Mary Luz is a nurse at the clinic, but she took over Edy's job as a hospice nurse. Mary Luz studied to become a nurse, but never completed her studies...but trust me she delivers care and much more.
We took a taxi from Calca to Pisac and stopped at a Boteca for supplies and a market for apples and pan for the families of her patient. We walked across the one lane ridge ...on my last visit to Peru this bridge was wash away by the river..the permanent one I'd still under construction ...4 years later...this helps put info-structure...in perspective . We then flagged down a Moto taxi...picture a three wheeled motor cycle with a plastic enclosure...putt putt putt...inhale lots of fumes...up to the village of Taray. We hopped out at the plaza de armas...and wandered down a few alleys until we reached the home of Mary Luz first patient. We ended the yard where there were cats, chickens running about..washing on a line an out door sink and bathroom. We enter a room one half dinning room one half bedroom.
The patient was diagnosed with breast cancer at a very late stage. Soon after the cancer metastasized to her spine. She developed a complete fracture of spine leaving her paralyzed from the waste down. She also had a very swollen abdomen which was very painful when she was turned...so the family was hesitant to turn her and no surprise...but she had developed two huge decubitus...thus this was the cause for most of our visit to clean & redress her wounds...and try to encourage the family to be liberal with pain medicine so she could tolerate turning...needless to say I did not make it through the visit without crying. It was a privilege to hold and be with this family, and to watch the compassion of Mary Luz she cares for the whole family. I can only hope and pray that this family does not suffer for long
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