By Sheila McShane, RN, Director
Clinica Maxeña

Ed.: These two stories chronicle the interaction between the Clinica Maxeña staff and those they serve, both at the beginning and end of their patients’ temporal lives.

Emiliana Mas Sac

Emiliana celebrated her first birthday in the Clinica Maxeña. She arrived almost two weeks ago, clinging to life by a thread. Her father tearfully entrusted her to us. He was accompanied by his 8-year-old daughter, Catalina.

Emiliana was suffering from severe dehydration, malnourishment and diarrhea from parasites. She was so weak she could not cry or lift her head. Her body was flaccid and her weight 14 pounds. The first week we were not sure she would survive but gradually she responded to treatment. Each day we have a little more hope.

Her mom was home still recuperating from a surgery three months ago. We had little details of her illness but it definitely has contributed to Emiliana’s illness as the baby had barely eaten any solid food for five days and her mom had no maternal milk. Her 8-year-old sister, Catalina, was left in charge of Emiliana’s care.

We told the father to bring his wife to the clinic for consult. He agreed to do so and he said she was also scheduled to have a check up on her surgery on Aug. 31. Her surgery was performed in a Methodist clinic during a surgical brigade from the U.S. in a town three hours away.

We planned to follow up to know more details and how we could help with the mother’s recovery. It is impossible to send infants in critical condition to the National Hospital as families do not want to be separated and permission to be at the bedside is rarely permitted. The maternal grandmother is tending to the other children. The father earns about $3 a day in the fields, when he is able to find work.

Emiliana’s life is complicated. She is the youngest of five children from a Mayan Indian village. Her parents are extremely impoverished. They do not own any land except the small area where their home is constructed. Their home is typical with metal roofing, dirt floor and just one room. The fire for cooking is centered on the dirt floor of the home, contaminating the living space with smoke much of the day.

For a few weeks the father felt so overwhelmed and desperate that he could not help his ailing child that he gave the child up to a neighbor. Catalina was so sad she convinced her dad to bring her back home which he did.

As I write this article the saga continues. When Santos, the father, brought his wife Isabela to her post-op check up to Chichicastenango, three hours away by bus, he was informed that his wife needed an emergency surgery. He called us in the Clinica Maxeña to ask if we could continue to care for Emiliana and he would return in a few days. He had also left Catalina with us and we hired an auxiliary nurse to care for the infant. Because the Clinic was in the midst of a surgical eye brigade I brought Emiliana and Catalina down to occupy the television room adjacent to my bedroom with Maria, their auxiliary nurse. Our clinic space was expanding to meet the need.

Emiliana’s recovery is slow with respiratory complications and severe malnourishment. Our doctor, Ever, is checking the baby daily and we are supplementing the medicine with nebulizer for respiratory treatments and special nutrition. The Catholic community of Tzucubal could not contribute financially to the family’s need but they are accompanying them in prayer. We reach out to family and friends in these situations to help the Clinica Maxeña respond to the health needs of the most vulnerable. THANK YOU for your response.

Cruz Poz

Cruz Poz, 91 years old, homeless, quietly stepped into the Glory of God this morning after two weeks of acute illness. Cruz was ready to go HOME to be with his God and his dear wife who went before him.

He arrived in the Clinica Maxeña 15 days ago, after being evicted from a small shed-like shelter he had been living in a neighborhood of Santo Tomas La Union. He had no family other than a few dogs that he always had at his side. He was unable to get up from the floor when Sister Ana and a clinic worker went to rescue him that day. He refused most attempts to nourish him and medicate him for comfort while at the clinic.

A few friends would drop by and bring him some juice or a piece of bread. He was content under the wool blanket we had given him. As a last wish before he died he requested a drink of aguardiente, which is hard liquor. It is cultural to comply with these wishes, so we did last evening. He said it was good medicine.

The clinic had hired an auxiliary nurse to tend to his daily needs and at night the clinic janitors watched him and gave him liquids when he requested and changed his bed clothes when needed.

Cruz has always been a frequent visitor to the mission grounds. He was part of Sister Ana’s program for the elderly. He would come, stooped almost to 90 degrees, with one or two dogs at his side, always with a rope as a leash. After getting his weekly subsidy from Sister Ana he would slowly descend down the stairs to the clinic kitchen for a cup of coffee, some tortillas and a bit of beans.

He has always been a favourite at the clinic. Last year at the Christmas Party for the elderly, which he truly enjoyed, he received one of the prizes in addition to his present. He descended down the steps of the stage with help and walked over and sat down with his dog. He quietly removed the Christmas paper from his prize. It was a package of marshmallows. He quickly offered one to his dog. That act of love for his dog was captured in a photo that hangs on the entrance of the Clinica Maxeña.

One of the clinic janitors donated a casket the family had purchased for a grandfather who continues to live. Tonight he will be waked in the community where he and his wife once lived. He will be well accompanied by friends, clinic personnel and parish members. Tomorrow he will be laid to rest with his wife in the local cemetery.

Thank you, Cruz, for allowing us to participate in your life. You have been an inspiration to all of us of the Parish of Santo Tomas el Apostol and the Clinica Maxeña.

Donations for the diocesan Guatemala Mission clinic may be sent to:

For more information about the mission or clinic, call the Pastoral Services office at 406-442-5820 or 1-800-584-8914 (in Montana).


Published in The Montana Catholic, Vol. 24, No. 9, September 19, 2008.