Good evening to all on Wednesday night,
Last night after I closed we all had dinner in our room – delicious beef jerky, tuna and crackers, trail mix and cokes. Actually, we were all mostly full from lunch and the snacks hit the spot. So with full bellies we launched into a game of tootsie roll Texas Hold-em and a quick game of bull-$#!t before the lights went out on our little party. We missed you Jenny!
The excitement apparently started after the lights went out. The ladies heard something scurry through their dorm at some point, apparently being chased by the dog outside, who attempted to dig his way in in pursuit. There was a prolonged dog fight out back and then all the dogs ran down the hill barking after something??? And at 2 am some dumber than usual roosters apparently thought it was 4:36. Luckily, there hearts were not really in it and they stopped quickly. No worries though because again at precisely 4:36 the real thing started up. Jeff, you are really missing out! Needless to say most did not get such a great night sleep and are dragging a bit today. It’s unfortunate because the weather was quite cool after all the rain yesterday.
This morning another contingent left for the next bush clinic in La Plat which was apparently farther than expected and not well prepared for their arrival but all went well, many patients were treated and all made it there and back safely.
Jil traded with Lindsay in the school today and got a taste of ornery school kids when they are bored. Lindsay joined her mom Carey in the eye clinic with Dr. Asa and Kitty was happy to be back in the general clinic. Caleb was again proving to be an invaluable member of the team as Mr. Fix-Everything – a vehicle today. (Sorry Jeff, you now have competition.) I think they would like to make him their indentured servant. Don’t worry Heather, we will be sure he is home in time to start college in the fall!
Clinic here was again relatively low key but the theme was pus, pus and more pus! In fact, the sign out front now says Pus r Us. After clinic we were treated to Haitian soup for lunch – a mix of all the leftovers in a very tasty broth over rice. So far nobody is spending too much time in the water closet, but if so we have meds for that!
After lunch we went for a nice walk down at the river and can’t help but think, what a tropical paradise this could be for visitors if only the people would take better care of their country – a problem with no easy answer and well beyond the scope of our focus. That said, I can only imagine how much healthier the population would be if conditions were just a bit more sanitary here. I must say the short walk on the dusty, rocky road gives us just a little perspective of what our patients travel, sometimes hours, just to visit the clinic. We must always keep this in mind and do our best for them after such a journey.
After our walk we found shady spot where the breeze was blowing and we listened to the raucous crowd in the dining hall watching soccer on Blaud’s flat screen. They love their Football in Haiti – just another expression of the passion of these people.
As we were enjoying some nice conversation around 6 PM, Blaud approached us with news of an urgent patient down the hill with prostate problems, an in-dwelling foley catheter and in terrible pain, unable to pass urine. Have I mentioned, I am STILL just a Pediatrician. So, I went down the hill….thankfully with Kitty, Carey, Kiki and Jil to see what could be done. How many health professionals does it take to replace a foley in an elderly man with prostate problems? Apparently 5, when one is a pediatrician. I have not placed a catheter in an adult in over 20 years but in this case I must say I acquitted myself well, managing to get the balloon past the prostate, into the bladder and was rewarded with liquid gold and most importantly a relieved patient. Beyond that, he needed the help of providers that actually take care of ADULTS!!! What a team we make!
In this case it turns out pediatric patients really are little adults…minus the larger equipment.
Anyway, once the proper plumbing was restored (beat that Caleb), we were treated to a group of children dancing and singing. For all you Jewish folk, you will be amazed to know they even broke into a Haitian version of “Zoom Gali Gali”…. who would have thought? Once we rejoined the group, we all hiked up the bluff again and enjoyed the refreshing cool breeze while being entertained continuously by the singing children – our shadows wherever we wander. For those from trip number one, this brings back many memories of evenings on the roof with the children. I can only hope they are well now, but must accept that I may never know….
Well, we are now back from our hike and dining for the evening, preparing for a nice cool and maybe drier night. Wish us safe travels as much of our team will embark on a bush clinic tomorrow. There is some nervous anticipation but I feel certain that this team can handle whatever is thrown at it. For tonight we will enjoy the cool air and the singing children.
Will write again tomorrow with more tales.
Love to all,
The Team