The Journey Home
It was difficult to sleep Monday night. I had a fun evening with Shar and Vern reminiscing about our time in Haiti. Vern will remain in Haiti two more weeks and then the Hanger Clinic will close down over the holidays. The technicians will remain. After the first of the year, the Hanger prosthetists will return with a head prosthetist remaining for 3 months at a time while others rotate through for two weeks of service. Shar will remain until Sunday when she will return to northern California. It will be a tricky road home for Shar as she must dodge Hurricane Tomas . . .
Nevertheless, it was difficult to sleep Monday night with the wonderful memories of my time in Haiti racing through my head. The thought of the two and a half hour drive to Port Au Prince was enough to make me wonder if I would safely arrive at the airport in time. The trip can take 2.5 – 3 hours or more depending on weather and road conditions. I woke up at 4:00 am and pulled a few things together. The van arrived at 6:00 as we left Dechapelles with a car load of folks from Dechapelles who had business in Port Au Prince. The sun was barely up and we were off. It wasn’t dark so the driving was fine. The only challenge we had was the glare of the sun as we headed eastward down the mountain.
Just after passing through the neighboring town of Verette, we noticed the road was clogged with people. On the right hand side of the road and ditch, we could see a horrible scene. A tap tap had just overturned and was lying on its right side. There were people, chickens, bags of rice, and other things strewn about. Fortunately, no one was seriously hurt. People at the scene appeared to have things under control so our driver proceeded around the scene. A patient in the cholera ward once told us that to be well in Haiti you need medicine and God! How true. A safe tap tap and driver are also a must! A quick prayer was said for those on the road and for our continued safety on our journey to Port Au Prince. The rest of the trip was uneventful but beautiful as we continued to watch the sun rise and enjoyed the beautiful mountainous scenery. The road down into Port Au Prince was spectacular as we saw mist rise from the huge salt water lake and the vision of Port Au Prince in the distance.
As we drove into Port Au Prince, the city and people were coming back to life. People, cars, and tap taps were everywhere. We made several stops to pick up or drop off items or people. Finally, the driver and I were the only ones left in the van and we were on our way to the airport. I had plenty of time before my plane would leave! I reached the airport around 8:30 and was able to enjoy some last minute sunshine and live music from an area across from the airport. I waited in line at American Airlines, checked in for my flight, and was ready to cross over through immigration when my friend Giulio arrived to say goodbye. Giulio is a member of the Italian Carabinieri peace keeping forces here in Haiti. He has been stationed in Haiti for the last year and will be heading to Kenya in January or February. It was fun to visit and see each other even if it was for a short time. We had hoped to get together a couple of times but a huge mountain range, limited transportation, and a cholera outbreak prevented any other visits! The airport visits at the beginning and end of this trip were short but fun. Then it was time to go . . .
Although it is wonderful to return home, it is always hard to leave Haiti because of the beautiful people and friendships that are made here. I will miss the goats and roosters outside my window, the beauty of the mountain top, the moon and the stars at night, and most of all the wonderful people I was able to meet and work with during my time in Dechapelles and Haiti. A huge piece of my heart will always remain in Haiti! It is true. My suitcase will be heavy as one of my patients had previously warned me and that is just fine. I am carrying home the hearts of my patients and the people I had the privilege to meet and work with once again. I have been able to serve and be served by amazing and brilliant people here in Haiti. These souls are a bright light over Haiti – like the sun, the moon, and the stars. We are all made better – like a light filling a house - because of the challenges we face and encounters we experience working together with each other.
Piti piti plen kay: A little lamp (or light) can fill the whole house.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Monday: Last Day at Hanger Klinik
My Last Day at the Clinic
Monday was my last day at the clinic and we were very busy with the car load from Catholic Medical Missions Board from Port Au Prince. Cennix arrived with about eight patients. We organized who was who and what their needs were. We had one new patient, Chery, the futbol (soccer) player on the Zaryen (Tarantula) soccer team in Port Au Prince that my friends Cedieu and Wilfrid started. Chery would be getting his leg fit. We had casted him last Wednesday. The other patients needed various adjustments so Vern was a busy prosthetist. We decided to start with a group class on the basics of wearing a prosthetic leg, wearing schedule, and other important things. We then worked with the patients to see how each adjustment would affect the patient’s gait. We had great fun!
Monday and Tuesday of this week are actually holidays here in Haiti so we had a skeleton staff with Vern being the only prosthetist. Miriam was on duty as security guard. Shar and I were the PTs on duty. In the afternoon each of the prosthetic technicians and Rosaline, our office coordinator, all stopped by to wish me safe travels on Tuesday. Miriam was too sad to stay and say, “Goodbye.” Instead she told Rosaline to tell me she not to forget her and that she will see me in April. The team all shared with me how wonderful it was to work together. Rosaline told me how I brought hope to many people here and showed them there is a light over Haiti. She, like my dear friend Cedieu at Medishare told me that those who come to Haiti to help people rebuild their lives are like a great light over Haiti. There were many hugs and I was told I am expected back in April!
