Three
and a half days to go was a little bit of a startling realization this morning
when I woke up today. I have had such a great experience here and in some ways
it has sped by and in some ways it has felt like a long time! However, there is
still work to do. This morning, I went to Vila Mutirao once again to attend
home visits with Equipe 49, the health care team whose meeting I attended on
Friday. There were two visits scheduled for 10:00 AM. Since I arrived a little
early, I once again was able to help Nurse Maria Irnete in the Sala de Vacina
until it was time to leave. The first address to which we traveled was the
address given by one of the patients we discussed on Friday. She is a patient
of particular interest for Equipe 49 as she has a high risk pregnancy. The
address, however, did not prove to be where the patient lives. Whether or not the patient did not know her
correct address or purposely gave an incorrect one remains to be seen, but
either way, the Equipe will need to again evaluate a method of providing
accompaniment for this patient. The next address where we went was of a patient
around thirty years old with schizophrenia. He lives with his mother and
needed his prescriptions to be renewed. The doctor of Equipe 49 is currently a
newly formed doctor who just graduated last year in May. She seemed to be very
attentive though and worked with patience and thoroughness. After examining the
patient and determining that he is in good general physical health, she renewed
his prescriptions and ordered regular blood work that he needs to have
annually. This is always difficult for him as he does not usually leave his
house, due to a fear of crowds, but the doctor hopes his mother will be able to
convince him to go for the tests and after for a consultation in the PSF to
discuss the results.
When
I left Vila Mutirao and returned home, Professora Vera and I ate lunch together
before Thaynara and Karen picked me up to spend the afternoon with the Buenos.
We did some errands, ate acai, and just caught up since I have not been able to
spend time with them since the Independence Day celebration we had on July 3. Later
in the evening, I returned and went with Sister Joana and her friend Creusa to
the weekly women’s group therapy session that they lead. They have led this
group in the neighborhood for ten years and were excited to welcome me there
and explain their mission. Tonight, since July is a holiday month, there were
only three “regulars” in attendance, but each shared part of their story with
me, telling how they joined the group and through what difficulties it has
helped them. For each of these women, the women’s group has meant an incredible
amount. They have grown in community with each other and have learned to
express themselves in a positive way. They have all become more productive
members of society and have continued throughout the existence of the group to
serve their community, attend the group themselves, and invite new members. The
discussion of the night also centered around the ten year anniversary
celebration that the group will be having in a few weekends.
