Friends and Family,
Monthly diabetics come together in the Clinica Maxena to meet with a Nutritionist and evaluate their glucose, blood pressure, and weight. Forty came this morning, and this is a fraction of the many diabetics now diagnosed in our clinic. Carolina, the Nutritionist, will provide a more accurate diet for our type 1 diabetics, who are now suffering malnutrition and one on one nutritional consult. Obesity is also a common symptom with dibetics and another theme being presented in groups. The Medicinal Plant clinic presents teas specific for diabetics, a natural sugar substitute without chemicals, soya another important nutrient in this culture. The medical needs and control is vital for these patients to prevent secondary illness.
It has been a very busy week in the clinic. This morning a 12 day old baby went home with her mom from our in patient ward. The baby was born with a mid wife at home but the mom resulted with an infection at went to the hospital several days ago. The grandmother had brought the baby to us as she did not have formula to give the baby. Thankfully in this culture, in these emergent situations, other mothers breast feeding from the same community will provide breast milk. The grandmother was able to find some support from these other mothers but the baby was not thriving. He weighed only 5 pounds at birth. I went to the hospital to see how the mom was doing and she was being discharged. We had brought our breast pump with us to see if we could get permission to pump her breasts, so her milk would not dry up, but this was not necessary; we brought the mom and baby back to the clinic. With the breast pump we were able to stimulate her production of breast milk as it was beginning to dry. This is a very serious complication as mothers can not purchase formula and naturally breast milk is most important to infants. After two days in the clinic the mom went home with her new baby boy! She will return for check up with our doctor and we will monitor closely the infant.
Maria, our young patient with AIDS, came for a check up, and to pick up some of our nutritious atole. She continues to improve and enjoy being back in the classroom. May 13 the Clinic will commemorate solidarity with AIDS patients with others from Pastoral Health from the diocese here. We will have a candle light vigil for victims. This is a national day for Solidarity with AIDS patients in the country.
Continue to remember these people in prayer. Also thank you for your interest in our work and your financial assistance.
Sheila
Fotos include Maria, living with Aids with our auxiliary nurse, Maria, who monitors her care and
Carolina, Nutritionist from Pastoral Health of our diocoese here, talking with a new diabetic, Manuel.
Send your donation to
Diocese of Helena
Guatemala Mission
PO Box 1729
Helena, MT 59624
note for the Clinica Maxeña