Later Monday night, Rosaline stopped by with a gift of hand woven placemats that she had made and painted. She even included the pistachio shells from the bag I brought for everyone to share earlier in the week! Nothing is wasted here in Haiti. It was a very fun last day at work. I especially like Clair’s words from the South Africans of never saying goodbye. Instead, people say, “I see you just now!” May our paths cross again!
Monday was my last day at the clinic and we were very busy with the car load from Catholic Medical Missions Board from Port Au Prince. Cennix arrived with about eight patients. We organized who was who and what their needs were. We had one new patient, Chery, the futbol (soccer) player on the Zaryen (Tarantula) soccer team in Port Au Prince that my friends Cedieu and Wilfrid started. Chery would be getting his leg fit. We had casted him last Wednesday. The other patients needed various adjustments so Vern was a busy prosthetist. We decided to start with a group class on the basics of wearing a prosthetic leg, wearing schedule, and other important things. We then worked with the patients to see how each adjustment would affect the patient’s gait. We had great fun!
Monday and Tuesday of this week are actually holidays here in Haiti so we had a skeleton staff with Vern being the only prosthetist. Miriam was on duty as security guard. Shar and I were the PTs on duty. In the afternoon each of the prosthetic technicians and Rosaline, our office coordinator, all stopped by to wish me safe travels on Tuesday. Miriam was too sad to stay and say, “Goodbye.” Instead she told Rosaline to tell me she not to forget her and that she will see me in April. The team all shared with me how wonderful it was to work together. Rosaline told me how I brought hope to many people here and showed them there is a light over Haiti. She, like my dear friend Cedieu at Medishare told me that those who come to Haiti to help people rebuild their lives are like a great light over Haiti. There were many hugs and I was told I am expected back in April!
Later Monday night, Rosaline stopped by with a gift of hand woven placemats that she had made and painted. She even included the pistachio shells from the bag I brought for everyone to share earlier in the week! Nothing is wasted here in Haiti. It was a very fun last day at work. I especially like Clair’s words from the South Africans of never saying goodbye. Instead, people say, “I see you just now!” May our paths cross again!
A Hike to Sacred Ground & Then Coffee
Sunday: Hike to Two Trees and Coffee with Ian
We woke at 4:30 am today to get ready to hike up the mountain again to the sacred place called Two Trees. The nurses, Shar, and Brandon the photographer with Project Hope and I made our way up the mountain in the dark. It was not easy as there were several paths to choose from, but we found our way after I chatted with a couple of Haitian nurses going home after their night shift. We followed the path up the mountain until there was a woman walking barefoot up the mountain with a water jug on her head. I felt a bit like the blind leading the blind as it was only my second time up to this spot. This woman with the water jug would walk then wait momentarily to be sure I knew which way to go. At the top she wanted me to take her picture and simply show her the photo on my camera. She then set the jug of water down and began her prayer ritual of greeting the four corners of the earth. She recited her prayers and sang. It was definitely a sacred moment.
There was a huge misty cloud hanging over the valley this week which made it difficult to see the entire Artibonite River. Nevertheless it was beautiful. The sun finally peaked its head out around the eastern mountains and greeted the cusp of a moon that remained momentarily in the sky. The colors were spectacular – pinks, purples, blues, and grays mixed with the white clouds over the green valley. Breathtaking! There was not as much activity at the community well this week so we made our way down without the many kids who had joined us the week before. We made it home in time for a breakfast of pancakes, fruit, and coffee. Then it was time for a quick shower which was occupied by three of the Haitian nurses so a quick dip in the pool had to suffice.
Then only other pressing agenda item was a date for coffee with Ian at 7:30 am at the Mellon home. We were changed and began our 10 minute hike down the mountain on the other side of the hospital to the Mellon home. Ian greeted us and we had coffee on the veranda. He had a great deal going on with the second in command from the CDC at his house. Nevertheless, Ian made time for us. He told stories about his family and how he had been one of Paul Farmer’s teachers at the University. Then we had a tour of the Mellon family garden. Levi was a Haitian man who grew up with Ian here in Haiti. Levi is an agricultural specialist. He has transformed the limestone hills surrounding the Mellon home into an organic and lush garden. His garden is based on the terracing principal of three levels of plants and trees specifically designed to create shade and nutrients for each other. Levi creates cutting and grafts of plants for other Haitian to plant at their homes. The garden was spectacular. We were then shown the meditation spot which served as the final resting place for Dr. Larimer and Gwen Mellon, Ian’s mother and step father. It was a very special moment to be shown this part of the garden and to hear the wonderful stories Ian shared with us. Shar and I were each given 2 grapefruits by Levi. We thanked Levi for his gift of the grapefruit and more importantly for his gift to the people of Haiti for his agricultural talents.
