Gratitude...

Well, I am finally home. It is a good feeling to be home. I am full of gratitude for all the wonderful people in my life, not to mention a house, food, and oh so many things. It's hard to leave Haiti, but necessary.
As I drove through town on my way to the airport, I saw the beginnings of renewal of the town & the people. I can't express how amazing the Haitian people are to watch & speak with each day. Now- there are so many tent villages set up and still the shanty houses remain along the road. I watch the women sweep the street with a sense of pride. Life goes on. The "street markets" are bustling with lots of bartering of food items and clothing. If this were the US- I can only think that many would still be drowning in the misery of it all. Prayer is powerful in this part of the world. On the ship, each day as I made rounds & spoke with the children & families- they would all say "Ca va bien" to how they are doing- "good, well". There was no complaining for what happened, no bitter feeling to their "God"- just more prayers. Many had bibles & read them to pass the time.
There is a very long road to recovery, make no mistake......so much more to be done.
Friday, we left the ship & spent 10 hrs on the tarmack waiting to get our Navy transport to Florida. It was 100 degrees; we had a decent amount of walking to do, and ended up at the Air Force tent camp to wait for our plane. I do not know how the military can tolerate hot temperatures day in and day out with no relief. The tents were stiffling, the food- MRE's, and the rainy season starts any day.....there is no escaping this place for a better place for the troops. For about 2 hours we were given an air cooled tent to rest inside- I fell asleep- it was heaven!
So- to make a long story short- we boarded a C-40A convoy- it is like a 737. And of all things, the pilot invited me to join him in the cockpit as they landed the plane-what a treat!!! The view of sunset was breathtaking up there in the sky. It was the perfect ending to an amazing journey. I feel so priviledged to have served in this mission and again, I thank all of you so much for all the support that I felt (and needed) during my time away from home.

Full Circle

Well, we are winding down our mission. As we continue to discharge as many patients as possible, the Navy is getting ready to make plans to leave soon. I was so happy to be able to accompany some of my patients to shore today. We take a Navy boat into Port au Prince dock & put the kids on transportation to various orphanages or medical facilities. I do believe in my heart that these are good placements for them. One in particular, Emmanuel, was able to have his mom with him- they are all that remain in their family. His mom printed a beautiful letter to all the staff- we saw her writing for about the last 4 days- didn't know what she was so busy doing with the translators. She wrote it in Creole & then had them translate it so she caould give it to us. That little boy lost most of his right side of his face- but with his rebuilt nose & injuries healing, he is doing really well. His mother's words that stay with me are: "I can't stop say thank you and thank you very much". She quoted the Bible, in Psalms 46- "God is our refuge & strength, and ever present help in trouble"- how true.
So, we find out time coming to a close. Some many wonderful people that I have worked along side- trying to just do a little something to ease the pain & raise the spirits. What a wonderful journey this was for me....
I should be heading home in a few days.
One other note- I had the unique experience of feeling an earthquake during the night- actually 2, but one was pretty strong- I was glad I was on the ship (-:

Somewhere Between Here & There.....

We arrived back to port last night after our short trip "out to sea". It was surreal to be up on the deck last eve- a beautiful sunset, cool breezes & clean very blue water. You could close your eyes & dream of being on a cruise. That was much needed for many of the medical staff on board. The staff I work with are sharing many stories now of the events that have touched their lives....many of these stories & pictures are tragic. I try to be a caregiver of the caregivers. They have endured unimaginable things that we can hardly comprehend. I am here for just a short time & am happy to be at the phase where kids are recovering. I am down to about 9 kids on the ward. They are all getting better which makes me so happy. We have a little boy who lost a leg & an arm & had a wound on his only foot that started to look bad...I couldn't even imagine what life would be for him if he lost it- today he went to surgery & is improving. Thank God.
I am struck by how hard the earthquake has been especially for the teenagers on our unit....some of them have serious injuries, but all will recover. Yet, they remain very quiet & difficult to engage. My goal is to make 1 more teen smile each day. I greet them in my best French; most can understand & I hug them- it works wonders.
I have watched a 16 yo teen who had aweful facial injuries get better & she now sees how beautiful she still is!!!
The pediatricians that I work with from U Mass & North Carolina are fantastic & I am learning so much.
I have asked to go on a transport tomorrow & will see what happens. We plan on discharging about 5 kids tomorrow to the mainland & have found good places for their recovery. Well, it is chow time- gotta run.
I have read your emails & blog comments & I am humbled by your responses.
Have a good night!

