Medical work

"Auntie, can you give me medicine for the flu?"

"The flu? Well, tell me more about what you are feeling..."

Blank stare. Sister comes to the rescue.

"Auntie, she needs medicine for the flu."

After much poking and prodding, it sounded like every day she had a congested nose, especially at night. No fevers, no cough.

My diagnosis: allergies (the air is thick with mango pollen and smoke from burning fields and trash).

Not a day goes by that I do not use my medical skills. There is so much GERD (acid reflux) - interpreted as chest pains - so I treat GERD A LOT! This season there are also a lot of allergies - interpreted as "the flu" - so I'm treating allergies too. Mostly, my "patients" are people who come into my home. I haven't put out a shingle; I don't want a general patient population. I'm here to work with children with disabilities once I have learned the language and culture. That is my passion, my heart's desire, and even my training!

But it does keep my mind in the game to have new symptoms posed to me in new ways, in a new culture, in a new language! I found a pharmacy that I trust and can communicate with, so that is very helpful as I am still exploring what medications are available here.