Monday 2/23

It's the first day of clinics, many patients came yesterday and spent the night in the church and school rooms. The singing began at 3:30 am....yes...am. In spite of the lack of sleep, there is a high level of energy and excitement this morning. We've all heavily caffeinated ourselves, had some breakfast, had our pre-clinic meeting, and we are off and running! It's typical that we are delayed in the morning, waiting for the Haitian Physicians to arrive, due to the transport issues I've mentioned before and the general concept of Haitian time. So, there is a short period of "Hurry up and wait", the physicians arrive, a quick orientation is done, then it's Game On. 

We have survived the first day of clinics. At the debriefing we discovered that we treated 201 patients today, as a team. I'm pretty sure I broke my personal scanning record today. I forgot to mention that Pastor Dellamy decided to announce to the entire congregation, on Sunday, that there was a Sonographer at the clinic this week. Ultrasound is considered good magic in this community, and a rarity, so his announcement was a pretty big deal. I scanned 41 patients today, compared to my busiest day at the hospital back home when I scanned 14 or 15.  There were some interesting cases today, including 2 patients who received exorcisms in the treatment rooms, while our clinicians were treating other patients. No one batted an eye. 

As many people in the medical field know, often to be successful at our jobs, we have to learn to curb or delay our emotions while we are taking care of patients. It's usually a matter of timing and necessity, we cannot break down when we are responsible for caring for another human being, especially if it may interfere with our ability to do so. I've been known to cry with a patient before, over the loss of an unborn child or a terminal diagnosis, but I've been struggling off and on all day over a particular patient. This patient was not even mine, and I have been debating whether or not to share the experience, but I am hoping it will give some insight to why we are here. I think it's so important that those of you giving financial support to organizations like MTI and HFH know that your money is being well spent. We have a Pediatric Specialist on the team, so we are seeing a lot of children this week. I was standing outside of my ultrasound room this morning, before I was assigned any patients, and I was immediately drawn to a woman carrying a small boy. She laid him on an exam table, to wait for her turn with the pediatrician, and I knew the boy had Cerebral Palsy. For those of you who may not know, my nephew has CP with ataxia, and I have a very special connection and love with that kid. To be honest, he could probably set my house on fire, and I would praise him for his dexterity in using matches! :) I went over to the mother to say hello, and to meet her little boy. When I placed my hand on his head, he turned to look up at me, and gave me the most breathtaking, heart warming smile. The kind of smile my nephew gives me. So many emotions hit me at once, that I could barely keep it together. My sister works so unbelievably hard to get my nephew therapy and education, in order to give him the opportunity to grow into a functional, independent adult. It's an epic struggle, and we live in a country with a myriad of resources. The resources in Haiti are so limited, and sometimes nonexistent, in comparison. What will become of this beautiful boy and his adoring mother? How much worse would it have been if we did not have this incredible Pediatrician coming to Haiti (multiple times a year, for almost 20 years!), to give this family even the most basic therapy options? I apologize for this being such a long winded story, but I am unable to stop thinking about this boy and his mom. The Haitians love to have their picture taken, and when I asked them if I could take his photo, I was rewarded with another smile that got bigger when I showed him his picture. I'm overwhelmed by the combination of homesickness and missing my nephew so very much, and being (continually) so grateful and overjoyed that I am able to contribute to this community. I'm signing off, in hopes of getting some sleep after this wonderful, exhausting day. Thanks for listening. Bon Nwit.