“In order to say that some function is understood, every relevant step in the process must be elucidated.”
Michael Behe, 1952-
American biochemist, author, and advocate of the pseudoscientific principle of intelligent design. He serves as professor of biochemistry at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania and as a senior fellow of the Discovery Institute’s Center for Science and Culture.
Shining the light in a new way can elucidate sudden changes or exacerbations of pain for those to whom I offer care. I’ll try anything to help clarify issues for them because I care. It begins with my willingness to look at the problem as carefully as I can, and the looking includes listening. Like being able to rotate a 3D digital image, I want to get another angle on what’s going on.
My leadership style is one in which I see myself as a learner, not as someone who is always in the know. It might even include being humble enough to ask my patient what they think might be causing the change or increased discomfort. They can help me elucidate the problem.
It may mean that at times I will have to ask others to help me figure out a situation. Those voices inside of me that don’t want me to turn to others will have to be put on hold because my care for others is more significant than my pride.
Divine Elucidation, your light guides me with confidence to seek the truth with courage and humility. Never being afraid to do what I must do to find the right path for those I care for, illumine my darkness. Living in the light may I be refreshed to enter each day as a new springtime. AMEN.
ACTION: What are the first steps you take to get new insights into a problem? What methods do you use and who do you turn to first? Do something nice for your “go to” people this week.
Learn more about the above photo by Alex Jones below. Click the link on the photo above to see it in three dimensions.
Dr. Juan Pablo Palacios attending a patient.
Nursing Heart Friends,
In Guatemala Diabetes and Ischemic heart disease are amongst the highest causes of premature deaths, according to the WHO. A study by the university of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that more than 25 percent of Gautemala’s indigenous people, who make up 60 percent of the population, suffer from Type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes.
As you can see, both of these conditions, which sometimes go hand in hand, are prevalent here and at Nursing Heart Inc, we are trying to help reduce this prevalence. Monthly in Santa María de Jesús, we hold a Diabetes and Hypertensive club.
Each patient receives a medical consult, health education and all medications free of charge, provided by the organization. Our goal is to facilitate and provide care to the poorest of Guatemalans. Without this club, these patients would not otherwise have the financial means to seek regular medical check ups and almost all, cannot afford the cost of medication.
We currently have 40 patients enrolled and we proudly graduate patients who are managing to keep healthy Blood Sugar Levels and Blood Pressure readings.
If further tests or treatment are required, we provide financial support for the patients as well. If you would like todonate monthlyto support or diabetes program or make aone-off donationplease mention “Diabetes Club” on payment.
Best,
Jade Parker-Manderson xx Executive Director NHI/ACE
Quote of the Week
“The art of hospice nursing is elucidating the end of life journey.”
Patty Lafrentz, BSN, RN and friends! RN Case Manager, Home Health/Hospice Avera@Home | Benedictine Center Yankton, South Dakota
About the Photographer: Alex Jones
Do you want to see something exciting? Click on the link under the photo and see the rock formation in 3D. “Clarity” is the name of this series and these photos will be provided for viewing in three dimensions and will help us mark these reflections. Nursing Heart would like to thank Alex Jones for inviting us to the incredible virtual world that he is creating with his art and science.
Alex is currently working in collaboration with a professor at Rice University. He writes the following about the project:
“André W. Droxler, Ph.D., is a professor in the Department of Earth Science and the director of the Center for the Study of Environment and Society. His research has focused on studying the morphology of and the sediments accumulating on slopes and basin floors surrounding coral reefs and carbonate platforms.
“He and I are currently working on a project documenting microbial reefs and outcrops that are around 500 million years old on a private ranch in Mason, Texas. We are using a process called photogrammetry. It’s the of process where one takes dozens, hundreds or thousands of photos (depending on the size of what you are documenting) in a very specific manner at specific angles, and patterns and then, using special computer software, you can turn them into a 3D model which people can rotate and zoom in and out on their computers, phones and tablets, as well as using virtual reality and augmented reality to walk around said documented piece.”