From November 30 to December 15, 2010, I will be in Leogane together with 4 friends from Alberta (and 96 other volunteers from around the world) to help in whatever way we can. I'll try to keep you posted about our experiences!
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
We're on Lock Down.... All is OK...
Good morning - just want all of you to know we're OK.... there have been demonstrations, even here in Leogane. We are locked down at least for the morning - probably for the day. I'll keep you posted....
We're still all praying for you guys and gals, and please, during this time especially, take care. You are quite an inspiration to me when I'm reading your posts and when I think of you during the day or night. God will bless you ALL for what you're doing to help these people. Even I want to be there, but know that won't happen in this life time. So I'm living it thru ALL of you, but especially you three ladies from Barrhead. You are an inspiration and know that you are loved for who you are and for what you do.
I'm glad to hear you are all doing well and that you are safe. I have been parying for you and will continue to do so while you are there. Time is flying I am sure, I am looking forward to hearing about your trip almost as much as I look forward to your blog to see what you are up to. Love to you Tracey, Khiya and Raine. xoxo Pastor Katherine
first off, who posted the first comment? you are awesome!!!
the hospital... it has taken me a little while to absorb the experience... the lack of supplies i expected... the lack of room was understandable... it was the lack of knowledge and compassion that really bothered me. my first day there we arrived shortly before 3 patients with cholera. 2 very dehydrated. the lady was cold, blood pressure assessable only through palpation, heart rate heard only directly over the heart and very faintly. she was unresponsive. very very sick. we started an iv quickly and opened it wide and waited. the older man was at least responsive. when the test results came back on the third patient, a young man, the doctor and nurse warned us to be careful. what i didn't realize that to them that meant not to touch or go near them. the doctor gave my american nurse heck in spanish because we were changing the iv bag without gloves on. what the medical personnel didn't realize that yes you need to take contact precautions but not to the point of neglecting the patient. and really the contact precautions are for fecal matter. i just think of all the patients we see in our hospital who are on isolation and how much they complain but all their needs are met... we sent these 3 patients to port a prince to the cholera centre that has been established there.
we had another patient with a bowel obstruction that was very obvious. the poor guy needed immediate surgery but there was no anesthetics available. we sent him in to port a prince too.
we had another 2 patients with malaria that we admitted here and then a few dressing changes. i remember in my experience a couple nasty changes but nothing compared to these. 3 were diabetic ulcers that were absolutely awful, rank and rotten. only one patient was being treated for his diabetes and honestly his hand should have been amputated. the wound was tunneled through his thumb and was open on the other side. i completely understand the lack of supplies but perhaps putting some maggots one it would have at least treated the wound. instead we covered them with gauze and sent the patient home. no antibiotics, no insulin, just cover and dismiss.
tuesday when i arrived at the hospital, there were no patients. my new friend lucci remained at the hospital all day and said there was only a couple patients all day and they had cholera.
today on lockdown... my brother reminded me that we aren't here just to help the haitians but that there are many people here that need to feel God's love as well. i am thankful for that reminder...
raine ... i check this daily .. and i read and feel (i thank you for that .. mostly)
and now i feel so so so many things .. your frustration, and yet i know you understand that this blip in your plans is insignificant in comparison to the "blip" that is the life of most of those you are working with.
i know you will never view a canadian hospital nor a patient complaint the same way again (and i will be checking your tongue regularily for bruising!)
i know you are sad and horrified at the inequities in our world and i know you realize that we dont have to understand them .. we can only try to rectify them one bit at a time.
and what i know most is that you will never know all the good you do .. that smile you give .. the hand you touch .. the work you do .. the lessons you teach .. the love you show.. will be appreciated and multiplied in times and places you will never see...
...... its all as its meant to be .. carry on my friend .. the world needs more of YOU ...
We're still all praying for you guys and gals, and please, during this time especially, take care. You are quite an inspiration to me when I'm reading your posts and when I think of you during the day or night. God will bless you ALL for what you're doing to help these people. Even I want to be there, but know that won't happen in this life time. So I'm living it thru ALL of you, but especially you three ladies from Barrhead. You are an inspiration and know that you are loved for who you are and for what you do.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear you are all doing well and that you are safe. I have been parying for you and will continue to do so while you are there. Time is flying I am sure, I am looking forward to hearing about your trip almost as much as I look forward to your blog to see what you are up to. Love to you Tracey, Khiya and Raine. xoxo Pastor Katherine
ReplyDeletefirst off, who posted the first comment? you are awesome!!!
ReplyDeletethe hospital... it has taken me a little while to absorb the experience... the lack of supplies i expected... the lack of room was understandable... it was the lack of knowledge and compassion that really bothered me. my first day there we arrived shortly before 3 patients with cholera. 2 very dehydrated. the lady was cold, blood pressure assessable only through palpation, heart rate heard only directly over the heart and very faintly. she was unresponsive. very very sick. we started an iv quickly and opened it wide and waited. the older man was at least responsive. when the test results came back on the third patient, a young man, the doctor and nurse warned us to be careful. what i didn't realize that to them that meant not to touch or go near them. the doctor gave my american nurse heck in spanish because we were changing the iv bag without gloves on. what the medical personnel didn't realize that yes you need to take contact precautions but not to the point of neglecting the patient. and really the contact precautions are for fecal matter. i just think of all the patients we see in our hospital who are on isolation and how much they complain but all their needs are met... we sent these 3 patients to port a prince to the cholera centre that has been established there.
we had another patient with a bowel obstruction that was very obvious. the poor guy needed immediate surgery but there was no anesthetics available. we sent him in to port a prince too.
we had another 2 patients with malaria that we admitted here and then a few dressing changes. i remember in my experience a couple nasty changes but nothing compared to these. 3 were diabetic ulcers that were absolutely awful, rank and rotten. only one patient was being treated for his diabetes and honestly his hand should have been amputated. the wound was tunneled through his thumb and was open on the other side. i completely understand the lack of supplies but perhaps putting some maggots one it would have at least treated the wound. instead we covered them with gauze and sent the patient home. no antibiotics, no insulin, just cover and dismiss.
tuesday when i arrived at the hospital, there were no patients. my new friend lucci remained at the hospital all day and said there was only a couple patients all day and they had cholera.
today on lockdown... my brother reminded me that we aren't here just to help the haitians but that there are many people here that need to feel God's love as well. i am thankful for that reminder...
raine ... i check this daily .. and i read and feel (i thank you for that .. mostly)
ReplyDeleteand now i feel so so so many things .. your frustration, and yet i know you understand that this blip in your plans is insignificant in comparison to the "blip" that is the life of most of those you are working with.
i know you will never view a canadian hospital nor a patient complaint the same way again (and i will be checking your tongue regularily for bruising!)
i know you are sad and horrified at the inequities in our world and i know you realize that we dont have to understand them .. we can only try to rectify them one bit at a time.
and what i know most is that you will never know all the good you do .. that smile you give .. the hand you touch .. the work you do .. the lessons you teach .. the love you show.. will be appreciated and multiplied in times and places you will never see...
...... its all as its meant to be .. carry on my friend .. the world needs more of YOU ...
Betty says, actually there are four of us ladies from Barrhead, thanks.
ReplyDelete