YES, THEY DO.
One of the fun parts of my calling, is that I get to be mother and therefore nurse to these great young adults.
Each mission is assigned an AMA, which is an Area Medical Authority. This is a "real" doctor called on a mission as a doctor over 15 or so missions. The one over us currently is located in Ohio and he and his wife are wonderful. They are Vaughn and Renee Mikesell. Very kind and always willing to help 24/7. But with about 2000 missionaries assigned to them, missionaries must first call the mission mom who is gate keeper and boo-boo mender, medicine cabinet, medical encyclopedia (thank heavens for google), a good listener.
With 175 missionaries in this mission, we have about 2-10% or 8-17 sick each week. (That is my estimate). Just this week calls have included, but not been limited to:
7 calls for respiratory infections. Interesting when you have not had to purchase medicines for these ailments before it can be confusing and daunting. Some suggestions on how to care for themselves, what to purchase, and a few kind words usually does the trick. (We have a lot of this going around)
1 chipped top tooth and moved bottom tooth (p-day activities)-sent to Dentist
1 trip to Quick Care for 11 stitches above the eyebrow from falling when ice skating on p-day.
(Note to parents; P-day is the usual day for accidents and cuts, brusies, broken bones, twisted ankles, etc.)
1 car wreck. 2 missionaries were hit by a woman who went thru a stop sign and t-boned them.
Resulting in 1 case of really bad whip lash for a missionary already seeing a back Dr. and another with headaches. Thankfully no one was seriously hurt. (I am not making light of the whiplash, I know it can be very debilitating)
1 case of bunions on the sides of the foot. tried 2 weeks of pads, sent to podiatrist.
1 ingrown toenail..Ouch!! Podiatrist
3 cases of 24-48 hour flu. Advice and hugs.
Ulcer flareup. Call Dr. order RX.
Sent one sister home for a surgery, she will be back in about 6 weeks. We hope.
1 elder to Dr for a lump on stomach, will be removed on 21st.
Apt made for Elder to see if he may have a hernia
Allergies acting up
Coughing alot
Migraines
Bladder infection? Get it checked
Insomnia
High Blood Pressure
Feeling Depressed
And other assorted ailments.
I guess that is about 27 calls this week. And some of them take mulitple calls to the missionary. Then to Mission Medical, then locating the right dr or facility.
I have found that most of them just need some Mother's advice and reassurance and a mental hug thru the phone. They are all so wonderful and I want you to know we try to make sure they are all cared for and get all the medical care they need.
The church has an incredible Medical department within the missionary department. There are the sweetest group of nurses and doctors working there who I talk a number of times almost every day. They have a large web-site for me to use and a large network of Doctors our missionaries can visit. It is a wonderful and very efficient department -Just like everything the church does. It is TOP NOTCH.
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