And its a wrap!

Saturday is the last day for most team one members. Several patients will be discharged today. I spent most of the morning shadowing the ward nurses as they checked in on their adult patients before the physio nurses hauled them out of bed for some exercises. Those who did their exercises satisfactorily will most likely get discharged today. Before they leave however, they attend a discharge class which basically tells them how to take care of themselves so they don't end up dislocating their new hip/hips or opening a wound etc. They are given pain medication to take home with them and then it's asta la vista baby! Hopefully, they will recover fully and within weeks, be walking normally with zero pain.

Maria getting some excersices with physiotherapist aide, Justine.

Pedro climbing some steps with the help of Justine and Adam.

Erika (with her mother) is all smiles as she prepares to leave.

Physiotherpaists, Krystle and Rachel (with translator Consuelo) 

hold a discharge class for the patients.

Two little girls Dayana (2.5 years) and Danna 1.5 years) will also be discharged today. Both had hip dysplasia and so each had one of their hips replaced (pelvic osteotemies). Dayana is a serious little thing. Her mum on the other hand just can't stop smiling and saying "Gracias". She will be in chest to feet cast for weeks to keep the new hip in place.

Dayana (holding a play doh) recovering in her room.

Little Danna (with her parents and nurse Sabrina), waving goodbye.

On Saturday night, team one and team two meet for the first time at a banquet hosted by CAMTA to thank everyone for their hard work. And what a night it was! We were entertained by Ecuadorian dancers, had great food, speeches and conversations. I am truly blessed to have worked with such an amazing group or people. Most of team one members will depart on Monday as team two takes over for another busy week.

With Janet Roberts (med student and my roommate) and Sandra Henkel (CAMTA blogger)

Sunday is my day off. After such an intense week, the fatigue finally caught up with me. I slept in till noon and after a quick lunch, went exploring old Quito. The pictures below speak a thousand words. Quito (considered one of the top ten places in the world to retire) really is one of the most amazing places I have ever seen my entire life. (See pics below uploaded just for your viewing pleasure!)


Monday morning: Off to Peru to meet my sister, Dorothy and my oldest and dearest friend, Shiko. Machu Picchu, here we come!

Thank you all for your support and for stepping into my world by following my blog! I could not have done this without your support! 

Muchos Gracias!

Basílica del Voto Nacional is a Roman Catholic church located in the historic center of Quito, Ecuador. It is sometimes also called the Catedral Consagración de Jesús or the Basílica de San Juan. It is the largest neo-Gothic basilica in the Americas.

Loved this windows!

Close up shot of the guardian angel also known as the Angel of Quito.

Look at how the clouds literally roll into the hills!