We had a mellow rest of the day by the pool. I was able to finish reading the book, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and then caught up on some limited email. I will begin to pack tonight as tomorrow is jammed with patients. I hope to also get in one more swim under the moon! A team from Bangladesh has arrived so life continues to be very interesting!
We woke at 4:30 am today to get ready to hike up the mountain again to the sacred place called Two Trees. The nurses, Shar, and Brandon the photographer with Project Hope and I made our way up the mountain in the dark. It was not easy as there were several paths to choose from, but we found our way after I chatted with a couple of Haitian nurses going home after their night shift. We followed the path up the mountain until there was a woman walking barefoot up the mountain with a water jug on her head. I felt a bit like the blind leading the blind as it was only my second time up to this spot. This woman with the water jug would walk then wait momentarily to be sure I knew which way to go. At the top she wanted me to take her picture and simply show her the photo on my camera. She then set the jug of water down and began her prayer ritual of greeting the four corners of the earth. She recited her prayers and sang. It was definitely a sacred moment.
There was a huge misty cloud hanging over the valley this week which made it difficult to see the entire Artibonite River. Nevertheless it was beautiful. The sun finally peaked its head out around the eastern mountains and greeted the cusp of a moon that remained momentarily in the sky. The colors were spectacular – pinks, purples, blues, and grays mixed with the white clouds over the green valley. Breathtaking! There was not as much activity at the community well this week so we made our way down without the many kids who had joined us the week before. We made it home in time for a breakfast of pancakes, fruit, and coffee. Then it was time for a quick shower which was occupied by three of the Haitian nurses so a quick dip in the pool had to suffice.
Then only other pressing agenda item was a date for coffee with Ian at 7:30 am at the Mellon home. We were changed and began our 10 minute hike down the mountain on the other side of the hospital to the Mellon home. Ian greeted us and we had coffee on the veranda. He had a great deal going on with the second in command from the CDC at his house. Nevertheless, Ian made time for us. He told stories about his family and how he had been one of Paul Farmer’s teachers at the University. Then we had a tour of the Mellon family garden. Levi was a Haitian man who grew up with Ian here in Haiti. Levi is an agricultural specialist. He has transformed the limestone hills surrounding the Mellon home into an organic and lush garden. His garden is based on the terracing principal of three levels of plants and trees specifically designed to create shade and nutrients for each other. Levi creates cutting and grafts of plants for other Haitian to plant at their homes. The garden was spectacular. We were then shown the meditation spot which served as the final resting place for Dr. Larimer and Gwen Mellon, Ian’s mother and step father. It was a very special moment to be shown this part of the garden and to hear the wonderful stories Ian shared with us. Shar and I were each given 2 grapefruits by Levi. We thanked Levi for his gift of the grapefruit and more importantly for his gift to the people of Haiti for his agricultural talents.
We had a mellow rest of the day by the pool. I was able to finish reading the book, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and then caught up on some limited email. I will begin to pack tonight as tomorrow is jammed with patients. I hope to also get in one more swim under the moon! A team from Bangladesh has arrived so life continues to be very interesting!
Tim Timly's Tap Tap
Saturday: A Private Tap Tap Ride to St. Marc
Saturday was our trip to St. Marc. We loaded the private tap tap rented by Vern the head prosthetist. Tim Timly was our driver. Jill, Jane, Joyce, Alysia, Nora, Emily, Paul, Vern, Janet, Shar, and I boarded the tap tap which was more like an open truck with seats on top of the cabin and along the sides of the truck bed. We were off with the wind blowing through our hair and the sun beating down on us. After about a 40 minute ride we were in St. Marc. We were able to see the beach there and it is little wonder why there is cholera in the region. Nevertheless, we tried to take pictures despite the great amount of garbage and raw sewage dumping into the ocean. We bought some stables which for me was coffee to bring back home. Then we had lunch at the Deli Mart. Shar & I were living dangerously and ordered a Presidente! We felt a bit like traitors, but enjoyed the beer anyway! We ordered cheeseburgers and fries. The burgers came without cheese. The chocolate cake we had for dessert was stale but it was chocolate! Then we all piled back into the tap tap for the return trip. Just as we arrived home Tim Timly’s tap tap had a flat tire! Luckily we were home. Then it was off to the pool for a relaxing swim. Dinner and a short visit to the prosthetists’ house was how Shar and I capped off our evening. Janet, Vern’s wife and Paul the prosthetist were leaving at 4:00 am so we stopped by to wish them well. All in all a great day!
