March 10th,2010

Today stated as usual with a Mass, however, as we were walking into the chapel, there were 2 body bags laying in the court yard next to the chapel. Once Mass was over, we all moved to the court yard and had a funeral srvice for the victims. No families were present. Usually when these boby bags appear, they are the remains of children found in the rubble of the schools. In these 2 bags were 10 people we were told. 7 in one bag and 3 in another. the bodies were badly decomposed and obviously very small. Once the funeral service ended, we began our day at the clinic and hospital.
Today was hot! Hottest day so far. More people came to the clinic today and before we knew it, it was 1:30pm and we had not stopped to eat lunch. We are drinking alot of water, but we noticed today that we are not going to the bathroom but once or twice a day. Dehydration is something that we don't think about at home very much, but we are watching closely for it here. The language barrier is a very big source of frustration. We have some local Hatians that are interpreting for us, but it is still very difficult. It is difficult for the people to understand what we need them to do to get better. They are a grateful people, but still have a hard time believing that they can walk when casts are removed after wearing them for 6 to 8 weeks. I have had a very difficult time with the language thing!! I have been laughed at alot because of the way I pronounce things...but I am trying.
Diane, Carol, Amber, Lynell and Dr. Decker spent the day in the clinic and back and forth to xray. Denise and Audrey went to the recovery room and the clinic. Dr. Hurley, Dr. Kim and Erin and Barbara spent the day in the OR. Dr. Joel again went on his mobile clinic with the germans.
One of our interpretors told us that he had a tap tap that would fit 19 people and wanted to know if we wanted to go on a sight seeing tour. Well...we all jumped at the chance and the entire team was off!!! We drove through town and even stopped at a local grocery store to enjoy the air conditioning and buy a few supplies and drinks. Once we were all on the tap tap again and took off, we noticed that we had a flat tire! But, we had a spare thank goodness.....but then quickly realized that it too was flat. So ......out cute little Lynell flagged down a U.N. police vehicle that helped us. Dr. Hurley and Jude, our interpretor and the U.N. police officer went and aired the tire up. Our driver meanwhile had left and walked about 2 blocks to get the other tire fixed. After waiting about an hour, we were on our way to the guest house. We did not want to venture any further due to the fact that the tire that Dr. Hurley took to air up and we put on the truck had a slow leak!!!
So we all arrived safely back home!!! After alot of laughs and bonding time, we are all taking showers and grabbing something to eat.
Today was a pretty emotional day for alot of us. The body bags and the funeral service drove home to us the reality of all of this. THe people in the clinic tell us their story...the what and how of their injury and the loss that they have experienced. Some tears were shed this morning before and during our jobs....and still tonight the emaotions are on our sleeves....tears come at the drop of a hat! God is giving us the strength to do this very difficult job....we ALL know this because the human part of us are weary.....even after just 4 days. The need is so great and will be for such a long time. People are in tents and plastic tarp homes....on top of the remains of the homes that were destroyed in the quake!!! The Haitian people ar so strong and rebound quickly!!! Kind of like...."Weebles wobble but they don't fall down!!" kind of thing!!!
More will come tomorrow and then more the next day and the next, etc......So many people....so much pain and suffering!
The doctors are amazing as well as the nurses that are cutting of casts, making casts, cleaning wounds, etc..... all the while with smiles on their faces and hugs for the people.
God put together an amazing team to work together this week....and I am blessed to be a part of it.
Love to all,
Denise