Back home in the land of plenty

Our last day was spent visiting orphanages in Port au Prince, the pics speak for themselves. Returned home safe and sound and healthy. The hardest part was when our plane took off from Port au Prince airport. Why am I so privileged to be escorted through the crowds and allowed to board a plane and fly to this country leaving so many on the ground who will continue to suffer with no end in sight. Sat next to a doc from Mexico City, he felt exactly the same way. He said living conditions are so much better in Mexico City that he feels the need to travel to Haiti to help when he can.
Thanks for taking the time to read my blog and share my experiences.

Half way through the second week. So much to share it is hard to know where to start. My latest assignment is at the clinic here at Healing Hands. Our original clinic is now a pile of rubble next to where they have erected a huge tent in the middle of a field. People start lining up early in the day, when the benches are taken they stand and wait patiently. We have a small group of docs, nurses and therapists. Most of the patients were injured in the quake but are ambulatory and able to come to us. We dispense crutches, walkers, meds for infection and the highest blood pressures I have ever seen, dress wounds and wrap stumps and make braces and splints from whatever crude materials we can get our hands on.
We have had to sharpen our assessment skills, all the information you have to use is what the patient tells you through the aid of a translator, the wounds and trauma that are visible..no xrays, labs or medical history. The orthopedic trauma is just part of it.. so many have nerve damage from being pinned in rubble for a long period of time. But yet it is amazing what we have been able to accomplish and how many leave with big smiles, ages from 6 months to 80 years. I must have 300 pics and will post the best as soon I have access to my own computer. I have enough bug bites and have eaten enough rice and beans and a few MREs to last me quite a while. But we do have beer and rum and lots of sharing of good stories at the end of the day. I have been blessed to make some friendships with fellow workers that will last a lifetime, and have met some of the most amazing courageous Haitians I will never forget.