Flood doctor home from Haiti
Hi Everyone,
Thank so much for all the good wishes and prayers and support. I never felt helpless, hopeless, or defeated. Thanks for donating to Childrens of the Nations too.
After a day and a half of traveling we arrived into Jimani–right on the border of Haiti. We worked out of facility that was being built as an orphanage and medical clinic. Over a course of a few days it had been transformed into a several hundred capacity relief hospital teeming with medical teams from all over the US and world. On the day that we had arrive, word on gotten out that this place had enough electricity and water to take care of patients and about 100+ medical personal on descended onto it adding to the chaos.
Over the next few days, I just plugged in whereever they need help. I found myself in the recovery room/ICU unit of about 50 patients along with 3 other docs and 6 nurses. I changed sheets, moved patients, emptied bedpans, gave antibiotics, cleaned patients, put in IV’s, fed patients–basically I was an intern/RN/ICU doc. One day, I prepared patients to be airlifted out of JImani by naval helicopter by making sure they had all their medications and personal information with them.
There were times where I wanted cry and they were times I was overwhelmed by acts of love and service. There were also times when I did not want to be there but now I think I will go back. The need will be ongoing and drastic for a long time.
I chose a few pictures to send.
1. A girl whose mom had broken arm and leg. She gave her portion of food to another patient. She was so gracious.
2. A Haitian boy who helped us translate into Spanish which then our Spanish translator translated to English. We were trying to airvac the little baby onto the naval hospital ship so she could avoid an amputation. Most of the Haitians spoke only French Creole…which is not the same as high school French.
3. (Taken from the COTN website) Patients lying outside the hospital after an aftershock because they were too scared to go back in.
4. Me– in front of the hospital.
Love,
Christine