The least I can do...

is to continue to add photos, now that I've discovered this nifty slide-show tool! Was that a long enough cliffhanger?
Cheers!

Cliffhanger....

As I sit here today and mourn the impending demise of summer, I realise that my incredibly long to-do list has gotten no shorter, but the amount of time in which to finish it is minuscule.

Among these things to do is up-date this blog. I left everyone hanging with promises of pictures and stories that are unfulfilled. I believe that upon my return from Nicaragua I was so overwhelmed with what we did, what we saw, what we experienced that I couldn't even face trying to put it in words. Nothing I said would make it seem real. Now, two months later, I miss it incredibly! There is a small yearning in the pit of my being clamoring for the color, scent and sound of a life so basic yet so vibrant and undeniably real. I truly believe that my experience in Nicaragua is shaping the path of my future and I owe all of you a big "Thank you!" for helping this happen.


Sunset over San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua June 2010

First Friend

"When the Man waked up he said, 'What is Wild Dog doing here?' And the Woman said, 'His name is not Wild Dog anymore, but the First Friend, because he will be our friend for always and always and always.....'"
~Rudyard Kipling

Hola!

Hello everyone! I´m sorry we haven´t been able to post anything for the last few days. There have been some crazy power outages throughout the town and the internet has not really been accessable because of that. I have a lot of catching up to do....did you hear we were in the paper? The Post Independent did an article on our trip and want to do a follow up when we get back...pretty cool! They misspelled my traveling companions names, but not much we can do about that now!
We just wrapped up our clinics for the week. We treated close to 200 animals working 12 hour days with no power or water. Can you imagine doing surgery in those conditions? It was nuts, but I feel that we have been very successful! I have a lot to share with you about the experience and a ton of pictures, but I´m afraid that may have to wait until I return to the States. It is so hot in this internet cafe right now I´m afraid I may pass out, as I have not felt well the last 2 days. GI problems, go figure!
Will be in Nicaragua until Wednesday, and I will get some pics up as soon as I can upon our return. Thanks for your support.
McClure

Made it!

We arrived safely in Managua last nite after being delayed in Miami for a broken windshield on the plane. They eventually put us on a new plane......

Our driver was patiently waiting for us and drove us to Granada in a humid drizzle. What a drastic change in weather from Colorado! We were greeted at Casa Silas by our Canadian host Rob, and his 4-legged companion Silas (yes, we picked this place because of the dog!)

We slept soundly and have had a lazy morning of Nicaraguan coffee and red beans with rice and fried eggs and pineapple. We don't meet the rest of the World Vets group until tomorrrow....so now off to explore Granada!

More later....

Ready or not.....it's go time!

This is it folks. Today the great journey begins.
I can't even describe how hectic the last few days have been with work and last minute preparations. We have a room in a cute B&B reserved in Granada for our first two nights in Nicaragua, and hope to do some exploring around the city, maybe kayak Las Isletas. Saturday, we head back to Managua to meet up with the rest of our World Vets team.
I can't believe this is it! So excited and nervous, but ready for the journey to begin.

10 days!

I'm sitting at my computer right now, covered in goose bumps. 10 days. That's it. I will be in Nicaragua in 10 days! Everyone keeps asking if I'm excited, and I am, but I'm also a bit nervous and of course, overwhelmed because I am the world's worst packer. It takes me forever to decide what to take, so I should get started now!
The weather in western Colorado has been less than warm, and kind of rainy, so that has allowed me a good excuse to stay inside and read, read, read my Moon Nicaragua handbook. We arrive in Nica before the rest of our World Vets group does, so we plan to go to Granada for the first day and a half. I am currently looking for a cozy, clean and affordable place to stay, of which there seem to be plenty, it's just a matter of choosing one! I have also discovered an invaluable web source for travelers (thank you Robert!!!) called Thorn Tree. It's a forum through Lonely Planet on which people can share advice and tips on travel in different countries. It's a gem, so check it out the next time you travel.
Before I begin packing, I need to unpack my summer clothes! Yet again, cool Colorado weather has prevented me from getting out the tupperware of shorts, skirts and t-shirts that have been living in my basement for the last 7 months. I checked the weather in Granada yesterday and it said the temperature was 87, but felt like 97 because of the humidity. I have a feeling I will melt, but I can't wait! It's been a long winter here in Colorado, and I am ready for a deep thaw! One thing I read, and Lindsay take note of this, is that Nicaragua is located a scant 12 degrees of latitude north of the Equator, so the sun's rays strike the Earth's surface at a more direct angle, meaning you will burn faster and sweat up to twice as much!!! Hope Lindsay has found some 85 spf sunscreen up there in Oregon :)
Well, I have a gazillion things to do so I should run. Remember, we still need donations! You can donate money through the Paypal link on this page or check out the lower post, the Final Push, about the medical supplies needed. Thanks!

