NAYARIT NEWS

Colorful Wild Winter Mexico Style

Tara A. Spears

Ay ay ay, it’s winter but it’s colorful south of the border!  The best way to beat the winter doldrums is to come wiggle your toes in the sand and appreciate the vibrant plants and exotic animals that decorate the tropical landscape. The weather is perfect for daytime activities and cooler at night for restful sleep without a pile of blankets.

I haven’t had the need for wool hats, gloves or a heavy coat for the more than 23 years but I do have a closet full of flip flops, sundresses, and swimsuits.  Living in Mexico enables me to enjoy the present fully while soothing the soul. I put snowmen behind me and love building sandcastles instead. Plus, the winter sunsets are spectacular!

My favorite things about January and February are the vibrant blooming flowers, the beautiful hummingbirds, exotic iguanas and the gorgeous sunsets over the ocean. The most conspicuous plants at this time are the many colors of bougainvillea, the magnificent orange Brazilian flame, and all types of roses. The sexy gardenias are also blooming now. All of the flowers mentioned, love the cooler nights. All of these winter bloomers feed hummingbirds.

I had not seen the Brazilian Flame until moving to Mexico. The Brazilian flame vine is a fast-growing, evergreen vine with glossy green leaves and orange flowers. The flowers are trumpet-shaped and bloom (in Jaltemba Bay) from January to March.  These brilliant orange tubular flowers attract hummingbirds. Roses thrive with blooms and the bougainvillea blossoms sparkle in the sun.

It is such a joy to see this tiny jewel of a bird all year round! One doesn’t need to place a feeder to enjoy seeing these enchanting birds. In addition to the seasonal migration of numerous hummer species, there are several resident hummingbird species in coastal Mexico. The hummingbirds have different names depending on the region in Mexico, including Colibri and quindes in Spanish. The following hummingbird species are found in coastal Nayarit, Mexico. In fact, these are the ones that I’ve seen in my home garden. All descriptions are quoted from inaturalist.

The rufous hummingbird is a small, feisty bird with a long, straight and very slender bill that migrates to Mexico from far north. It’s known to chase off larger hummingbirds. It’s a small hummingbird whose migration to Mexico is possibly the longest migration relative to its body size of any bird.  The descriptions are quoted from inaturalist.

The Mexican Woodnymph is a species of hummingbird in the Trochilidae family and is endemic to western Mexico. Its habitats include subtropical or tropical moist lowland/foothill forests and plantations. It is threatened by habitat loss.

The Lucifer Hummingbird, Calothorax lucifer is a medium-sized, up to 10cm long, green hummingbird with long decurved bill, small wings and white streak behind eye. The male has an iridescent plumage, forked dark tail, green crown, long magenta gorget and white underparts. The female is larger than male with duller plumage, pale throat and buff below.

There are several ubiquitous seabirds that live along the coast in Jaltemba Bay. Most people are familiar with the brown pelicans and sandpipers but the unique Frigate bird might be new to them. This massive seabird of warm tropical oceans and coastlines is overall black with extremely long, deeply forked tail and angular wings. The male is completely black with an inflatable red pouch on throat when ready to mate. In strong light, the black coloration can show a purplish sheen. The adult female has white chest and golden bar on shoulder. Young birds have white head and breast. This bird often soars for long periods and flies with slow wingbeats. Steals food from other seabirds. Surprisingly acrobatic during aerial chases despite its large size which makes it great entertainment for those lazy days at the beach.

You can’t miss seeing these unique dinosaur-like lizards while staying in Mexico. The iguanas are prolific breeders and adapt to coexisting with humans.  Iguanas are herbivorous lizards that are native to tropical areas of Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. They have dorsal spines across their back, a dewlap on the neck, sharp claws, a long whip-like tail, and a stocky, squat build. Most iguanas are arboreal and live in trees, but some species tend to be more terrestrial and prefer the ground. Like all reptiles, they rely on regular periods of basking under the sun to thermoregulate which is why it’s easy to snap a cool picture.

In this part of western Mexico, there are two types of iguanas: the Black iguanas: the larger members of the genus Ctenosaura, capable of growing to 1.3 m (4.3 feet) long. They are aggressive and will attack to protect their range. Be aware that the Black Western iguana is toxic to dogs so if your pet catches one, immediately rinse out the dog’s mouth and take him to a vet.

The Western spiny-tailed iguana has distinctive keeled scales on its long tail, to which its common name refers. It is usually brown or grey-brown in coloration dorsally, with a yellowish ventral surface. It has a crest of long spines which extend down the center of its back. Hatchlings are often a bright green color with no body pattern, and darken as they age. This lizard often (but not always) has an irregular piebald pattern on the head or dorsal areas. Although the tail may be banded with light and dark crossbands, it typically lacks a clear or well-developed crossband pattern on the body. The Western spiny-tailed lizard varies from gray to brownish-black, with some males exhibiting yellowish colors, and females exhibit an orange color, on the lateral sides of the body.  The young are bright green and unmarked except for black tail bands, present also on adults.

Green iguanas are large beautiful looking lizards found in the Americas. Despite their name, Green iguanas can come in different colors and types. Their color may range from green to lavender, red, orange, black, and even reddish brown. They can also be bluish in color with bold blue markings. Green iguanas have a row of spines along their backs and along their tails, which helps to protect them from predators. Their whip-like tails can be used to deliver painful strikes and like many other lizards, when grabbed by the tail, the iguana can allow it to break, so it can escape and eventually regenerate a new one. In addition, iguanas have a well-developed dewlap, which helps regulate their body temperature. This dewlap is used in courtships and territorial displays.