Saturday was our trip to St. Marc. We loaded the private tap tap rented by Vern the head prosthetist. Tim Timly was our driver. Jill, Jane, Joyce, Alysia, Nora, Emily, Paul, Vern, Janet, Shar, and I boarded the tap tap which was more like an open truck with seats on top of the cabin and along the sides of the truck bed. We were off with the wind blowing through our hair and the sun beating down on us. After about a 40 minute ride we were in St. Marc. We were able to see the beach there and it is little wonder why there is cholera in the region. Nevertheless, we tried to take pictures despite the great amount of garbage and raw sewage dumping into the ocean. We bought some stables which for me was coffee to bring back home. Then we had lunch at the Deli Mart. Shar & I were living dangerously and ordered a Presidente! We felt a bit like traitors, but enjoyed the beer anyway! We ordered cheeseburgers and fries. The burgers came without cheese. The chocolate cake we had for dessert was stale but it was chocolate! Then we all piled back into the tap tap for the return trip. Just as we arrived home Tim Timly’s tap tap had a flat tire! Luckily we were home. Then it was off to the pool for a relaxing swim. Dinner and a short visit to the prosthetists’ house was how Shar and I capped off our evening. Janet, Vern’s wife and Paul the prosthetist were leaving at 4:00 am so we stopped by to wish them well. All in all a great day!
Gait Training in Haiti - A Great Friday!
A Great Friday: Gait Training in Haiti!
Today we were expecting only about two of our patients to return to the clinic as many had been sent home due to the cholera outbreak. We were pleasantly surprised as a van pulled up with two boys from an orphanage in a neighboring town arrived with Ann their caretaker. One of the boys was 6 and the other 16. The 6 year old had to relearn how to get his prosthetic heel down first and then keep his knee straight when he walked after some adjustments. He was a quick study. The other young man had a PFFD situation of some sort where he had one regular sized leg and one mini leg. This challenge did not bother him, but without prosthesis, he would suffer terrible hip and back pain. His prosthesis looked like a there were two feet in bunk bed position. Cosmetically it looked odd, but could easily be covered by pants. Functionally, there was no stopping this kid! His adjustments involved enlarging the top foot to accommodate for his growth since last April. He also needed inches added to his pylon as he had grown taller overall since last spring. The next thing we knew a man arrived on his horse for an adjustment which involved re-gluing his cover. This man’s goal was to be able to walk up the mountain to his house – typical gait training here in Haiti!
After we organized everyone and were sure they were safe on level surfaces, we were off in mass to the tennis courts where we were able to practice gait on the lines, sidestep, tandem walk, retro walk, then run, then walk on the wall around the tennis courts, over the tennis net, and under it. We played follow the leader with close corner turns. It was an exciting and fun time. Several other patients also showed up making for a fun morning.
After lunch things were pretty slow. I was able to have a Creole lesson with some of the lab workers, check email, and go for a swim. It was a great end to a wonderful week.
The nurses from Mass General are working hard in the hospital. The Haitian nurses I live with are now catching onto the fact that we need to fill the rain barrel between 6:00 – 7:00 am and pm if we all want water for showers. Nevertheless, it is great to jump in the pool at the end of the day! Tomorrow our adventure to St. Marc begins at 10:00 with the prosthetists.
Today we were expecting only about two of our patients to return to the clinic as many had been sent home due to the cholera outbreak. We were pleasantly surprised as a van pulled up with two boys from an orphanage in a neighboring town arrived with Ann their caretaker. One of the boys was 6 and the other 16. The 6 year old had to relearn how to get his prosthetic heel down first and then keep his knee straight when he walked after some adjustments. He was a quick study. The other young man had a PFFD situation of some sort where he had one regular sized leg and one mini leg. This challenge did not bother him, but without prosthesis, he would suffer terrible hip and back pain. His prosthesis looked like a there were two feet in bunk bed position. Cosmetically it looked odd, but could easily be covered by pants. Functionally, there was no stopping this kid! His adjustments involved enlarging the top foot to accommodate for his growth since last April. He also needed inches added to his pylon as he had grown taller overall since last spring. The next thing we knew a man arrived on his horse for an adjustment which involved re-gluing his cover. This man’s goal was to be able to walk up the mountain to his house – typical gait training here in Haiti!
