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Thank you Dr. Wayne Farmer

 

I'd like to take time to thank Doctor Wayne, a humble, smart, compassionate pulmonologist, who came as a volunteer through Mission Doctors Association for over 6 weeks. 

From the moment he arrived, Dr. Wayne went right to work, stepping foot off of a 5 hour boat ride and into the clinic. His first patients were a family of 5 children whose mother was diagnosed with active tuberculosis.

It was serendipity  that he arrived within a weeks of a few newly diagnosed patients with TB, as well as others with hemoptysis and allergic lung disease. What an amazing asset to have, being that we are surrounded by patients with lung disease! Above, Dr. Wayne is precepting Ray Mendez, a forth year Loyola student who was here volunteering, for the second time actually.

We did spend some time exploring too. Thanks to Dr. Wayne's yearning for adventure, we took a trip to Huiririma. We started with a hike through the jungle, much of which Charlie slept on Carlisle's shoulder

Dr. Farmer leads the way, and I stick close behind Carlisle, on guard for mosquitos landing on Charlie and keeping him protected from the sun (with his cool hat from Auntie Erica)

He loved looking at the expansive canopy, chattering birds, muddy puddles, mushrooms growing off rotting downed trees, and ferns sprouting from every crevice. 

We arrived at Manolo's (a co-worker's) aunt's house, and she offered to prep and cook the fish that we brought for lunch, and then provided us with boiled plantains to complement the delicious fish soup. Thank you also to Colin and Afshan, in the right of the picture below who were visiting from UCLA. 

Below is Manolo's family relaxing in the afternoon heat after working over their wood burning stove to cook the food.

We love getting away to Huiririma, and although it's often only a for a few hours, to swim and relax and boat on the tranquil Napo is good for the soul!