Finally, a moment to introduce myself...

Bear with me on this as I am a blogger virgin.

A brief history of me:

I have just completed and graduated (May 1st) from an intense 4 years of the Veterinary Technology program at Colorado Mountain College. This program does NOT take four years, however after some mishaps with financial aid and a position working full time at a local animal shelter dropped into my lap, I opted to do the extended version. Now that I have completed the program I have accepted a job offer as an ER/ICU technician in Portland, OR. In fact just within the last week I made the treacherous drive from CO to OR with my lovely Mom and moved into my new place with my two little dwarfs (Sneezy and Grumpy). I have 2 weekends of work before embarking on my next journey: traveling to Nicaragua to volunteer with the World Vets organization by providing free medical care to the pet population of San Juan Del Sur.

I am beyond excited to be traveling in 3 weeks with two of the dearest people I have ever known. I am also thrilled to be spending this adventure as a volunteer with the World Vets Organization contributing to a cause that means so much to me.

From the very beginning of my Vet Tech career I have always had a fantasy of dedicating my time to helping animals in need in a far away land. I never thought it would become a reality as quickly as it has.

I am currently up to date on all the insanely expensive vaccines and wondering as well what to do regarding the Malaria. I am just biding my time in my new found city of Portland, OR by packing and saving every penny. I am also cramming as much info on Nicaragua and Spanish as I can into these next few weeks. This is the first time since school I finally feel I actually have the time and energy to do this.

I hope to be able to continue postings from our destination but if for some reason I am unable to find reliable access to the world wide web I will be telling all upon my return. Keep checking in: this is going to be one hell of an adventure.

As McClure mentioned this is the final count down! Donations as well as thoughts and comments are greatly appreciated at this crucial time!!!

Love to you all- Lindsay

Rabies is going down!

I received my third and final preventative Rabies vaccine today! This is a photo of the actual vaccine I received, it's pretty pink, huh? So that wraps up my vaccines, except for the Hep A booster I will receive in September. I'm ready to go!

I do have to decide what to do about the Malaria preventative pills. Malaria is a risk in Nicaragua, but I've heard that taking Chloroquine is actually worse than getting malaria! There is a new drug available, Malarone, that is tolerated better, but when my doctor called the pharmacy to inquire about the price, we discovered that it would cost me another $200. And unfortunately, there is the possibilty that you could contract Malaria while taking the preventative. Right now, as much as I hate using DEET, I'm thinking I will load up with that and take my chances! The information I have says that the area of Rivas has minimal risk for Malaria...anyone have any experience they want to share with Malaria pills?

And please, if you are new to this blog, check out my post on May 4th for ways you can help us make this trip happen, thanks!

