In the two weeks the group,
under the banner of the Kelowna-based,
Mobile Adventist Surgery for
Humanity (MASH) helped about
1,000 people at the base surgery
camp and through outreach
programs.
Because of the limited medical
facilities and the danger of
post-operative complications
such as infection, surgery was
limited to people who were in
relatively good health otherwise
and who had a quick-recovery
prognosis.
Surgeries included;
hysterectomies, hernia repairs
and gall bladders.
Despite the deplorable living
conditions Glenn-Harmer
described the people as cheery
and incredibly grateful for any
attention they got, especially
the children.
In addition to the medical
supplies and services, the group
also brought many donated items
such as toys and clothes.
The registered nurse said after
the story about their trip
appeared in the Nov. 23rd issue
of the Herald the response in
terms of support was "awesome."
Other Penticton medical
professionals who went to
Nicaragua included nurses
Michelle Panov, Eva Boyd and
Doctors Bryan Tighe and Keith
McIver.
"It was tough and overwhelming
at times but very rewarding,"
said Panov. "You can only help
so many people but I would go
back in a heartbeat."
Both nurses agreed coming back
to Canada was difficult
especially faced with the
realization of how much they
have here.
"We get used to all those
luxuries and coming back from an
area where you know there is so
much you can do for these
people," said Glenn-Harmer.
"It's hard to explain, it was
tough . . ."
She is already planning her next
visit.
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