Final Thoughts Post Trip

Final Thoughts from us

Post Trip
We are grateful for...

"Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not"
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

The wonderful individuals we met

who both stared at and cared for us...

 and who inspired us by their spirit and dedication... 

and showed us our potential niches in future international medicine work.

The patients we met

Who both brought us joy and inspired us to continue overseas work in the future...

 and for
the bonds we formed 

both during our travel and after our return...

 Thank you for your support 

Day Thirteen and Fourteen

Day Thirteen and Fourteen

So much Travel

"The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page" -St. Augustine

Over the next two days we traveled and traveled...

from Anaikatti to Coimbatore, 

from Coimbatore to Mumbai, 

from Mumbai to New Delhi, 

from New Delhi to Chicago 

and 

finally from Chicago to...

Meli's for BRUNCH!

Day Twelve

Day Twelve

Extra Busy day: 

Operating Room, Afternoon Remote Site clinic, Sari pickup and Dessert with friends

"He who has health, has hope; and he who has hope, has everything" -Arabian proverb

Operating Room Morning
Cases:
-Pilonidal cyst
-Open inguinal hernia repair

Bethany's awesome pre-op, OR and post-op nurses!

Mid morning tea (or Fanta)!

Afternoon Village Clinic

This afternoon, we traveled with the Bethany team (physician, nurses, pharmacists and staff) in their ambulance to a local town and set up a mobile clinic in the town's school.

During clinic we saw many complaints similar to those we'd see back at home such as: children with URI's, rashes, bug bites, eczema, gastroenteritis and adults with osteoarthritis and vertigo.

We stayed for snacks and to dance and spend time with the kids after clinic was held.

Then we ran home to visit the village tailor and pick up our beautiful, handmade saris!

Then... we ran to Dr. Clement's home, where him and his lovely wife hosted us for music and dessert.
We were so touched by their genuine kindness and dedication to their work at Bethany.
They were so hospitable and it made us even sadder realizing that we'd be leaving in the morning!

Day Eleven

Day Eleven

Clinical Day and Surprise Cesarean Section

"To everything there is a season... a time to be born and a time to die...a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance.." 

-Proverbs

Today we were able to yet again, witness the miracle of birth...

This time from within an operating room for an unexpected C-section!

Vanessa and Jen chased the baby after it was delivered and carried to the joint pre/post op area.

While Christina ran back to the operating room to watch the mother's repair and closure.

Day Ten

Day Ten

Clinic and Unexpected Obstetrics Day

"True happiness comes from the joy of deeds well done, the zest of creating things new" 
-Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Today while in clinic we had an unexpected surprise, we were called into the delivery suite to witness our first vaginal delivery. 

Although universally messy, birth is also universally one of the most breathtaking and moving experiences to witness and be a part of....

Lets just say there were some moist eyes and a few lumps in our throats as we watched a new life enter the world...

Afternoon Beauty

Later in the afternoon, we were able to witness another type of beauty...

No words necessary!

We also met a few friends along the way...

And we did NOT meet a few others... although not for lack of looking!

Day Nine

Day Nine

Clinical Day: Radiology and Ortho focused

"Wherever the art of medicine is loved, there is also a love of humanity" -Hippocrates

Today in clinic Jen worked with Dr. Muralidar, 

while V and Christina worked with Dr. Clement getting more exposure to Orthopedics at Bethany and true radiology! 

We didn't review images on a computer screen- we used developed film XRays- held up to any light source we could find nearby...

Splinting is a similar process to what we perform in the states, except the material varies- here we splinted with plaster!

Day Eight

Day Eight

Day of Rest AKA Hiking and Games

"No quote for today"

No need for words... Just check these gorgeous photos out!