The Final Push

Alright, this is it, the final push! Time to get down to business. School has kept me so busy, but now that is over (for the summer) and I've got many things to do before we leave in 3 weeks. Yep, that's right 3 weeks. There's not a lot of time and we need your help. We are asking for monetary and medical donations. Please, if you have a few extra dollars this week, send it to us. If you have access to veterinary supplies, take a peek at our wish list and send what you can our way. Here's what we need:

Most needed at this time:

2-0 and 3-0 dissolvable suture w/ needle (monofilament, absorbable)
Domitor/Antisedan
Flea/Tick Meds
IV catheters (24 and 22 gauge)
Surgical Gloves (size 6.5-8.5)
Needle Drivers
#2, #1, 0 and 2-0 chromic gut on cassette reels
Doxycycline
Cephalexin
Vaccine DHPP and FVRCP

Drugs:
Amoxicillin
Ampicillin Inj
Fluids (LRS/ saline etc)
Atropine
Clindamycin
Clavamox
Rimadyl
Dewormer
Flea/Tick Medication
Vaccine (DHPP, Rabies, FVRCP, FELV etc)
Isoflurane
Xylazine
surgical scrub
Ivermectin
Heparin
Eye Ointments
Vincristine

Supplies:
Drapes (disposable or otherwise)
Suture 2-0 and 3-0 Dissolvable with needles
Vetwrap/Co Flex
IV Catheters (24,22,20 guage)
Scalpel Blades #10 and #15
Gauze
Surgical Gloves (any size)
Endotracheal tubes
Exam gloves
Catgut suture
IV drip sets
Electric/Portable clippers
#40 clipper blades
muzzles
exam gloves
ID Bands/Paper Collars
Leashes (flat, D-ring)
Digital Thermometers

Other:
Mobile Veterinary Clinic (Dodgen or other)
Anesthetic machines(compact sizes) /vaporizers
Portable Monitors (ie pulse oximeter, portable ekg etc)
Surgical Instruments
Laptop computers
Microscope
Hoof trimming tools (nippers, rasps etc)
Otoscopes/opthalmoscopes
Equine dental equipment (floats/speculum etc)
Headlamps
AAA batteries for headlamps
V positioners for surgery

If you have access to any of these items please email me at ayuda.de.patas@gmail.com and I can give you the address to which to ship the supplies. If you think your veterinarian may be willing to help us, please pass this list on to them, or share our blog with them.

If you are able to make a monetary donation, you can do so through the pay-pal link on this page. Every penny we receive goes to this trip and the World Vets Organization. If you want to help, but don't have the time to volunteer, help us help them by sending us what you can spare. Thank you.

Preparations Continue...

It has been a crazy, busy month since I last posted and there were so many times I sat down to write, but.....WOW! A month! That means we are about 5 weeks from our departure and there is still so much to do!!!
Currently all three of us vet tech students are in the "death throws" of this semester of school. Last day of classes is Friday, final exams next week, and then we can really throw ourselves at being ready for this trip! I have lists of things I want to accomplish, but have put those on the back burner until school is done. Now I've scared myself! I haven't really looked at a calendar and realized how close we are to leaving for Nicaragua until tonight. Feeling a little overwhelmed, but I can do it! Now off to do some last minute studying for my Clinical Pathology Lab Practical Final tomorrow! Wish me luck!

Health Information for Travelers to Nicaragua

The first step to preparing for the trip to Nicaragua is making sure that we ourselves are properly vaccinated so we can perform our jobs without putting ourselves at risk! The most important for us, and also the most expensive, will be the Rabies vaccine. We will receive 3 injections, at $210 a shot, $630 total. That's a small price to pay to avoid Rabies! We are in contact with our insurance companies, to see if there is some way to get this vaccine covered, but will have to pay up-front, as the Health Department does not accept any insurance plans.

If you are traveling any time soon, check out the Center for Disease Control at http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/

Vaccine Preventable Diseases

Routine ~ Recommended if you are not up-to-date with routine shots such as, measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus (DPT) vaccine, poliovirus vaccine, etc.

Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG) ~ Recommended for all unvaccinated people traveling to or working in countries with an intermediate or high level of hepatitis A virus infection (see map) where exposure might occur through food or water. Cases of travel-related hepatitis A can also occur in travelers to developing countries with "standard" tourist itineraries, accommodations, and food consumption behaviors.

Hepatitis B ~ Recommended for all unvaccinated persons traveling to or working in countries with intermediate to high levels of endemic HBV transmission (see map), especially those who might be exposed to blood or body fluids, have sexual contact with the local population, or be exposed through medical treatment (e.g., for an accident).

