DAY 2
somewhat an extension of day 1 as sleep was not exactly sleep. aftershocks are somewhat intrusive to say the least. or maybe it's the thoughts of having another aftershock that's unsettling. i've not decided what the motto should be: 'god will protect you' or 'god gave you a brain - use it stupid and don't sleep indoors.' but maybe it's peer pressure or lack of a sleeping bag or roaming rabid dogs and tarantulas or stupidity, but we all sleep indoors. the second tremor of the night was a bit like a two alarm firehouse drill - everyone startled awake, sat up in their bunks and debated whether to run for the door or pretend it was ending any second - there was enough delay in our decision that it was made for us.
clinic started with a bang. many injured still pouring in - we reduced a midshaft femur fracture inon an eight year old now 16 days after the quake. i had to rebreak it to reestablish the length and straighten it. his dad carried him home - an hour away.
a beautiful 16 year old girl found was found in the rubble of the local catholic church. she suffered a crush injuries to her arms from the concussive effect of the falling rock and its total weight over two days. the resultant inflammation swelled her arms and cut blood to her distal arm causing a permanent median and ulnar nerve damage in her right arm and only partial in her left. she eagerly learned about the importance of physical therapy.
a priest and nun were buried as well and pulled out alive.
beyond the patients the most enjoyable part of the day was the military. here in this little remote seaside town of grand goave nonetheless. lt. jeff , here on security detail gave me his stateside cell number to call him should we 'need anything'. he said he'll treat it like a '911' call and despite spending nights offshore on their ship, he would have an armed team to us within 15 minutes. that simple bit of knowledge was more comforting than any of us cared to admit.
alfredo, an surgical tech back in the states was originally from cuba. he actually rafted his way to the US fearing a 20 year prison reprisal for 'crimes againt the government'. he helpted me splint several broken extremities, change dressings, bandatge wounds, pray with patients. another haitian -american marine had a conversation with one of my colleagues that went something like this: son, your family still lives in PAP? yes sir. have you heard from them? i've heard from my aunt and niece. (this of course means his mother is dead)......... son are you ok? good to go sir!
the military here is eenthusiastic, energetic, tireless, selfless. they are unbelievable - a true Godsend. they assimilate into the surroundings like their camouflage working side by side with us seeing patients, doing dressing changes, bringing supplies
the haitians seem to be adjusting the the new haiti - don't know if there will ever be a return to the old. approximately 2500 people have had their homes destroyed. no money to rebuild. they're sleeping in this medical/mission compound in a field , which prior to the quake was surrounded by a concrete wall to keep them out and the inside orderly. now they live in 'tents' made of sheets - not very weather worthy. the rainy season starts in 2-3 weeks. the military brought in plastic sheeting making some of the homeowners envious of others.
the long term new haiti plan: build quasi permanent housing for the tent dwellers including a 'sewage system' - the military is helping here as well. currently the inside of the tent is for living, just outside the flap door is for pooping and peeing... and for playing and rolling about and fixing food - we use a lot of betadine here.
the military brought in 5000 mre's to feed the masses - not exactly fishes and loaves but...?? have i mentioned we like the military. shame on anyone for ever directing a negative comment their way. i worked sided by side with a lt. who would drop anything to come protect us.. he spent 8 months in afganistan, 30 days home, then deployed here. the interpreter/medic/smiler/
DAY 3 pregnant haitians
more injuries and wound checks and we're getting a bit tired. last night 2 docs left us heading back to the states - unfortunately one got sick, probably dengue fever. he was exhausted, dehydrated and febrile. dengue's not a fun one to get. it's always interesting starting iv's on your own - the tone changes.
we delievered a baby today - happy, healthy. APGARS of 'we didn't care' - thank God not a lawyer to be found here, nothing against lawyers really :)
a second mother came in completely dilated, ready to push - had a c-section last time as her pelvis was too small to deliever. unreal. i went outside for a minute, ran into more military officers and was introduced to a dr. mike. what's your specialty mike? i do maternal-fetal medicine OB. mike, i want you to meet someone... interesting how that came about. we hadn't called them.. she got evacutated to the ship for a c-section
i just checked mom number three. her twins will be ready to enter the world soon.
