Sunday, March 7th,2010

Today started very early. Some of us were up at 5 am to begin taking showers due to the fact that the Guest House where we are staying is housing MANY groups and for every 2 rooms that are housing 3 or 4 people in each room...there is one bathroom!!! So in reality....1 toilet and shower for 8 people. We have cold water......period!!! Boy that woke us all up!!!!
Our day began with a mass held in the chapel which was attended by most of our team. We will begin each day this way....and I know that many of us are not Catholic on the team, but to start a day in prayer and to hear the Haitian people who attend sing and pray is very moving and uplifting. Needless to say, we will be going to Mass every day!! We also want to show respect to the nuns and priests that run this area, and in doing so, we will be attending. On some days, there will be a funeral Mass as well for a child that passes away in the hospital, but they are continuing to bring children to this area that are pulled from the rubble so that they can be buried and blessed by the priests!
Once Mass was over, I attended rounds with the Orthopedic surgeons, gor my orders and began my day. I had 4 patients with various injuries,most of whom were a result of the earthquake, and had not been up walking. They had all had surgery 3 to 4 days ago and were in alot of pain. Things are so very different in the states....we get the patients up and moving QUICKLY...usually the next day, but here, they like to stay in bed until the pain is gone and they are healed!!! Needless to say..my nickname of DRILL SRGT. came in handy today!!! When I went back and walked into the recovery room in the afternoon towork them all again, as soon as I walked in the room....ALL the patients and their family members groaned and sighed and then began to laugh!! Yep...they know that Physical Therapy is happning.
Lynell, Diane and Audry helped me in the recovery room. Amber, Erin, Dr. Hurley, Dr. Decker, Barbara and Carol were all in the OR this morning for one case. Dr. Johnston was busy meeting the German team and learning about the mobile clinic that he will be staffing beginning tomorrow. The staff here at ST. Damiens is now trying to make Sunday a day of rest for the teams as well as observe the Lord's day!
After eating lunch, a large group of us ventured out into the nearby neighbor hoods....yes there were men with us and an interpretor for all of you concerned husbands)!! The UN and US forces are still very present in this area. as we walked the streets, UN trucks with armed guards patrolled as well as MP's with HUGE guns were walking nearby!! We felt very safe. Navy helicopters continue to land and take off every day ...all day!!
We then all met together and ate supper....our dehydrated meals were tasty:). Dr. Su Ki Kim, and a orthopedic surgeon arrived today as well as two Hatian pediatric nurses who live in New Jersey. They are also part of our team.
After dinner, as we were relaxing, we learned of a room filled orphaned and abandoned infants in the hospital. We were told that there are too many children for the nurses to hold and feed and change in a timely manner soooooooo all of the women jumped right up and were there in a heart beat!!! OH MY GOODNESS!!!! We have all fallen in love and were heart broken to find out that 2 month old children either suck out of a sippy cup or are fed with a syringe!!! NO BOTTLES TO BE FOUND!!!! No rocking chairs, no blankets...just so sad. Alot of the children have parents, but have abandoned them because they can no longer take care of them.
We are all doing well. We are gearing up for tomorrow when the hospital clinic opens up, the OR is in full swing and the mobile clinic is on the move. We have been told by the teams that are now leaving to be prepared for very long day, very large crowds and anything and everything.
I have taken ALOT of pictures, as well as Amber and Erin and I have tried to upload them today and night, but the internet is very slow today and will not allow. I will try again in the morning when it is quite around here and see if that works.
Every one is well and eager to begin the hard work. Dr. Hurley has prepared us well, and he has even stated that it is sooooo much different, FOR THE GOOD, than when he was here in January. The airport is much more civil and organized, as well as the hospital, clinics and teams.
The weather today was hot and sunny! All we were missing was a pool!!! But the cold water showers that we are taking is making up for it. THe only hot water you have is that which you heat up in the microwave!!!
Everyone sends their love. Again, everyone is well and ready to begin!!
Keep the prayers coming. Tomorrow the teams that have been here are leaving and Team United States #1 are on our own!! (That is the name we have around here!!!)
God is good and faithful, and we can do nothing without Him.
Sleep well all, and I will write again tomorrow if time allows!!!