After we organized everyone and were sure they were safe on level surfaces, we were off in mass to the tennis courts where we were able to practice gait on the lines, sidestep, tandem walk, retro walk, then run, then walk on the wall around the tennis courts, over the tennis net, and under it. We played follow the leader with close corner turns. It was an exciting and fun time. Several other patients also showed up making for a fun morning.
After lunch things were pretty slow. I was able to have a Creole lesson with some of the lab workers, check email, and go for a swim. It was a great end to a wonderful week.
The nurses from Mass General are working hard in the hospital. The Haitian nurses I live with are now catching onto the fact that we need to fill the rain barrel between 6:00 – 7:00 am and pm if we all want water for showers. Nevertheless, it is great to jump in the pool at the end of the day! Tomorrow our adventure to St. Marc begins at 10:00 with the prosthetists.
The UN Helicopter
The UN Helicopter
Today Jo (a long-term PT here from England) was able to celebrate huge victory as the UN helicopter came to pick up three of the patients with spinal cord injuries here at Hopital Albert Schweitzer. The patients were being transferred to St. Boniface in southern Haiti where there is a rehabilitation center for folks with spinal cord injuries. We were all waiting for the sound of the helicopter which came around 9:30 am. It was an amazing site as we heard the hum of the chopper blades as the UN helicopter began to descend onto the precise coordinates of our soccer field.
Jo had worked so hard to confirm the coordinates with the Germans who were the last group to land a helicopter here. People from all over our compound and beyond ran to see what the excitement was all about. Suddenly a brown cloud of dust engulfed us all as the helicopter gracefully settled on the soccer field. It was a beautiful machine. The rear doors were opened and patients were transferred from the open bed trucks onto the helicopter. It was beautifully coordinated.
We even had time to take pictures and meet the pilots, Alexander and Vladimir, who were from Russia. Alexander was recently in Afghanistan and was now sent to Haiti for a “vacation” job. Vladimir will be taking over Alexander’s position in a month. The pilots were very proud of their work and pleased to be in the service of humanity. Had a blast practicing what little Russian I knew from my PT work back home. Once the patients, wheelchairs, and other equipment were loaded, Jo jumped in to care for the patients and they were all off! As fast as they had come, they were just as rapidly on their way to St. Boniface! An amazing morning for sure! For patients who have spinal cord injuries, life becomes a death sentence as there are only two rehabilitation centers in all of Haiti – IF you can gain access. What an amazing gift of advocacy Jo has given these patients. The rest of our day was spent working with patients on gait training in the prosthetics center. An awesome day altogether! Today was about providing others with the gift of hope. From the valiant coordination efforts of Jo to our Dream Team here in the Hanger clinic we bring hope to others. It is hope that makes us live, just as the Haitian proverb states: Lespwa fe viv.
Today Jo (a long-term PT here from England) was able to celebrate huge victory as the UN helicopter came to pick up three of the patients with spinal cord injuries here at Hopital Albert Schweitzer. The patients were being transferred to St. Boniface in southern Haiti where there is a rehabilitation center for folks with spinal cord injuries. We were all waiting for the sound of the helicopter which came around 9:30 am. It was an amazing site as we heard the hum of the chopper blades as the UN helicopter began to descend onto the precise coordinates of our soccer field.
Jo had worked so hard to confirm the coordinates with the Germans who were the last group to land a helicopter here. People from all over our compound and beyond ran to see what the excitement was all about. Suddenly a brown cloud of dust engulfed us all as the helicopter gracefully settled on the soccer field. It was a beautiful machine. The rear doors were opened and patients were transferred from the open bed trucks onto the helicopter. It was beautifully coordinated.
We even had time to take pictures and meet the pilots, Alexander and Vladimir, who were from Russia. Alexander was recently in Afghanistan and was now sent to Haiti for a “vacation” job. Vladimir will be taking over Alexander’s position in a month. The pilots were very proud of their work and pleased to be in the service of humanity. Had a blast practicing what little Russian I knew from my PT work back home. Once the patients, wheelchairs, and other equipment were loaded, Jo jumped in to care for the patients and they were all off! As fast as they had come, they were just as rapidly on their way to St. Boniface! An amazing morning for sure! For patients who have spinal cord injuries, life becomes a death sentence as there are only two rehabilitation centers in all of Haiti – IF you can gain access. What an amazing gift of advocacy Jo has given these patients. The rest of our day was spent working with patients on gait training in the prosthetics center. An awesome day altogether! Today was about providing others with the gift of hope. From the valiant coordination efforts of Jo to our Dream Team here in the Hanger clinic we bring hope to others. It is hope that makes us live, just as the Haitian proverb states: Lespwa fe viv.