Anchors Away.......

So today, we are out to sea to replenish fuel & supplies. We left at 3pm & will take 6 hrs to go to our resting point for the night. Tomorrow morning @6am, they will begin the transfer of fuel & supplies from another barge that is nearly as long as the Comfort- 3 football fields long! I put on my Scopalamine patch & feel fine so far.
The weather today was so sunny & beautiful- maybe around 90 degrees- I have no idea because I do not have TV or radio for the news or weather. We do get to see a bit of the Olympics. I was thinking about how surreal it is when I go up on the deck & just gaze out over the Caribbean- one would never know that I am looking at a poor, broken country land.
Things on the ward are going very well- we took on 5 new patients yesterday & they all have fractured legs & other injuries. This morning in our rounds I heard that there is no more metal available on the Comfort to mend bones. We have gone thru over 9 million dollars in metal work. One bright note- we had a young girl, maybe 13 whose mom was missing somewhere on land for care. The family was united & it was amazing because the mother had some major crush injuries, but was able to shield her other child, a baby, with her body & the little 3 month old was perfect.

TGIF....

So, today once again they have allowed me to cover peds. We had 4 new patients come aboard for surgery. All have major fractures that are stabilized with metal rods/equipment. I am amazed at how well they do after the surgery. They will be transported back to the mainland for follow-up care. Also, today, one of our kids left for Miami for future care. Today I had the opportunity to meet Dr Lindsey, a plastics?ENT surgeon. Her dad is a friend of my brother-in-law & we had a great chat. Her work on these children, on their faces is beautiful...she is reconstructing noses, cheeks, eyes- she is a true angel.
The weather has been hot & a few times a day, I go above onto the deck & enjoy some air & sunshine. I think we are going out to sea on Sunday- there was a delay until the Navy made sure that the Haitians understood what was going on for re-supplying & that in fact we plan on returning with the ship & their people who are on the ship. The Navy seems to be aware of the importance of demonstarting good will & not exerting their will for the country. I continue to practice my French. I will never get the hang of Creole.
I will leave you with a small story. Last eve, I made rounds to make sure that the kids had pain med orders, IV fluids, and anything else to try to make them happy. The ;last child I visited - when I asked is there anything else I can do for him tonite, he replied "Yes- I need a house". Well- needless to say, that was a low point for me.
Todays a new day & we continue to work on making a difference for the children of Haiti.

Another Day in the Life of the USNS Comfort

I am settling into a routine. The morning revilee blasts at 5:30- most of you know that this is not my favorite time of day!!! I get to breakfast ( by the way, I am eternally grateful for the honest to God Starbuck coffee!!!) & then it is off to a briefing called POD- Plan of the Day for all medical providers. Today, I actually had responsibility for 3 patients. One of my little "charges" was a child with a facial crush injury. Only his mommmy & he survived. They had to re-construct a nose for him & he actually looks pretty good. he is our "mayor"- walks around waving & smiling to everyone. he is truely amazing.....My second patient had a very complex arm fracture & he is getting better & has dressing changes each day with anesthesia- He is doing pretty good. He is 14, and his brother stays with him who is 25 yrs old. They have 4 brothers & 3 other sisters- a family of 9 kids like me so I can identify. Unfortunately, both parents died. They are delightful. Finally, I had a young teenage girl of about 14 who is very quiet- also fractures due to crushing concrete etc. Each day is mostly predictable. I am learning so much about the culture of Haiti, culture of the Navy & oh, yeah- medical-surgical problems related to the earthquake. We have seen tetanus, typhoid fever, & many other crazy things.
Today- I felt the movement of the ship for the first time....I understand we may go "out to sea" this weekend for taking on new fuel, water, 7 supplies- should be real interesting for someone who gets "car sick". Last night, for Ash Wednesday I had ashes placed on my forehead from Haiti-That had special significance for me.
Oh- the food is amazingly good- I have had the best rice krispie treats for dessert most nights- almost as good as tommy & Lindsay's wedding cake.
I read your comments- they are a life line for me away from home. Thanks so much- I appreciate it. So- that's today. TTYL

