The Final Week

The rest of the week went smoothly. The docs that where being trained in Prolotherapy where more confident in their injections techniques and therefore needed less supervision. We let them work up patients on their own and call for us when they felt that they needed help or to show them something. We treat lots of knees, backs, shoulders, necks and all other joints too.That's because Prolo works! One of the docs with us from Puerto Rico was interviewed on local TV about Prolotherapy. Our dentist, Dr Disbel Mansilla, was interviewed about the dental side of things.

On Wednesday evening, after dinner at Erica’s Café, we had a farewell party. Erica had arranged to have a DJ. So we all ended up dancing for a while with the encouragement of Disbel, who is avid dancer. She would go around and get people up one by one when they were just sitting around. Plus Erica had all kinds of hats for us so it was a good time for all. After the dancing we did karaoke, and I even sang “My Girl” for mi novia (girlfriend).

Thursday we only worked for two hours in the am and then had to leave to get back to the main town, La Ceiba. Once there we all did a bit of gift shopping and then got ready for the final evening party for all three clinics. It was held at the main hotel where we all stay in that town. After drinks and appetizers, we all went into a room where Dr. Jeff Patterson, director of the Hackett-Hemwall Foundation, spoke for about 30 minutes about the foundation, our trip and acknowledged a few of the pertinent people. As co-director of the Olanchito clinic, I was asked to say a few rods. Disbel, as the second week dentist, also was asked to say a few words. Then we all went outside poolside, for the final dinner and to say goodbye to the new friends that we all made over these two weeks and to the old friends that we sometimes only see once or twice a year.

The next am we all made our way to the next town, San Pedro Sula, where the flights leave back to the US. Disbel and I flew to Miami to spend another 24 hrs with my mom and brother. This is always a great way to end my trip. The next am I went for a swim in the Atlantic Ocean (nice warm water) and while Disbel ran on the beach. We then went back to my mom’s for a brunch. My aunt Shirley came by and we got to show her, my mom and brother all the pictures of our trip. Then it was a 5 ½ hr flight back to Los Angeles.

This is my sixth year and it always gets better. The people of Honduras have so little and appreciate whatever one can do for them. They are very grateful and thankful for whatever we can offer. The feeling one gets form doing this is without words. Thank you all for taking the time to read this.

All the best,

Peter A. Fields, MD, DC
“The Athletic Doc" and Ironman Triathlete

PS Anyone wanting to contribute items (clothing, school supplies, or whatever) I only ask that they either be dropped off at my office or shipped directly to Wisconsin for the January shipping down to Honduras.

PPS

If you or anyone else would like to volunteer time with us next year, please let me know and I will start the process of getting signed up. Anyone is encouraged to volunteer and many high school and college students love the experience it gives them.