Clinic Under the Mango Tree
Wednesday: Trip to Port Au Prince
Wednesday morning bright and early we met at the prosthetists’ house for our trip to Port Au Prince to do some castings at the Catholic Medical Missions Board Orphanage called New Life. Vern (head prosthetist), Paul, Clair, Evinor (our translator), Jaffar (our driver), and I were off for the three hour ride down the mountain to Port Au Prince. Once in Port Au Prince we wound our way through skinny back roads that resembled muddy alley ways surrounded by high walls. Somehow Jaffar knew exactly where to go. Once we arrived, we learned we would be working under a beautifully full mango tree. It was shady, cool, and lovely. We had the possibility of doing five to seven patient castings but only two patients showed up. I also worked with a small boy who had CP.
I had brought the medical dictionary with me in the off chance that I could find someone going to Medishare to deliver it to my friend Cedieu. Cedieu is the prosthetic technician who works at Medishare. He also works as a PT technician and is so hungry to learn. He had asked me to bring the dictionary down for him. In his down time, Cedieu coaches a soccer team of men who are amputees called the Zaryen or the Tarantulas. Unfortunately, I had no way to get to Medishare. I called him and he asked permission to come to our center to pick up the dictionary but was told he must stay at Medishare to work.
One of the patients we were casting looked vaguely familiar. He was quite an athletic looking young man. As he was being casted Clair told him he must come to Dechapelles to be fit for his leg on a Monday or a Thursday. The patient said he cannot come on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Clair thought this was an odd schedule to have for work. She asked him what kind of work he did on those days. The patient replied that it was not work he was doing but his soccer practice with the Zaryen (Tarantula) Soccer Team! He was NOT going to miss his soccer practice for anything! Aha! I had seen his picture! He knew Cedieu! He agreed to take the medical dictionary to Cedieu. I thought he would do on it Thursday for soccer practice. Within an hour after the patient left our mango tree clinic, I received a call from Cedieu thanking me profusely for the dictionary. Our patient had a mission and had gone directly to Project Medishare to deliver my dictionary to Cedieu! What an amazing coincidence! Being in Haiti can seem so isolated at times and yet we can also feel so connected.
Since we were done early, we were faced with a 3 hour ride back to Dechapelles without lunch. I had mentioned to the group that we are so close to the MINUSTAH Deck Bar & Grill – we should stop there for lunch. Tales of burgers and fries were enticing. We found directions and were off to the UN. The Deck is entirely a different place at noon compared to the more laid back dinner club of my Medishare days. Today the Deck was packed full of people from all over the world in their uniforms, speaking many different languages. It made for great people watching! I began to wonder why everyone was there and what stories they might share. Someday an ethnographic study of the Deck would be so interesting! My Italian friends were busy driving ambulances and were unable to join us for lunch. It was just not the same place without Giulio and Paolo! Then on our way out of Port Au Prince, we stopped at a supermarket to get Clair’s “rhum” - 5 Star – the best in Haiti. We made it back to Dechapelles to jump in the pool just before dinner.
Clair and I visited the prosthetists for her last night in Dechapelles. We did not want to say goodbye, so we resorted to the South African phrase of “I see you just now,” to mean that we hope our paths will cross again! We hope to see each other in Amsterdam for the World Confederation of Physical Therapy conference in June! We spent the night star gazing and then Clair was off in the morning at 4:00 am for her 25 hour journey back to Scotland. I am now living with 6 Haitian nurses in our Kay Dunn #11 house. There will be another physician joining our group tonight. We also have a team of nurses from Mass General Hospital here to assist with the cholera patients. The numbers of patients with cholera are dwindling and the folks from CDC are here investigating possible causes of the outbreak. They have narrowed things down to the possibility of eating seafood from the rivers and the possible bad water source. They will continue to investigate the stories of people with and without cholera to see if they can pinpoint the root cause. Many here simply say, “Don’t eat from the same area where you pee or poop!”
Our translator shared with us that many people from his community thought the cholera outbreak may have been caused by the Blancs. They felt the Blancs may have come and poisoned the water to kill off the Haitian people. The Haitian people had once used that tactic to chase the French colonizers away from Haiti. Now the Haitians feared this cholera outbreak was payback. Our translator told members in his community that the Blancs have come to help not hurt the Haitian people.
Wednesday morning bright and early we met at the prosthetists’ house for our trip to Port Au Prince to do some castings at the Catholic Medical Missions Board Orphanage called New Life. Vern (head prosthetist), Paul, Clair, Evinor (our translator), Jaffar (our driver), and I were off for the three hour ride down the mountain to Port Au Prince. Once in Port Au Prince we wound our way through skinny back roads that resembled muddy alley ways surrounded by high walls. Somehow Jaffar knew exactly where to go. Once we arrived, we learned we would be working under a beautifully full mango tree. It was shady, cool, and lovely. We had the possibility of doing five to seven patient castings but only two patients showed up. I also worked with a small boy who had CP.
