Then about 9:30ish 3 more trauma patients came in via something. There was a bad motorcycle accident at a nearby market. I guess 2 motorcycles got together (probably head on). One young man died (has a young family) and 3 came here. One of the 3 (a young man) coded on them, he also lost his left eye (I think it's the same one?) and is a friend of one of our interpreters. So that kept the docs busier than Fridays normally are. They didn't get back to the house tonight till after 10 and Dr Rudolph had 2 more surgeries to go. Rudy said they did over 40 procedures this week.
Fortunately, incoming PT really slows up by the end of the week so Jennifer was able to help with the traumas. Today was more than they hoped for.
I started off by hooking up the generator in the guest house to turn the refrigerator on and then I took 2 of the maintenance guys and the swimmer back down to the reservoir to attempt the power restoration process. They rigged up a 25' piece of chain link fence rail with a pitch fork jammed in the end for our sea weed rake. Tossed it on top of the truck and off we were. They were not happy campers to be messing with this again, but they did because I was there. After about an hour of them dragging sea weed out, I hiked down to the hydro with the operator, and boy was that a hike! My grand canyon hike prepared me for this one (although this one was much shorter but more difficult). It's too bad the whole group wasn't able to go this afternoon because of the traumas that came in, since the scenery was awesome with huge white boulders in the valley. Unfortunately my camera broke yesterday :-( Anyway, the operator opened the main valve, threw the switch and walla, we had power. Not sure if the seaweed had anything to do with it or not, but it's on now.
Later in the afternoon some of the group played frisbee with a few of the staff/helpers in the courtyard. And I finally was able to put my cart of crutch parts away. Then around 5:45 we had some more fun outside in the courtyard. Hopefully the docs won't read this part, because we took 2 of the recovery patients and did a barrel race across the lawn. We had been trying to get them more active and outside all week for therapy. Somehow I don't think barrel racing is in the normal PT script. And I really hope they don't try that when we're gone...especially the one with the external fixator!
What do you know, but they didn't forget about my engagement testimony, so we did that after we ate. I guess I don't mind sharing it since one of my prayers was for a marriage of faith as a testimony to others. So I need to be willing now. Then the midwest girls and I went back to the hospital and sang 2 songs to baby David's family before heading back to the house to pack, shower (you just don't get use to those cold showers) and get ready for a 4:45 morning departure...boy am I envious, but being with family the next 2 days will help.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Friday (cont.)
Everyone reported to their medical places. The update on the 36 yr old mother is questionable. Reuben just walked in and so we went to see her. Not sure if she's septic, destroyed liver (from delivery) or what and it's frustrating to the doctors that the equipment and supplies can't allow them to do what they want. The next few days will determine if she survives and if she does, whether she will have a sound mind. She does open her eyes sometimes, sleeps a lot, but her husband says that she recognizes him and her vitals are ok, so that's good. The father hasn't left her side. He looks like a hard-working responsible individual with a very concerned look in his eyes. He said they came from another clinic in Baraderes up on the coast where they went to first and then by ambulance here. The ride is a very difficult 2+ hr trip over large rock. No wonder the baby made it out :-( The girls named the cute little boy David. They wanted a "courageous" name. Many of us have shed a few tears down that wing of the hospital. I had a 10 minute conversation with the father through an interpreter. He said if his wife lives, he thanks God first and certainly the doctors.
Friday
When we thought we had seen sufficient...it was the warm up.
So the power was off all night and by 9:15 am they still hadn't turned the generator on for the hospital, but soon after. For breakfast our cook apparently included some laundry detergent or dish soap or dish water??? in the large pot of oatmeal she made us. Believe it or not a couple of us didn't really notice (me being one, just Haitian oatmeal!). But once someone mentioned it, you could definitely taste it strong. We'll never know what it was. We all felt bad with bowls of dished up cereal. Jill was just stirring in more sugar - how polite. Noah tried to tell our cook with a dictionary, but we figured she would bring him some soap to put in his cereal! She really did a good job throughout the week, so one mistake is allowed.
The whole group went up to at least part of morning devotion. The scripture was II Samuel 22, a beautiful psalm of David about God's faithfulness shortly before he died. They went about 1/2 hr long this morning. Not sure if that was because it was our last day or what. They thanked us for coming and offering assistance with a very warm heartfelt thanks. I shared with them that "Great is Thy Faithfulness" is my all time favorite hymn and the message I leave them with, to which they spontaneously sang it with energy.
So the power was off all night and by 9:15 am they still hadn't turned the generator on for the hospital, but soon after. For breakfast our cook apparently included some laundry detergent or dish soap or dish water??? in the large pot of oatmeal she made us. Believe it or not a couple of us didn't really notice (me being one, just Haitian oatmeal!). But once someone mentioned it, you could definitely taste it strong. We'll never know what it was. We all felt bad with bowls of dished up cereal. Jill was just stirring in more sugar - how polite. Noah tried to tell our cook with a dictionary, but we figured she would bring him some soap to put in his cereal! She really did a good job throughout the week, so one mistake is allowed.
