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.

End of week 1

Just finished the sixth day working at the UN compound...
Best moment... the docs read our notes regarding assessment of the patients condition as they are too busy to thoroughly reassess things like neuro status.. one young partial spinal cord (showing signs of returning function in his legs) worked so hard with me, never complained and had the most amazing attitude, but he had a serious infection in his wound. I carefully documented his tremendous progress and potential and daily improving neuro status, and on day five 6 air force medics in full gear come marching into the tent carrying a stretcher... "Stimphat is going to America!" and they whisked him away for proper treatment in the states. At least for now he has a break from hell and has a real chance...would like to think I had something to do with that. That was one of the few times I cried as they carried him away and he was waving to me the whole time. Can't wait to post pics
Worst moment...
The sadness of having a paraplegic come to us for medical threatment, he has been a para for 5 years but never received a wheeelchair or any rehab. He has crawled on his belly for 5 years, tremendous skin breakdown on the front of his body. To live in squalor and lack even basic mobility is the ultimate cruelty. That is what this organization is all about.
Most of us here have gone through the cipro and immodium treatments and now feel really good and ready for week 2! Only 2 on IVs and I wasn't one of them! Woo hoo! Mind over matter...

Food for thought... the 358 richest people in the world have the same collective wealth as the 2.5 billion poorest...

Also, the annual gov't budget here for 9 million people is the same annual budget for a city of 100,000 in Massachusetts....

Check out the book "Pathologies of Power" by Paul Farmer...

Now the fun begins...

5 of us were transported to the UN compound this am to spend the day working with amputees, spinal cord injuries and traumatic injuries. Basically several huge mash tents, all the workers scurrying around and running on adrenaline. Witnessed surgeries out in the open, helicopters constantly taking off and landing, all the UN supplies stacked in huge piles donated from the US. Saw too many patients too count, but did an amazing amount of good. Witnessed a level of human suffering that is beyond words. These Haitian people are so strong and really beautiful people. This day was so chaotic and emotionally powerful it is taking time for me to process it all and be ready to go again tomorrow. I will be at the UN compound all week and then to a different location next week near the border of the Dominican Republic so we will spend 4 nights there. I feel so privileged to be able to use my skills and help these desperate people. This will be without a doubt the most life changing experience of my life.

Aftershock

We had a pretty good aftershock last night (4.7), everyone in the house woke up except for me and one other ... no damage though. We are in a really sturdy building atop a hill that survived the initial quake.

Arrived safely in Haiti

Arrived in Haiti safely. Staying at the "compound" lots of security (guys with rifles) and have no safety worries whatsoever. Everything else though is a bit of a shock, much like I expected. The scene at the airport was utter chaos but it is quite tranquil where we are staying. The "mash tent" where we will be seeing patients is very unique. Lots of us here together, docs, nurses, etc and met some amazing people at the airport, so many medical volunteers with tons of gear and equipment.

First commercial flights landed safely in Port au Prince this am, 4 of our team members arrived there today. The rest of us are gathering in Miami and everything is a go for tomorrow!

Leaving for Haiti

I am leaving for Miami in the morning and then on to Port au Prince. I am blessed to have so many fabulous friends supporting me in this journey. I am fortunate to be associated with such a great organization Healing Hands for Haiti http://www.healinghandsforhaiti.org/
Together we can make a difference

To quote our amazing team leader Gail Buck
"Men anpil chay pa lou"
Many hands make the load lighter