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AmyThanks for visiting!
June 04 Accidents Last night there was a pretty big accident at 6:00. Multiple victims, we ended up setting up our 'workspace' at a hospital (picture a 2 room building with beds) across the street. It was totally how I pictured nursing in Haiti, no supplies, no oxygen, no suction, no intubation/surgical trays. Cutting off and through fingers and bones with a pair of suture scissors. Yeah really exciting, sad, dirty, emotional. So needless to say after about 3-4 hours, we had done all we could do and left. God had blessed us with a 2nd doctor who arrived yesterday afternoon so we had some extra hands which was awsome! June 01 Update on WoodlawnI have had the opportunity to connect with 2 nurses from Sick Kids and McMaster hospital burn units. Both nurses have provided a wealth of knowledge, expertise and guidance for me. Although Woodlawn has not healed and I am beginning to doubt that she will heal, her arm is getting better each week. About once a month she has a bad fall which sets us back a bit. But one day she came into the clinic and was sleeping. I almost changed and cleaned her wounds without her waking up. This is a good sign because she is tolerating the procedures better. She used to scream for the whole time I was doing her dressings. With the help of the nurses from home, we have been able to really simplify the dressings so that when I do leave, the nurses here in Haiti should be able to carry through with her treatments. Pray for Woodlawn. I have gotten to know her family quite well. Her dad left last year to go and find work in the DR. This is quite common here in Haiti. But they have not heard from him since he left. Pray that God will lead him back to the family. They live with 7 other family members in a small hut. I know life is a struggle for Woodlin (Wood's mom) as it is for all Haitians. But having a young child with such needs as an extra burden for the family. Pray that they will continue coming to our clinic for help and that they won't seak out a witch doctor. Trip to the citadelYesterday, we had an opportunity to see an old fort here in Haiti. Julie, Dorthy and John, and I along with my friend Wadner took the trip. We had a great day up in the clouds. Please take a look at the pictures. Of course pictures never can take the place of seeing it first hand but it was really neat. We hired a tour guide and got a grand tour. A Sad StoryThanks for Praying... Just a little note to help guide you with prayers... Today a six month old baby boy came to the clinic. He was lethargic but alert (if you can be both at once) he had been vomitting since Sunday. He was a chuby, healthy looking baby boy. Unfortunately after being in our care for 2 1/2 hours and after an hour of CPR, he died. His parents aren't Christians and this little boy was the only child they were able to have. He was a gift they said. Pray for this family. Death is frequent in Haiti and 50% of children don't see their 5th birthday, Death in children is common and expected. But it has rocked this family! For 2 hours after their sons death, the mother wailed! I have been shaken, obviously we tried everything we could to save this young life. The suffering here in Haiti is so great that sometimes it is a relief when you know that people have gone to live with our saviour in a perfect place. Today, God has taken this little life home. There will be no suffering for him, he will be able to run, play, sing and love life. But for those of us left behind, we question - what could have been done differently, what will we (as a nurse and a doctor do differently) if there is a next time, why would God take away such a precious gift of life? This has totally rocked me emotionally. As a nurse death is something we deal with. But I fell in love with this little guy as soon as I laid eyes on him. Surprise, surprise. Yeah so please keep these things in your mind as you pray. Thanks so much for joining me in prayer! Love Amy Little GirlWell today we were on a tap-tap (Haitian truck that acts as a taxi for like 15-20 people at a time). A little girl got on. I guess she was about 7 or 8 years old. She hoped right on said HELLO to all of the people in the back of the truck. Looked at the 2 blancs (whites, Julie and I) and sat down. I was a little worried about this girl getting off the tap-tap at the right spot and that someone would be there to meet her. Five minutes down the road we heard a strong voice say 'Merci Cheaufour' she jumped off the tap-tap and went on her way. I sat there and watched her. Would I let my 7 year old travel alone on the crazy streets of Haiti? No for sure not. I don't think I'd let my kid out of my sight! But this is just one example of survival here in Haiti. As soon as kids are able to do things independently, they are sent on errands and jobs. This was a happy little girl with a sparkle in her eye. When you remember, please pray for the kids of Haiti who have loads of responsibility on their little shoulders. March 02 Camping trip at the beach!So on Friday afternoon after work was finished for the weekend, a group of 10 missionaries and 5 children headed out for a mild adventure. None of us knew exactly where we were going but we were headed to a small beach to camp for the night. After driving for an hour and taking a small taxi boat we arrived at our destination. It was the perfect spot. God knew exactly what we desired but as well as what we needed. We arrived on a beach with plenty of beautiful sand, a few picnic tables and a little grill oh and a very small hut to change in! You couldn't ask for much more in Haiti. It was a bit nippy on Friday afternoon but the kids didn't hesitate jumping into the waves, as well as some adults. We cooked hot dogs, marshmellows and popcorn (who knew you could find marshmellows in Haiti - thanks to people who send care packages, we had marshmellows). It was a wonderful night. We sang songs, played some games, star gazed and did a lot of talking. I felt completely relaxed. It is amazing how we can see the big and little dippers just like the people can at home. This made me feel so connected to home! We laid our sheets down on the ground and headed to bed. It was a cold night! Four of us slept in a row and we battled for the sheets. Next time we'll know to bring more clothes and blankets. We had an early start to our morning. The brave kids and adults were in the water before 6. We sat down to eat our breakfast... popcorn, chocolate, cookies and oranges! to popcorn is made from corn, the cookies had oatmeal in them, chocolate has milk and oranges are fruit so I think we hit all our food groups. We spent the morning in the water swimming and splashing around. It was a great day had by all. I can now say I have camped under the stars at the beach! Take a look at the pictures. We know we will have to do this again! February 05 Medical ChallengesSo each week it seems as though I have a new challenge on my hands. Which is very good. Last week when I got back in Haiti I started caring for Fritznel who is a 13 (we think) year old boy who has had a lot of rouble breathing. His lungs are full of gross, smelly, stickey, thick fluid. Gavin was able to put in a chest tube - Praise God and it was draining well. However the chest tube site (the site where the chest tube goes into the skin) was very infected - not a good thing! Over the past week, there has been no more signs of infection, the drainage at the site and in the tube is minimal and now draining clearish fluids. Praise God. So therefore,we know our treatmen and his healing process is now going in the right direction.
Before leaving Haiti in Jan, our X-Ray machine was broken, we brought back the part with us and hope to get the machine up in running in the next few days. It'll be exciting to see the new x-ray of Fritznel's lung.
Yesterday I ws brough in to consult a 2 year old little darling girl. Her house had been burnt down Jan. 2 2007. Yes, over a year ago. 3 times a week she had been going to a hospital in town to get her dressings changed. When I took off her dressing yesterday, there was really no dressing. Her arm looks absolutely horrible. Her fingers have fallen off and her skin is so tight that it will be permently in a flexed position. There are open wounds on her arm which should have healed by now. Each time I have to remove the dressings and re-due them (3 times a week) will cause extreem pain. Please pray for this little girl. Each time she sees me she will scream. Pray for healing wisdom and patience as I treat her each week. |
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