Our friend Lola is a 30-year-old Tz’utujil Maya woman who lives in Santiago Atitlán. She has been active since 2016 in Clinica Maya China, a nonprofit health organization founded in 1996, where she is an acupuncturist who treats elderly people and people with diabetes for free and serves as secretary of the board. She also has a growing massage therapy practice and continues to expand her skills by taking massage, Shiatsu and nutrition courses. For the last two years she has also worked for Jim as housekeeper, gardener, cook and scholarship fund administrator. Lola has helped him so much with his health that, after consulting with his doctors, he was able to discontinue his medications.

Lola lives in very humble circumstances. She is the main breadwinner in her household of 10 family members. She put herself through school (which in Guatemala is “free” only through 6th grade–however, not really free since the family must pay for books, school supplies, and gym clothes). At age 15, without any family financial help, Lola put herself through high school, which meant crossing Lake Atitlan in a crowded boat every day, while holding down various jobs to pay her tuition and travel expenses. In the 15 years since, she has always held down a job, no matter how humble, in a town where the average pay is about $1/hour.

Lola is inspiring to all who know her. She is community-minded and puts a lot of energy and thoughtfulness into the volunteer work she does with Clinica Maya China. We see something very special in her. As Tomomi wrote to Lola, “Remember what I told you, the reason I want to help you is because I sincerely believe that Guatemala needs you as much as the future needs a person like you. I have traveled the world looking for people who are seeds of hope for the future. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to find. I can judge and feel the bright old soul, which is you. Remember, you are very special, you may not realize it, but I'm telling you, so believe me. When you feel better and are without pain, you will shine in the whole community with your blossoming happiness. Your happiness will help your family, then your community, then the entire Atitlán region, then you will attract other good souls to join you… moving the world towards the peaceful direction. So be strong and smile. The love of the world is with you.”

Lola had surgery for a thyroid goiter early in March. We are currently awaiting final pathology results. This surgery and associated lab work has cost Q4,000 ($535), which was covered by a donation from Tomomi.

Lola has been suffering from pain due to uterine fibroids. On March 30 we went to Xela to consult an endocrinologist and a gynecologist, and to have an ultrasound of her uterus done. She has several large fibroids. Lola really wants the opportunity to have children in the future, so having a myomectomy to remove the fibroids and not her uterus is much preferable to having a hysterectomy. The gynecologist has 30 years of experience, and we believe him when he says he will do everything possible to save her uterus, with the warning that if she has uncontrollable bleeding, he will have to do a hysterectomy. He said the surgery would be abdominal rather than laparoscopic, since the fibroids are numerous and large, and there is a better chance of controlling the bleeding in an open surgery. We returned on April 3 for pre-surgical testing, including lab work, an X-ray of her thorax, and a cardiology exam. The surgery has been scheduled for Monday April 10. Lola will be inpatient for two nights at the San Mateo Hospital in Xela. Her recuperation time is expected to be about six to eight weeks, including a week spent mostly in bed, to allow her to heal properly so she can minimize the chance of having painful adhesions.

The expenses for the two trips to Xela for doctors’ appointments, labs, and scans, including transportation via private van were about Q5,000 ($665). The surgery and inpatient stay will cost Q12,000 ($1,600) plus two transportation trips Q1,900 ($250), and a hotel room and meals for Lola’s sister. Eliza will cover the cost of her own hotel room and meals. Eliza will be accompanying Lola as her friend and advocate, and will be with her during the day in the hospital. Lola’s sister will be with her at night. In Guatemalan hospitals, a family member is often required to accompany the patient to provide care during the hospital stay. The first (and perhaps only needed) follow-up visit to the gynecologist, including transportation, will likely cost $200, or more if tests are required. There will also be at least one follow-up visit with the endocrinologist in Xela, which will cost about $350 including a scan and labs.

Thus we are hoping to raise $4,500, which would include Lola’s lost income during the past two months as well as the coming two months of recovery when she won’t be able to do massage, as well as incidental expenses and medicine.

Update: Our posting is a bit late due to problems signing into GoFundMe, now solved!

On April 10, Lola had surgery to remove the fibroids, and the doctor was successful in saving her uterus! She spent two nights inpatient at the Sanitorio San Mateo in Xela, where her medical care was excellent. She is now recuperating at home, feeling better little by little.

Thank you so much!!!

Jim Britt, Tomomi Tanaka and Eliza Strode