Typhoid ~ Recommended for all unvaccinated people traveling to or working in Mexico and Central America, especially if visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas and staying with friends or relatives where exposure might occur through food or water.

Rabies ~ Recommended for travelers spending a lot of time outdoors, especially in rural areas, involved in activities such as bicycling, camping, or hiking. Also recommended for travelers with significant occupational risks (such as veterinarians), for long-term travelers and expatriates living in areas with a significant risk of exposure, and for travelers involved in any activities that might bring them into direct contact with bats, carnivores, and other mammals. Children are considered at higher risk because they tend to play with animals, may receive more severe bites, or may not report bites.

So far, we've determined we are up to date on routine vaccines, received the Hepatitis vaccines, started the Typhoid live vaccine pills and will be starting Rabies soon....wish us luck!

It's Official!

We will be traveling to San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua on May 29th with World Vets!!! We are so excited and can't wait to make a difference for the people and animals of Nicaragua. We will be working with World Vets until June 5th and then may stay for a few days of beach time. I keep saying we because I have two friends from the vet tech program at CMC who will be making this journey with me, so it should make for an epic adventure!

In the begining...

I have always loved animals and I have been lucky to have them in my life since day 1. There have been so many wonderful animal companions in my 29 years, Brownie, Chauncey, Bubba Bear, Jocassee, Freddie, Tiger, Powder, Doc, Acadia, Denali, Dakota, Rio, Marley....the list goes on and on. It is from their unequivocable love and companionship that I have developed the desire to give back, to share that love and compassion.
When I was 15 years old, I went to Russia as part of an exchange program. It was a life altering experience and I credit a great deal of who am I today to that experience. There are so many things I could tell you about that trip, but one story in particular, pertaining to animals and consequently this blog, I will share with you:
One afternoon, my host sister and I were returning home from the day's activities. To shorten our trip we decided to cut through an alley in the city of Ivanovo. On this alley, a large delivery truck was parked at the back entrance to a butcher shop. The back door of the truck was open and inside I could see carcasses hanging. Being a vegetarian, I wanted to look away, but what kept my attention were the cats....they were everywhere! I then realized that's all I could hear, cat's meowing and calling other cats, hissing and yowling. Cats were running down the alley towards us, running up behind us, jumping out of trees and over fences, jumping into the truck where the meat was! I couldn't believe it, never in my life had I seen this many cats. Where did they all come from?
Later, at the age of 21, I traveled to Mexico with a group of college friends. They were all painfully aware of my love for all creatures great and small. There was rarely a week that passed without me bringing home stray cats, catching dogs on the side of the road whom I was afraid would get hit, taking owls hit by cars to the nature preserve, live-catching mice and releasing them down the driveway, just so they could come right back into the house! My friends warned me that there would be lots of stray animals, and I shouldn't try to pet them or feed them, I could get bitten or catch some weird disease, and they weren't about to ruin their vacation sitting with me in a hospital! Of course I didn't listen, I had a month's supply of hand sanitizer and an innate understanding of animals! I petted stray dogs, took my left-over food out and dumped it in the alley for the strays, broke up dog fights on the beach.

My friends laughed and shook their heads, there was nothing they could do to stop me. On that trip I vowed that I would one day come back, and when I did, I would have solutions to the problems I saw. I would help set up vaccination clinics and offer spay/neuter services, to curb the feral population. I firmly believed that the animals should not suffer from poverty and ignorance, and the people should be educated about the health benefits of having pets who are disease free and a controllable feral population.
Now is finally my time. It's been a long, windy road, but I am finally here. My plan is to volunteer with World Vets, a non-profit organization providing vet services all over the world (see the link in the toolbar, above & right). Right now I'm looking at a trip to Nicaragua in May of this year.
The purpose of this blog is to share with you my journey, my hopes, my fears, my love. I believe that in order to make this world we live in a better place, we must live to serve others, those less fortunate, those without a voice, those with need...and my journey starts now.