Time flies when you are having fun! I cannot believe it’s been more than two weeks since I first arrived in Juan Santamaría Airport in Costa Rica. Last week, I’ve been conducting clinical observations in the neurology department with Dr. Bogantes at Hospital de Niños (National Children’s Hospital). I was introduced to so many new neurological conditions, particularly those that affect children, as well as the associated medications and treatment modalities. Having spent a week observing outpatient pediatric neurology, there were a lot of mixed feelings as a lot of the conditions cannot be cured and can only be controlled to prevent its progression. We saw a patient with congenital myopathy, where the patient needed feeding and tracheostomy tubes due to the neuromuscular disease nature weakening her muscles. Her parents needed to suction rather frequently and carry around a suction machine with them. Her quality of life is significantly affected. We also saw many patients where the primary objective has become palliative care. Perhaps because of this, it warms my heart even more when I see patients walk in on their own and chatter relentlessly. In particular, patients who had epileptic episodes in the past but now live very normal lives with medication control. Never take your health for granted! Being physically in the hospital and consultation rooms also allowed me to fully immerse myself in the clinical environment and identify potential needs from observations. With a few ideas in mind, I am excited to start tackling design projects soon.
On a brighter note, myself, Alex, and Rei went on a road trip to San Carlos this past weekend, with our lovely friend and guide William, who we first met at the Needs Finding Bootcamp. We got to visit the Arenal Volcano, Agua Termales (local hot springs), Rio Agrio Cascada (waterfall), and experienced driving through torrential downpour- a typical San Carlos afternoon! We were lucky to visit the volcano on a rather clear day so we were able to see the outline of the volcano very well, but we were less fortunate with the weather when we visited the waterfall. Both of the views were breathtaking. We also had amazingly delicious and authentic Caribbean rice and beans with chicken (locally recommended) as well as a very traditional breakfast with Gallo Pinto and local San Carlos cheese on the second morning. It amazes me how within reach nature is in Costa Rica. Even on our 2 hour drive back to Escazu from San Carlos, we passed by many waterfalls (in varying degrees of magnitude), rainforests, coffee farms, strawberry farms, and saw many, many cows. From this trip, I also learned the significance of and stories behind Santamaría, and why that is the name of the airport. I am very excited to further explore more of the nature Costa Rica has to offer in the coming weekends.
Waterfall + Volcano
Caribbean Rice & Beans with Chicken