Días 20 y 21

I'm sorry I haven't been writing as much lately, I've just been having trouble finding what to say.

My first few weeks here were super exciting and we learned so many new things, but lately it just hasn't been the same. We have moved on to a new department - oncología (oncology) - but it's not what I expected I guess. I had hoped that we would be able to see more cases and patients, but the cancer wing here is rather small. On top of that, they don't have the money for expensive treatments nor do they have a large knowledge base about different types of cancer. When they see a case they've never seen before, they have to consult doctors and hospitals in the United States, and as you can imagine, that takes a lot of time and money. These past few days, we've been learning the basics of cancer - where it comes from, how it starts, why it spreads to quickly, etc. Tomorrow, we'll be learning in-depth about leukemia (which is very common in children). We have to do some research before tomorrow, so that we know the basics, but I'm very excited to hear about the most common cases here in the DR and how they treat them with such limited funds.

Being in the hospital every day, and seeing how little so many people have, makes me want to give all of my time and money to them. I've even been considering coming back and living here for a few months after I graduate. I really do love it here, but more than that, I want to do anything I can to help these people. Whether it's just coming to the hospital and playing with the children, or coming back 15 years from now and opening up my own clinic. It's going to be very hard for me to go home. It's difficult seeing so many rich people who do absolutely nothing with their money - except blow it all on themselves. There are families in this country who won't eat for days or weeks at a time, just to save money so they can afford transportation to the hospital. I feel even more guilty when I don't finish a meal here - I wish I could save it all and give it to those less fortunate.

I know that I am blessed to live in a country like America, and every day I thank God for all of my blessings. But, I'm even more blessed to be here, right now, in this country. There is so much on my mind and in my heart, but I've just been at a loss for words. I don't know how much I'll have to say these next few days, but I'll do my best to put all of these feelings into writing - and writing that will make sense to all of you. I just ask that you continue to pray for those less fortunate than you, and I pray that all of you will be fortunate enough to stumble upon an opportunity in which you can make a lasting impact on someone else's life. Dios de bendiga.