I had brought the medical dictionary with me in the off chance that I could find someone going to Medishare to deliver it to my friend Cedieu. Cedieu is the prosthetic technician who works at Medishare. He also works as a PT technician and is so hungry to learn. He had asked me to bring the dictionary down for him. In his down time, Cedieu coaches a soccer team of men who are amputees called the Zaryen or the Tarantulas. Unfortunately, I had no way to get to Medishare. I called him and he asked permission to come to our center to pick up the dictionary but was told he must stay at Medishare to work.
One of the patients we were casting looked vaguely familiar. He was quite an athletic looking young man. As he was being casted Clair told him he must come to Dechapelles to be fit for his leg on a Monday or a Thursday. The patient said he cannot come on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Clair thought this was an odd schedule to have for work. She asked him what kind of work he did on those days. The patient replied that it was not work he was doing but his soccer practice with the Zaryen (Tarantula) Soccer Team! He was NOT going to miss his soccer practice for anything! Aha! I had seen his picture! He knew Cedieu! He agreed to take the medical dictionary to Cedieu. I thought he would do on it Thursday for soccer practice. Within an hour after the patient left our mango tree clinic, I received a call from Cedieu thanking me profusely for the dictionary. Our patient had a mission and had gone directly to Project Medishare to deliver my dictionary to Cedieu! What an amazing coincidence! Being in Haiti can seem so isolated at times and yet we can also feel so connected.
Since we were done early, we were faced with a 3 hour ride back to Dechapelles without lunch. I had mentioned to the group that we are so close to the MINUSTAH Deck Bar & Grill – we should stop there for lunch. Tales of burgers and fries were enticing. We found directions and were off to the UN. The Deck is entirely a different place at noon compared to the more laid back dinner club of my Medishare days. Today the Deck was packed full of people from all over the world in their uniforms, speaking many different languages. It made for great people watching! I began to wonder why everyone was there and what stories they might share. Someday an ethnographic study of the Deck would be so interesting! My Italian friends were busy driving ambulances and were unable to join us for lunch. It was just not the same place without Giulio and Paolo! Then on our way out of Port Au Prince, we stopped at a supermarket to get Clair’s “rhum” - 5 Star – the best in Haiti. We made it back to Dechapelles to jump in the pool just before dinner.
Clair and I visited the prosthetists for her last night in Dechapelles. We did not want to say goodbye, so we resorted to the South African phrase of “I see you just now,” to mean that we hope our paths will cross again! We hope to see each other in Amsterdam for the World Confederation of Physical Therapy conference in June! We spent the night star gazing and then Clair was off in the morning at 4:00 am for her 25 hour journey back to Scotland. I am now living with 6 Haitian nurses in our Kay Dunn #11 house. There will be another physician joining our group tonight. We also have a team of nurses from Mass General Hospital here to assist with the cholera patients. The numbers of patients with cholera are dwindling and the folks from CDC are here investigating possible causes of the outbreak. They have narrowed things down to the possibility of eating seafood from the rivers and the possible bad water source. They will continue to investigate the stories of people with and without cholera to see if they can pinpoint the root cause. Many here simply say, “Don’t eat from the same area where you pee or poop!”
Our translator shared with us that many people from his community thought the cholera outbreak may have been caused by the Blancs. They felt the Blancs may have come and poisoned the water to kill off the Haitian people. The Haitian people had once used that tactic to chase the French colonizers away from Haiti. Now the Haitians feared this cholera outbreak was payback. Our translator told members in his community that the Blancs have come to help not hurt the Haitian people.
A Tarantula in the Shower!
Tuesday Morning: Selfish but Fit!
This morning at 4:00 am I went into the bathroom only to find a huge tarantula in our shower! Yikes! “Bon Noir,” I told it! “Souple leave before 6:00 am!” At 5:30 am it was still lingering in the shower! They say you can shower with tarantulas because they are afraid of the water. Instead of a shower, I decided it would be better to take a very early swim under the moon and watch the sun rise. It was a cool morning for Haiti but lovely for a Minnesota gal. The water was clear as glass. I entered the pool under the almond tree. As I swam there was steam rising from the water. The moon was in the western sky and the sun began to make its majestic appearance in the eastern sky. The final glow of the moon through the almond tree was beautiful as I snuck one last glance at the moon. Swimming laps this morning was much better than sharing the shower with my friend the tarantula! Face it - I can be selfish at times! Although there is controversy as to whether or not bug nets are effective for the prevention of malaria, I love the safe little space it creates around me as I sleep!