cjh
somewhat an extension of day 1 as sleep was not exactly sleep. aftershocks are somewhat intrusive to say the least. or maybe it's the thoughts of having another aftershock that's unsettling. i've not decided what the motto should be: 'god will protect you' or 'god gave you a brain - use it stupid and don't sleep indoors.' but maybe it's peer pressure or lack of a sleeping bag or roaming rabid dogs and tarantulas or stupidity, but we all sleep indoors. the second tremor of the night was a bit like a two alarm firehouse drill - everyone startled awake, sat up in their bunks and debated whether to run for the door or pretend it was ending any second - there was enough delay in our decision that it was made for us.
clinic started with a bang. many injured still pouring in - we reduced a midshaft femur fracture inon an eight year old now 16 days after the quake. i had to rebreak it to reestablish the length and straighten it. his dad carried him home - an hour away.
a beautiful 16 year old girl found was found in the rubble of the local catholic church. she suffered a crush injuries to her arms from the concussive effect of the falling rock and its total weight over two days. the resultant inflammation swelled her arms and cut blood to her distal arm causing a permanent median and ulnar nerve damage in her right arm and only partial in her left. she eagerly learned about the importance of physical therapy.
a priest and nun were buried as well and pulled out alive.
beyond the patients the most enjoyable part of the day was the military. here in this little remote seaside town of grand goave nonetheless. lt. jeff , here on security detail gave me his stateside cell number to call him should we 'need anything'. he said he'll treat it like a '911' call and despite spending nights offshore on their ship, he would have an armed team to us within 15 minutes. that simple bit of knowledge was more comforting than any of us cared to admit.
alfredo, an surgical tech back in the states was originally from cuba. he actually rafted his way to the US fearing a 20 year prison reprisal for 'crimes againt the government'. he helpted me splint several broken extremities, change dressings, bandatge wounds, pray with patients. another haitian -american marine had a conversation with one of my colleagues that went something like this: son, your family still lives in PAP? yes sir. have you heard from them? i've heard from my aunt and niece. (this of course means his mother is dead)......... son are you ok? good to go sir!
the military here is eenthusiastic, energetic, tireless, selfless. they are unbelievable - a true Godsend. they assimilate into the surroundings like their camouflage working side by side with us seeing patients, doing dressing changes, bringing supplies
the haitians seem to be adjusting the the new haiti - don't know if there will ever be a return to the old. approximately 2500 people have had their homes destroyed. no money to rebuild. they're sleeping in this medical/mission compound in a field , which prior to the quake was surrounded by a concrete wall to keep them out and the inside orderly. now they live in 'tents' made of sheets - not very weather worthy. the rainy season starts in 2-3 weeks. the military brought in plastic sheeting making some of the homeowners envious of others.
the long term new haiti plan: build quasi permanent housing for the tent dwellers including a 'sewage system' - the military is helping here as well. currently the inside of the tent is for living, just outside the flap door is for pooping and peeing... and for playing and rolling about and fixing food - we use a lot of betadine here.
the military brought in 5000 mre's to feed the masses - not exactly fishes and loaves but...?? have i mentioned we like the military. shame on anyone for ever directing a negative comment their way. i worked sided by side with a lt. who would drop anything to come protect us.. he spent 8 months in afganistan, 30 days home, then deployed here. the interpreter/medic/smiler/
DAY 3 pregnant haitians
more injuries and wound checks and we're getting a bit tired. last night 2 docs left us heading back to the states - unfortunately one got sick, probably dengue fever. he was exhausted, dehydrated and febrile. dengue's not a fun one to get. it's always interesting starting iv's on your own - the tone changes.
we delievered a baby today - happy, healthy. APGARS of 'we didn't care' - thank God not a lawyer to be found here, nothing against lawyers really :)
a second mother came in completely dilated, ready to push - had a c-section last time as her pelvis was too small to deliever. unreal. i went outside for a minute, ran into more military officers and was introduced to a dr. mike. what's your specialty mike? i do maternal-fetal medicine OB. mike, i want you to meet someone... interesting how that came about. we hadn't called them.. she got evacutated to the ship for a c-section
i just checked mom number three. her twins will be ready to enter the world soon.
cjh
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