Set up clinic in a school yesterday—there were hundreds lined up when we arrived—gave out lots of anti-parasite medication, as the malnourishment is overwhelming. We have a pediatric surgeon and podiatrist, a dental team that has already pulled hundreds of teeth—and we have 2 more docs coming today—what we need is a dermatologist. . . .

I'm running the OBGYN clinic. Saw about 20 patients—lots of pregnant teens, half a dozen healthy women with normal pregnancies, one gal who looked as if she had some kind of hepatitis, a woman with a pelvic mass (with no money for referral), many worried well who just wanted TLC. Let's see what today brings.

It's invigorating to be in this world, for it sure expands mine.

Adios for now,

Sam

And then she read another, “Peru Update,” written nearly two weeks ago—almost immediately after the reminder e-mail Jessica's mother had sent, telling Aunt Sam that the Ceili Festival was fast approaching, that she really hoped they could reunite onstage and let their music soften each other's heart.

Hola,

It's 7:30 a.m., I'm gearing up for another day in the jungle slums—We had an incredible day yesterday in our clinic—a school amidst shacks on stilts. Though this group has always had great experiences in this area—there was a little too much action yesterday . . . a stabbing and robbery by 8:30—we had to triage the stabbing—that was a first. So now we get police escorts everywhere.

I have 2 awesome med students as my translators—and we must have seen 40 people yesterday. Many worried well who needed TLC and vitamins and parasite meds. Some hypertension, lots of cataracts, lots of dermatology issues, 2 women with severe rheumatoid arthritis, every woman has back pain and headache. That is understandable, as many of them have birthed 6–10 babies at home alone, work in a market every day, and have nothing . . . These women are amazing— One woman yesterday had 7 kids—6 of whom have died related to accidents and infections . . . also saw many relatively healthy pregnant women—though they are 14–17 year olds—2 high risk, history of toxemia and were delivered at 27 weeks . . . women seem to go through menopause in their early 40´s—with money these women can get good care . . . we have a great team, the pod guys have repaired club feet, the dentists have pulled hundreds of teeth, and peds surg have had many cases . . .

Anyway, my team is leaving now so I must run—we head up the river to work in a few small villages tomorrow. And then I'm heading home . . .

Life is good, more later,

Sam

Heading home, her aunt had written. What did that mean? Jessica read the e-mails over and over, looking for clues. Could her aunt really just return home to Baltimore without coming here to the ceili? Here to see her family? Jessica couldn't believe that was possible. Not the aunt she loved . . .