Personal Perspective: More than Just Clinical Experience by Julian

As a part of our blog, we open up entries to 7G goers so that they can offer their insight of their view on the M.E.M.O. 7G mission trip. We call these entries, "Personal Perspective," and list the name of the 7G goer. These are their stories on this journey. 

August 10, 2013

As we pulled up to our first health clinic in Mo Cay, Ben Tre province, everyone seemed both anxious and excited. Set up was really hectic, especially with hundreds of people waiting restlessly for us to finally begin taking patients. Before we were even able to finish setting up, they started calling people, and a lot of us felt overwhelmed with the huge crowd of patients that started to push and shove to try to get finished first. There was a very memorable moment when I was taking this elderly woman's glucose level, and Trang came over to assist me in applying band aids. The elderly woman immediately hugged and gave Trang two kisses because Trang apparently looked like her granddaughter. It was a very cute moment that helped me open up and attempt to converse with the patients who were at the health clinic and learn more about them. 

Hundreds of people wait restlessly for the 7G team to begin for clinic.

Julian is part of the triage team during the clinic days, where he gets firsthand interaction with the patients.

Working with Trang and the rest of the triage team, Julian works to take the glucose level of the patients who come to clinic.

We actually had two health clinics that day, as we had to pack up around noon and head to the second location. At the second location, another hundreds of people who have been waiting in the rain since the early morning greeted us. The second clinic went more smoothly with only one hiccup when all of our electrical equipment overloaded the electrical circuit, and we actually blew the fuse to the building. The clinic went very late into the evening, as we had taken in not only those that we had invited but also those who had not been invited and had waited until the end in hopes of being treated.

The scene of the second clinic. Hundreds of people have been waiting in the rain for the free clinic.

Julian continues to show the patients respect and care when it comes to taking their glucose levels.

Julian smiles, knowing that he has made a difference in the lives of the people whom he met during clinic.

A very spicy banh mi sandwich served as a quick dinner because the clinic went for so long. The university medical students and volunteers had organized a social for us that consisted of various performances. There was even a performance by fellow MEMObers! After the performances, they held a bonfire for us outside, completed with bonfire games. It got a little awkward at times because we had no idea what was going on. We were all very tired from the long clinic day; as a result, we were not really able to enjoy the social and bonfire as much as we should have. However, we still appreciated and cherished what the university students planned for us, treating them as friends.

Julian and his dinner of spicy banh mi sandwiches.

All of the 7G team got up on their feet during the social by the university students.

The bonfire filled with awkward moments, fun, and memories.

The day finally came to a close when we finally got back to the hotel in Ben Tre and ate dinner. I think everyone knocked out the second they hit their bed that night because we were all exhausted. That day has got to be one of the most tiring days of the trip, but it was worth it because we were able to see over 600 patients on that day alone!

Written by Julian Huynh. Edited by Johnson. Photos were taken by David and Dr. Timothy Bui (as noted).

As a part of the triage team, Julian demonstrates the excellence and dedication of what M.E.M.O. stands for through his care for the patients. Photo taken by Dr. Timothy Bui.