Time to use your noodle!

Hello again friends after another few weeks on the beautiful bayou!

Life continues to roll smoothly along here as I'm learning a lot and enjoying all the people I'm getting to know. We've maintained a steady stream of patients at the clinic as it prepares to become part of Teche Action, a Federally Qualified Health Center. This transition will enable Drs. Bell and Larrison to be able to serve the uninsured right in Pierre Part.

This will be wonderful for the community, as many people have had to travel quite long distances for basic health care. This is something Dr. Bell has been working on for 5 years and is an exciting achievement for Pierre Part. It is quite a learning experience just to see all that goes into a transition like this. I'm also getting more comfortable with taking histories, doing nutrition counseling, and assisting in procedures and the physical exam. Its really a blessing to have this experience to hone in on my skills!

Outside of the clinic I have been enjoying events in the community. Dr. Bell and Dr. Larrison's staff have been so gracious and generous with making the most of my experience here. With Frannie, the clinic LPN, I tried crawfish etouffee, seafood jambalaya, and meat pie for the first time. Yum! I've enjoyed meeting her husband Lonnie, the parish police chief, and he and my dad have exchanged police gear - patches, hats, etc. which has been fun. Frannie has also taken me on a tour of the parish. It is amazing how she seems to know everyone and essentially be related to everyone around town. On the tour we visited some beautiful churches, a plantation home where her daughter will have her wedding reception, and visited her parents. I really feel thankful to get a lay of the parish and surrounding lakes and bayous. It truly is beautiful country!

With Sherry, the clinic bookkeeper, I've enjoyed having lovely conversations about spirituality, books we have read, and our favorite prayers. I went with her to St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church in town one evening. Janelle, the IT/front desk office extraordinaire invited me to join her and her husband Darryl down in Morgan City (a town about 30 minutes south) last Thursday night for their "Golden Angels" widows ministry. It was so wonderful to spend an evening with them and the ladies, enjoying a delicious dinner and prayer time. What a beautiful way to serve! Since Janelle and Darryl have moved closer to Pierre Part, they would like to get a widows ministry going here too, and Dr. Bell is brainstorming how JumpStart can somehow be involved. We'll see! I can assure you, only the sky is the limit with Dr. Bell on board! :)

If you visit the clinic, you will also be able to meet the always full of fun Eva, who works at the front desk. I nicknamed her the office "drama queen," and she always brings a laugh to my day. She is very passionate and is a super grandmother! There is also Bonnie, who started at the clinic the same week I did. She is helping at the front desk and with filing, is super sweet, and is a distinguished local artist! Joining her is Gaytes, a recent high school grad who will be starting college in the fall going into nursing. Rounding out the team is Stacie, who assists Dr. Larrison with bringing patients back and such. The staff makes each day so enjoyable!!

Has anyone ever heard of "noodling?" Dr. Larrison showed me a newspaper article last week about this, and ever since, it has left me quite fascinated. Evidently, it is a way to catch catfish! You find a catfish den in the water and then stick your arm down into it (i.e. bait!!!!!). When the catfish encloses its mouth around your hand (i.e., it bites you!!!) you bring your arm up and there you go! Dinner! I asked countless patients about this "sport" at the clinic last week and although many had never heard of such a thing, others would smile and say how fun it was! I asked how much it hurt, and this one guy said that it would sometimes draw blood, but that it was totally worth it!!! (Yet, you must note that this was the same guy who said when he would go "froggin," where you snatch frogs out of the water with your bare hands, he would sometimes on purpose snatch a gator instead and throw it back onto the boat! Just for kicks! To scare his buddies!!)

Alright, well although I don't plan on any noodling this week, I do plan on learning and experiencing more fun! Its crazy to think it is my last week here!!!

Hugs from the bayou! :)
Natalie