The whole group went up to at least part of morning devotion. The scripture was II Samuel 22, a beautiful psalm of David about God's faithfulness shortly before he died. They went about 1/2 hr long this morning. Not sure if that was because it was our last day or what. They thanked us for coming and offering assistance with a very warm heartfelt thanks. I shared with them that "Great is Thy Faithfulness" is my all time favorite hymn and the message I leave them with, to which they spontaneously sang it with energy.
Thursday (cont.)
I should also mention. I wish I could capture all the little miracles that have been happening daily, like for example, this afternoon Heather & Max spent a fair amount of time sorting the mirage of sutures. Little did they know that was going to help out a few hours later. And so on...
Thursday (cont.)
Heather, Jeana & I headed back to the house while the rest continued the evening rounds. As we walked out the front hospital entrance, there was a van backed up to the gate. I noticed a lady lying on a mattress in the back and several people with her. I commented to the girls, "I wonder if she is coming or going". They thought this time of night, probably coming. We didn't think any more about it as we walked up the road. About half way home we met one of the translators and he informed me that...
I forgot to mention that when the power came back on around 6:30 pm (so we ate in dimness again), it was only partial power, so they decided to turn on the big caterpillar generator.
So the translator informed us that something was wrong with the large generator because it shuts off on its own after awhile. He said he'll look at it tomorrow. As we were visiting and slowly walking back towards the hospital (looking for tarantulas :-)), we saw someone with a flashlight running towards us very fast. When they got closer, it was Bethann and Amy shouting, "Come quick! There is an emergency c-section!" So we ran as fast as possible back to the hospital. We would have been all the way to the guest house settled in, had we not been delayed (very unusual). When we reached the entrance, we saw a 36 yr old woman lying face down on the mat right inside the door with the baby & placenta wrapped in a blanket by her feet. The baby boy was born just as they unloaded her. She was half conscience with blood all over and even coming out her mouth a little. All the rest of the crew was already gathered around checking her vitals. The Haitian hospital staff was there also with several medical students. I had the brightest flashlight, so I was the light pole then I also grabbed some gloves and became the IV pole. Dr Rudy took a team with the baby down to the clinic while several helped lift the mother onto a gurney. Her SAT was only 84, so we grabbed a hand bagger. She kept fighting us so some ran down to the surgery and got additional supplies while others restrained her with ace wrap and a PT belt. Dr Ruben was working on drugging her up while Dr Noah was directing, Heather was working on another IV with a couple Haitians, Jill was monitoring the pulse and SATs and restraining. I can't even remember what everyone was doing in the huttle, but everyone was doing something! We immediately got her SAT (hope I'm saying that right, O2 level) up to 98, but her blood pressure was 160. We found out later that there was diabetes in the family. They thought maybe she was something eclampsia? (it's getting too late to think). Dr Rudy said they get one about every 3 mos. They lost a baby this past January during that. We eventually took the mother back to the clinic and cleaned her up. The baby seemed to be doing fine. The nurses cleaned him up and Jill even got to hold him and fed him some formula! He was full term and looked decent size. So that makes 3 babies born the same day. The only 3 since we've been here (I think). We'll see how they are doing in the morning. I'm just hoping that I can get out of here now. I may have to wake a guard up again or find a gurney!
I forgot to mention that when the power came back on around 6:30 pm (so we ate in dimness again), it was only partial power, so they decided to turn on the big caterpillar generator.
So the translator informed us that something was wrong with the large generator because it shuts off on its own after awhile. He said he'll look at it tomorrow. As we were visiting and slowly walking back towards the hospital (looking for tarantulas :-)), we saw someone with a flashlight running towards us very fast. When they got closer, it was Bethann and Amy shouting, "Come quick! There is an emergency c-section!" So we ran as fast as possible back to the hospital. We would have been all the way to the guest house settled in, had we not been delayed (very unusual). When we reached the entrance, we saw a 36 yr old woman lying face down on the mat right inside the door with the baby & placenta wrapped in a blanket by her feet. The baby boy was born just as they unloaded her. She was half conscience with blood all over and even coming out her mouth a little. All the rest of the crew was already gathered around checking her vitals. The Haitian hospital staff was there also with several medical students. I had the brightest flashlight, so I was the light pole then I also grabbed some gloves and became the IV pole. Dr Rudy took a team with the baby down to the clinic while several helped lift the mother onto a gurney. Her SAT was only 84, so we grabbed a hand bagger. She kept fighting us so some ran down to the surgery and got additional supplies while others restrained her with ace wrap and a PT belt. Dr Ruben was working on drugging her up while Dr Noah was directing, Heather was working on another IV with a couple Haitians, Jill was monitoring the pulse and SATs and restraining. I can't even remember what everyone was doing in the huttle, but everyone was doing something! We immediately got her SAT (hope I'm saying that right, O2 level) up to 98, but her blood pressure was 160. We found out later that there was diabetes in the family. They thought maybe she was something eclampsia? (it's getting too late to think). Dr Rudy said they get one about every 3 mos. They lost a baby this past January during that. We eventually took the mother back to the clinic and cleaned her up. The baby seemed to be doing fine. The nurses cleaned him up and Jill even got to hold him and fed him some formula! He was full term and looked decent size. So that makes 3 babies born the same day. The only 3 since we've been here (I think). We'll see how they are doing in the morning. I'm just hoping that I can get out of here now. I may have to wake a guard up again or find a gurney!