First Day on the USNS Comfort

After arriving yesterday afternoon, we had dinner & evening report. Bed time came early in my new home- my "birth"- I share a room with 3 other women- my team leader, Christina; a radiologist , and another doc. Lights are out by 10pm which is just fine as "morning relleve (?) sounds at 5:30am- ouch! We had early breakfast, orientation & finally off to the wards to see patients by mid-day. I am stationed with the peds ward- census is way down to about 12 patients- but quite severe injuries. We had a child helicoptered in this afternoon with a skull fx and a broken leg which happened with the earthquake- they are still just showing up! I have several kids with fractures/amputations/broken backs with new rods placed/ serious infections/ and a pretty new baby who is gorgeous. There is a child who had a major facial reconstruction and multiple fx. Finally, there is a ''john doe"- he is formally called- Johnny D who was dropped off & has no family claiming him. Turns out besides his injuries, he has cancer of his eye & orbit- had surgery & will recover minus an eye. I am learning so much & hope that I can contribute to provide good care to these children. There are 3 pediatricians and I am working along side 2 other Navy PNP's which is wonderful.
The ship folks are incredibly welcoming. This whole operation is called Operation Unified Response & it is strictly a humanitarian mission- not a "military" mission. I have had a chance to see what wonderful things our Navy has done for the people of Haiti. I have listened to many horrific medical stories from the staff who is just starting to decompress. Tonite, we will have a final briefing @7pm as we do every nite.
Tomorrow is another day on the peds ward...I hope at some time to go ashore to see patients. The Comfort is in a transition phase & trying to discharge all its patients as soon as possible over the next week or two.

Almost there....

Meet the press, BWI airport, & off to Jacksonville, Florida where we were welcomed by the USO office at the airport. Two wonderful sailors, stationed in really Puerto Rico, accompanied us to the hotel for the night. This morning it is breakfast & a 9am briefing scheduled...then a flight into Port au Prince, Haiti. I understand that a boat will take us out to the Comfort. There are many NGO's at the hotel- Project HOPE, RNRN- National Nurses United Association, and University of Michigan, etc,etc,etc.... Lots of high energy & excitement from everyone wanting to make a difference. Just want to start work- I think!

Finally, it's official!!!!

Yesterday, we received word that a team will deploy from JHH to work jointly with the Navy. Final preparations now begin for our team. Sunday, we will travel to Jacksonville, Florida , spend one night and then on to Haiti & the USNS Comfort. We are a team of 4, lead by our fearless leader, Dr. Christina Catlett who is the Associate Director of JHH Office of Critical Event Preparedness and Response (CEPAR)..... Stayed tuned!

More waiting....

So yesterday afternoon, I received word that another team will be deployed with JHH & I am on the list of team members. Papers were signed to formally agree to be a part of this mission, malaria prophalaxis continues, and more packing!!! PPD has been read and HIV testing done today. There are so many safeguards that need to be in place in traveling to Haiti. And now I wait some more- which is okay. I am waiting in my house, with my family and have all the water, food, and electricity that anyone could want. This is not a problem!