Our team has changed a bit with Luke and others from last week returning home. Sharryn is the new PT from California who has joined us. Clair leaves Thursday morning.
This morning at 4:00 am I went into the bathroom only to find a huge tarantula in our shower! Yikes! “Bon Noir,” I told it! “Souple leave before 6:00 am!” At 5:30 am it was still lingering in the shower! They say you can shower with tarantulas because they are afraid of the water. Instead of a shower, I decided it would be better to take a very early swim under the moon and watch the sun rise. It was a cool morning for Haiti but lovely for a Minnesota gal. The water was clear as glass. I entered the pool under the almond tree. As I swam there was steam rising from the water. The moon was in the western sky and the sun began to make its majestic appearance in the eastern sky. The final glow of the moon through the almond tree was beautiful as I snuck one last glance at the moon. Swimming laps this morning was much better than sharing the shower with my friend the tarantula! Face it - I can be selfish at times! Although there is controversy as to whether or not bug nets are effective for the prevention of malaria, I love the safe little space it creates around me as I sleep!
Our team has changed a bit with Luke and others from last week returning home. Sharryn is the new PT from California who has joined us. Clair leaves Thursday morning.
A Good Day in Haiti
Saturday and Sunday: What is a Good Day in Haiti?
The weekend was a mixture of relaxation and hard work. It was a time to do laundry, to nurse Clair back to health, and to assist in the hospital. There was no prosthetics clinic on Saturday as we sent patients back to Port Au Prince. We have one patient returning on Monday that we know of for sure. Many people continue to arrive each day at the hospital being carried in by family members. Although there is a steady stream, it seems more manageable now. Perhaps we are just getting used to the many needs. Nevertheless, we continue to see patients get better. I even manage to use my Spanish skills from time to time. One patient today was a pregnant woman who complained of terrible toe and leg cramps and a headache. We chatted in Spanish. I taught her some stretches and low trunk rotations to relieve her pain, explaining the pain was like a crying and hungry baby. Using small rotations of her bent knees, she could diminish the pain. She must also drink the rehydration solution which will prevent any muscle cramps and headaches. She said she is due to deliver her baby any day. She then let me feel her baby move. An amazing gift.
My Creole is continuing to improve as well. I do get a certain bye being a Blanc. We make sure IVs are running properly, that patients understand that drinking is important even if they tend to vomit at first. Vomiting does not mean the water is bad – just that their systems have been infected by the bugs from the river water. The patients fear the leg and foot cramps and headaches of dehydration. It is when we help them understand the connection between dehydration and those symptoms; they then begin to buy into the importance of drinking. It is truly amazing to see so many souls on the brink of death eventually sitting upright the next day beginning to return to their reality of life.
One patient from the other day could not be found. Debbie and I did not know where he was. We wondered if he had passed. Preparing ourselves for the idea that death is a part of a cholera epidemic, we were pleasantly surprised to find the man had been moved to the recovery wing of the hospital. He was sitting up chatting and smiling. Now this is a good day in Haiti!
The weekend was a mixture of relaxation and hard work. It was a time to do laundry, to nurse Clair back to health, and to assist in the hospital. There was no prosthetics clinic on Saturday as we sent patients back to Port Au Prince. We have one patient returning on Monday that we know of for sure. Many people continue to arrive each day at the hospital being carried in by family members. Although there is a steady stream, it seems more manageable now. Perhaps we are just getting used to the many needs. Nevertheless, we continue to see patients get better. I even manage to use my Spanish skills from time to time. One patient today was a pregnant woman who complained of terrible toe and leg cramps and a headache. We chatted in Spanish. I taught her some stretches and low trunk rotations to relieve her pain, explaining the pain was like a crying and hungry baby. Using small rotations of her bent knees, she could diminish the pain. She must also drink the rehydration solution which will prevent any muscle cramps and headaches. She said she is due to deliver her baby any day. She then let me feel her baby move. An amazing gift.
My Creole is continuing to improve as well. I do get a certain bye being a Blanc. We make sure IVs are running properly, that patients understand that drinking is important even if they tend to vomit at first. Vomiting does not mean the water is bad – just that their systems have been infected by the bugs from the river water. The patients fear the leg and foot cramps and headaches of dehydration. It is when we help them understand the connection between dehydration and those symptoms; they then begin to buy into the importance of drinking. It is truly amazing to see so many souls on the brink of death eventually sitting upright the next day beginning to return to their reality of life.
One patient from the other day could not be found. Debbie and I did not know where he was. We wondered if he had passed. Preparing ourselves for the idea that death is a part of a cholera epidemic, we were pleasantly surprised to find the man had been moved to the recovery wing of the hospital. He was sitting up chatting and smiling. Now this is a good day in Haiti!
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