Week 2

This week I've been working with Dr. Salazar, a gynecologist at El Hospital IESS, one of the biggest hospitals in the city. Gynecology was never on my list of fields that interest me, and although I did see some interesting things this week, it's definitely going to remain that way. On Monday I watched my first surgery: they inserted a camera and a "picking" tool into a patient's uterus through the abdomen in order to cut away at a benign mass on the uterine wall. Afterward they said that she might as well get a hysterectomy because although the mass was benign, she wouldn't be able to have kids. That night I went running for the first time, which I found out the next morning was a horrible idea, and saw Toy Story 3 at a nearby mall (for only $3.50!!).

A group of Ecuadorian med students that work at Hospital IESS are friends with my host sister's boyfriend Andres, who also works there. After working with Dr. Salazar I would hang out with them for a while. If there's anything to do they let me do it/show me how, but if not we just talk about music and stuff. Today I took blood for the first time with them. They hadn't even shown me how to do it yet and they asked in front of a patient if I wanted to try; I could see the look of absolute relief on her face when I said I'd better watch first. My first go at it wasn't perfect, but I got the job done. I was surprised to feel so undisturbed about sticking someone when I hate needles so much myself.

This weekend we're going to Mindo, a place known for its jungle ziplines and butterfly sanctuary.