Thursday (cont.)
You would think these mosquitoes would get the hint after killing a dozen of their siblings :-(
Then in the afternoon, I spent a few hours organizing, repairing and assembling crutches. I think there were about 10% in the PT room that were complete. What a dirty mess. Most items (splints, crutches, walkers, canes) have seen miles of dusty roads.
One of the highlights of the day came around 1 pm when I was obliviously working on my crutches up front and a set of twins were born! They said the mother didn't know, but the babies looked a healthy 6 lbs or so. I didn't even hear about it till the evening meal when we enjoyed chicken, rice, slaw and cooked beet/potato salad (it's one of my favorite dishes).
The midwest girls, Jennifer, Sheila & I sat around the living room while Jill Maibach shared her engagement testimony with us. I talked her into it with the agreement that I would do the same, but then the docs came back and another vendor came to the door selling table clothes and the topics got changed, so I didn't have to. We'll see if they remember :-)
While the CA crew went back up to do their evening rounds, the midwest girls and I did another evening of singing in the ER and in-patient areas. We were doing some sing-a-long with the patients when the lights went out around 9:15 pm. The girls decided to continue singing in the almost dark for another 15 min. I was impressed with their singing by memory!
Then in the afternoon, I spent a few hours organizing, repairing and assembling crutches. I think there were about 10% in the PT room that were complete. What a dirty mess. Most items (splints, crutches, walkers, canes) have seen miles of dusty roads.
One of the highlights of the day came around 1 pm when I was obliviously working on my crutches up front and a set of twins were born! They said the mother didn't know, but the babies looked a healthy 6 lbs or so. I didn't even hear about it till the evening meal when we enjoyed chicken, rice, slaw and cooked beet/potato salad (it's one of my favorite dishes).
The midwest girls, Jennifer, Sheila & I sat around the living room while Jill Maibach shared her engagement testimony with us. I talked her into it with the agreement that I would do the same, but then the docs came back and another vendor came to the door selling table clothes and the topics got changed, so I didn't have to. We'll see if they remember :-)
While the CA crew went back up to do their evening rounds, the midwest girls and I did another evening of singing in the ER and in-patient areas. We were doing some sing-a-long with the patients when the lights went out around 9:15 pm. The girls decided to continue singing in the almost dark for another 15 min. I was impressed with their singing by memory!
Thursday (cont.)
I am publishing in multiple posts, so I don't risk losing everything when the power goes back out.
Anyway, I also spent some time having fun with several children by introducing them to "bubbles". I know, hard work, but someone has to do it. Without fail, when I first blew the bubbles the children were a bit intimidated, until they realized they were harmless. Then they would giggle and try to catch them. Sheila has little sample bottles, so I leave it with the children. (and then the adults all ask me for one!) I also played frisbee a bit with Gene in a wheel chair. He's so delightful. Another little boy (less then 1 yr old) was sitting in an adult wheel chair with his legs hanging over the edge for over 4 hours!! At least every time I walked by he was there. He was a cute little guy. I have no idea how he didn't fall out - not strapped in, probably just scared stiff? I know my little guy would have been on his head in less than 30 sec.
I think the first surgery today was one of the translator's mother (the carpel tunnel repair one).
On our way back for lunch it started to sprinkle, so we did some quick "bartering" with the vendors before eating. The rain helped bring the prices down faster. For example, I got a little hand carved wood world globe (sorry, more junk, Honey) that started out at $25 for $10. For lunch we had ham, fried spam, goat cheese (it was very good, though I think import), slaw, bread (a lot of home-made bread, just like at home :-))... We usually eat in shifts, because the docs come whenever they get finished or take a break.
Anyway, I also spent some time having fun with several children by introducing them to "bubbles". I know, hard work, but someone has to do it. Without fail, when I first blew the bubbles the children were a bit intimidated, until they realized they were harmless. Then they would giggle and try to catch them. Sheila has little sample bottles, so I leave it with the children. (and then the adults all ask me for one!) I also played frisbee a bit with Gene in a wheel chair. He's so delightful. Another little boy (less then 1 yr old) was sitting in an adult wheel chair with his legs hanging over the edge for over 4 hours!! At least every time I walked by he was there. He was a cute little guy. I have no idea how he didn't fall out - not strapped in, probably just scared stiff? I know my little guy would have been on his head in less than 30 sec.
I think the first surgery today was one of the translator's mother (the carpel tunnel repair one).
On our way back for lunch it started to sprinkle, so we did some quick "bartering" with the vendors before eating. The rain helped bring the prices down faster. For example, I got a little hand carved wood world globe (sorry, more junk, Honey) that started out at $25 for $10. For lunch we had ham, fried spam, goat cheese (it was very good, though I think import), slaw, bread (a lot of home-made bread, just like at home :-))... We usually eat in shifts, because the docs come whenever they get finished or take a break.
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