Marta, age 66, came to the clinic today for an ultrasound at the recommendation of Dr. Tune. Marta learned about the MMF team visiting San Lucas Toliman from her husband, who drives an ambulance for the hospital, as well as from Dr. Tune, who felt that the specialists with the MMF team could help Marta understand the source of her abdominal pain and swelling. She said that she didn’t feel scared about her visit, because “The MMF team is a group that saves lives” so she feels comfortable in their care.
Andres, age 47, was scheduled for a hernia operation today with the MMF team. As a result of the severe pain he’s been experiencing for a long time due to the hernia, it is very difficult for Andres to 
work. His job, a contributing source of his hernia, is cutting wood. As you drive along the mountainous, winding roads surrounding Lake Atitlan, it is common to see men, women and even young children carrying heavy bundles of wood or other goods on their heads or backs. Not being able to work is a significant concern for Andres, who has 11 children ranging in age from 6-18 to provide for, including 3 sets of twins. He hopes to get a different job, in a store or other business, so that he doesn’t have such difficult physical work. But for now, his primary goal is to have his pain alleviated, with help from the surgeons, nurses and the rest of the medical team from Medical Missions Foundation.
Overall, the team had a very busy and productive day running two beds in the Operating Room, and also saw many children and adults in the clinic, referring some patients for surgery when needed.
Maria, age 74, has been living with a neck mass nearly the size of her head. The mass would seem extremely large on any adult, but it was especially shocking to see such a large mass sitting atop Maria’s frail 70-pound body. Calmly and quietly, Maria waited as the pre-op team prepared her for a 4-hour surgery, where the MMF surgical team removed the 6-pound mass. Maria will spend the night tonight in the hospital in San Lucas until morning when the MMF doctors can check her progress. As of the end of day today, Maria was resting comfortably.
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