Enjoy the wild life in coastal Mexico during the winter, it is truly paradise!

 

Farewell: Final Cancer de Mama Clinic 2025

Tara A. Spears

This is the place where the story stops. It is with a heavy heart that the Executive Committee made the decision to not continue offering clinics. While the public understands the reasons for change- aging volunteers, difficulty transporting prosthesis internationally- it still be difficult to accept that such a vital cause will cease.

The need of the Mexican breast cancer survivors continues and that hurts the dedicated volunteers that worked throughout the year to gather items and prepare for the annual three-day clinic.

Each clinic is a powerful experience for both the volunteer and the patients, with tears and hugs, yet a spirit of hope prevailing. I met so many wonderful ladies, and learned so much that volunteering at the clinic was something that I looked forward to all year.

Each woman takes away more than a boob; we empowered each other to carry the load.  “she’s not heavy she’s my sister.” After the final event, the Executive Committee will share the impressive statistics of how many women benefited during the 29 years of operation.

The breast prostheses project originated in 1996 by Jackie Jackson, from Enderby, B.C. and the cause was adopted by the La Penita RV Park residents in 2008.  Women at the RV park and throughout Jaltemba Bay are committed to providing this much needed service. In addition to donations from Canadian and American medical companies, particularly the wonderful ladies from Nightingale Medical Supplies in Vernon, B.C. who are certified post-mastectomy fitters, travel here to help. Sadly, it has become increasingly complex to move the donated prothesis and mastectomy bras internationally.           

 The dozens of compassionate volunteers in cheerful pink share smiles and hugs with the hundreds of women from throughout Nayarit. Many of the women traveled for hours by bus to receive assistance at the annual breast cancer clinic. Each woman attending receives a reusable shopping bag in which to put her new prosthetic bra, each woman is given a gel prosthesis and knit ‘tit bit’, a head covering, a snack, and a chance to visit the salon for a facial and or wig. There used to be a ‘store’ she can purchase additional bras and other donated clothing items-until Covid safe practices began.

During the years that the clinic was held at the RV Park, the facilities were transformed into a clinic with eight private exam cubicles that are attractively decorated to ease the women’s anxiety. One of the clinic goals is to help the women participants feel respected, comfortable, and feminine. The Cancer de Mama Clinic developed a high level of trust and acceptance that transcends the language barrier.

“It’s a two-way street now,” observed a volunteer. “Before, they (the women clients) were shy and uncertain. Now they kid around and reach out to us just like real sisters do!” What is a truly horrible physical illness has united women of all shapes, ages, color and background- with all of us better people for the experience. We are a sisterhood!

In 2017, the clinic added treatment for the women affected by secondary lymphedema. Approximately 40% of the Mexican ladies seen last year were suffering from lymphedema, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe. Coordinated by Carole Maze, she and a team of trained volunteers fit the ladies with appropriate compression and wraps

This grassroots effort is solely funded by donations and without any paid staff. The astonishing transformation of the senior center into an attractive, organized clinic for three days requires the cooperation and year-round efforts of many people. Even more amazing is that the majority of the clinic volunteers do not live in Mexico, but visit seasonally.

The medical prostheses are hauled from Canada and the US by RVs, as are the majority of other supplies used at the clinic. Many local merchants donate food items that become the meal for the clients and volunteers. Other concerned people volunteer time to sort, organize, and prepare for the clinic. The Cancer de Mama department chairs have great organizational talent besides their tremendous heart. Thank you all for what you do!

For many women in Nayarit, just surviving the breast removal surgery is not enough, there is still a huge uphill battle for regaining self-esteem and feeling like a woman again. Statistics from the Mexican National Institute of Salud Publica indicate that breast cancer mortality in Nayarit has exceeded the national average for more than 10 years.

There is a lack of after surgery care proved by the government for the lower socioeconomic individuals without health insurance, which is approximately 60% of the Nayarit population. The Cancer de Mama Clinic addresses this real need by providing free medical prosthesis, tidbits, and special bras to women breast cancer.

There is no one type of patient. Many of the women need emotional support and validation that she is still feminine after a mastectomy; other patients are further along the journey and can be emotional support for others” Clearly the women travel to the clinic for so much more than just a boob!

For many of the Mexican ladies it is a chance for a wellness day where she receives both physical and emotional support.  Typically, the survivors range in age from their early 20s to 70s- although one year I volunteered the youngest was 15, another year the oldest mid 80s. The ladies come for supplies, comfort, and companionship as they struggle though their emotional journey to be brave, strong women that are breast cancer survivors.

One comment that has stayed with me is from a patient in 2008 (the first year that I volunteered): “I came as a stranger but I leave as a friend.”  It sums up the interaction of both volunteer and patients. The Cancer de Mama Clinic isn’t simply about things, it is an opportunity for cancer survivors to feel good about themselves because they look good.

To all of the hundreds of caring volunteers that make, donate, organize so many bras, beanie bags tidbits, scarves, hats, wigs, hand sewn reusable bags, with little toiletry gifts to treat the ladies of Nayarit, you are giving positive energy to each woman. Your support of CdM by volunteering has touched hundreds of lives of Mexican breast cancer survivors each year.

It’s no surprise that so many Mexican women look past the pain of cancer to look forward to a day of wellness and emotional support. There are so many wonderful, positive memories from each clinic.

Thank you to the members of the Committee for your dedication, thank you to all the volunteers, thank you to all the women survivors. I will miss all of you!