Living on the Bayou

Hello friends! Here is a report on my first 10 days in Pierre Part! I’m excited to have this online journal up and running (thanks to Gary’s awesome work!) and hope that anyone who wants to share their Pierre Part experiences will contribute (especially when they are participating in their family medicine rotation!). Happy reading!

Driving into Pierre Part on May 31, 2009 was my first time into any community like this. It was like time passed a little bit slower under this piece of shimmery blue Louisiana sky, as I passed by the bridge under renovation, the elementary school proudly broadcasting its “Home of the Puppy Dogs,” and the town store, locally owned and operated since 1911 housing everything from food to hardware to outdoor furniture. I felt some of the stress and problems of my life melting away as I immersed myself into life in the bayou. I just felt more at home here than the big city; this was much more similar my small hometown in Indiana. As I drove through, people would wave and smile – no one was in a rush. They probably would not even lock their doors that night.

I meandered my way along Belle River to near the end of the road to meet Dr. Bell, waiting with a smile and embrace. I barely brought in my bags when we headed off to neighbors Ed and Pat Mayeaux who lived right along the river. We proceeded to join Dr. Larrison and some other neighborhood friends at a crawfish boil, from the traps a neighbor had brought in earlier that day! It was so hilarious for me to see Ed take the big bucket and spill it all over a picnic table, and for people to line up along both sides and start devouring the little critters. After eating one, what do you do with the rest of it? Just throw it right behind you over your shoulder into the river, of course!! The fish and turtles will take care of the rest.

Speaking of animals, I feel like I live in a nature reserve here in Pierre Part. So far I’ve seen so many types of birds (including beautiful egrets and bald eagles!), an armadillo, rabbits, horses, lizards, frogs, and I think a nutria (giant swamp rat!). I am still on the look out for a gator! I’ve been treated to a plethora of delicious seafood and if you like crawfish, shrimp, crab, trout, and catfish, this is the place for you! Caught fresh right from the bayou! It has really struck me how connected people are to the land here, many gardening and enjoying fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, and a bounty of other fruits and veggies.

Although Pierre Part seems pretty small, in actuality it has between a 6,000-8,000 population, with people scattered all around different bayous. Families live near each other all along one street (and usually the street is named after someone in their family!). It is very family-oriented and you will find some names (Mabile, Landry, Breaux, Blanchard, etc) to be very, very common (and be on the majority of charts in the office)! A beautiful thing about the deep family values that penetrate the community is that individuals really take care of one another. For example, people hardly ever send their elderly relatives to nursing homes – they prefer to take care of them, really respecting the aging of the community. This feature among many others has brought much joy to my heart, as the spirit of ageism that I see much too often discourages me so.

The people of Pierre Part have a strong, proud Acadian heritage, seen in the foods they eat and the language they speak – Cajun French! I am so fascinated by the beautiful accents, the little expressions, and especially hearing them speak French! (I’m trying to teach myself a bit, but it is slow-going with my schedule!) The predominant religion of the people here is Roman Catholic and many are strongly connected to the active St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church in the town. People on the whole I have encountered have had such pleasant and open demeanors, ready and willing to share their culture and stories with me. And I love after only being here a few days that I’m recognizing people around town from the clinic and in the clinic from around town! It is really wonderful to be able to live among the community that I am able to serve, truly immersing myself here.

As far as JumpStart activities, meetings have been in abundance. I met with Linda Cooke and Jeanne Gros, Pierre Part residents very involved and passionate with this project. Linda is the actual coordinator here and is also the newspaper reporter, making her very aware of all that is going on in the community! I also have had many meetings with Dr. Bell (an easy job to coordinate, as I’m living with her!). One evening, we spent near 3 hours going through old JumpStart materials we had both acquired and set to work on prioritizing goals. I had a similar meeting just with Linda to relay the information. I sent it all out to the other students on the team – boy, is there a lot to relay! There are so many good things in the works for JumpStart! I am so thankful that so many people are passionate about working on this! Between visiting the grocery, a nutrition seminar, and meeting with the fitness committee, I sure am staying busy. I am very thankful for this opportunity to orient myself and understand this project from the inside-out. I am so thankful to be able to serve as coordinator for such a worthy project.

A lot of my days are spent working with Dr. Bell, Dr. Larrison and the rest of the staff at the clinic. I have been learning and seeing and doing so much these past few days and totally feel like a sponge. I think I knew the spectrum that fell under the umbrella of Family Medicine, but I do not feel I fully understood all that a family doc can do! It has been so fun seeing such an array of patients and problems, seeing people aged 1-90 and all in-between! I love taking histories and talking with patients. And Dr. Bell has been so patient, giving me practice with the physical exam. The doctors perform many procedures as well and I have been able to assist Dr. Bell with things ranging from cyst removals, to draining boils, to cleaning wounds. She is going to get me started on suturing soon and I’m excited for that! I also especially love seeing patients during their follow-up visits, being able to chart their progress over a longitudinal time span. It truly is a joy to be able to learn in this way!

There is just such beauty here and I have fallen in love with the area. I love the slower pace and do not even mind being without cell phone service, as I have found a break like this is just what I needed. Here in Pierre Part, I am able to take a deep breath and enjoy the moment, not rushing to anywhere or anything. I am able to enjoy the shade from the sprawling live oaks heavy-laden with Spanish moss. I am able to enjoy the breeze and watch the setting of the sun over the lovely Belle River, which I have done most every night. Little did I know how much my spirit needed Pierre Part!

More later, friends!

Signing off from Pierre Part,
Natalie