Team Renew Day 8

Before I talk about our last day here working, I need to recap yesterday evening after we posted. We went to see the hydroplant with the waterfalls where Bonne Fin makes their own power to support the hospital. The hike is steep down to the falls, but well-worth the view. The reserviour is actually run by the hospital employees, and the one manning it only in his boxers showed them where the water comes in and how it works to produce energy. Megan, Geoff, and our new friend Heather were going to hike on but then returned so as not to leave JoAnn with the man in his underwear. Back at the guest house, we ate dinner and then went back up to the hospital with the intention of evaluating a new admission patient with an SCI. While there, we learned about his 3 month hospital stay and evaluated his multiple stage 4 wounds--his greater trochanters were exposed on both sides. After dressing his wounds, we were ready to start the ASIA exam when a man came stumbling in covered in blood and on the verge of passing out. The team acted quickly to get the patient on a bed, assessed, and localized the source of injury--a gun shot wound to his neck. June and JoAnn were in the heart of the action along with Dr. B...the man is very lucky to have had such a great well-trained American team there as the ED Haitian team was a bit on the slower side to respond (which is an understatement!). Geoff was in there as well--Megan and I ran for supplies as needed. Several hours later when he was stable, we headed home. We were relieved to hear this morning that he was still stable and going to make it. He was very lucky that the bullet missed his spinal cord and vital vascular structures in his neck. The event occurred when 2 people collaborated to steal his motorcycle; what a sad event for this man! This morning, we packed up all our luggage, everything June needed to transport, and several Haitians and other Americans we needed to bring back with us. It was more like a 3-D jigsaw puzzle. We finished the ASIA exam we started yesterday and made recommendations for this man. In the States, he would have probably been independent with transfers and all basic mobility at this point. Currently, he's been supine for 3 months and has wounds that would need flaps if he were in a more-developed healthcare system. June is working to get him into a rehab program here, and that will be his best shot at a life in the future. We returned to Les Cayes, and made sure we stopped at the sewing center to pick up some gifts and sourvineres...I think JoAnn was most relieved as she was very concerned about getting there:) They certainly make some beautiful hand-made gifts, and the purchases go to help Haitian women support their families--a win-win. Back at June's, we had a yummy lunch of chicken and rice and then the team headed down to see the 15 patients already outside...most of whom we had seen on Monday and were back for rechecks, but many who just heard we were going to be here again. Megan got to try out her sewing skill making a sling out of a pillow case and some velcro...she was so impressed with her work she is thinking about purchasing one for home! We're finishing up some down time at June's, and then we're back to Seed to pack up and be ready for our early morning transport back to Port au Prince, our fist step on the journey home. It's been an amazing experience, and I think we've all enjoyed the work we've been able to do. The Haitian team is very appreciative of all we do, and June as a person is very inspirational in all the work she does here. Hopefully, this won't be our last opportunity to work with her. Thanks to all who have been following our journey and supporting us along the way!

Team Renew- Day 7

We started out our last full day at Hospital Lumiere the same as yesterday, with breakfast and devotional, followed by treating patients bedside. We were surprised by June bursting in to the hospital in Haitian surgical gear, telling us to hurry if we want to observe an above knee amputation. The young, brave gentleman who rode with us to Bonne Fin had a congenital deformity resulting in a smaller, non-functional left leg. Although he impressively maneuvered using only a long stick, he would have a more functional gait with a prosthetic device. We all discovered that surgical conditions are very different in Haiti, but I'm sure he felt more comfortable with Dr. Belding operating, who is our surgeon housemate with an infection rate of zero. After wrapping up the observation, we finished seeing our patients with enough time to check out some more amazing scenery. We will be heading out to the water reservoir, where they apparently have beautiful waterfalls. We'll fill you in the on the details tomorrow :)

Team Renew Day 6

The day started with breakfast and devotion @ 730 am. We then got started seeing patients. Geoff and I hit the ground running, as today was a bit easier since we already knew the patients and their diagnoses. We treated mostly orthopedic injuries. Jenny and JoAnn decided they would give blood as the hospital is in dire need. Some patients don't receive transfusions as needed because of the lack of certain blood type availability. In the afternoon Geoff and I headed to a home health visit, while Jenny and JoAnn saw the last few patients for the day. When we arrived at the preachers home. We found that his wife had had her stroke in May 2009. She has residual deficits of a non-functioning left upper extremity and left foot drop. We were able to recommend a custom AFO, which she will be fitted for at June's clinic, as well as a resting hand splint. Surprisingly, her PROM is within functional limits in her left arm and leg. Her husband has been great with completing PROM daily. After dinner we went and saw Jimmy's house, garden, and bees/hives. We watched him put the bees to sleep with a smoldering wood anaesthesia, and then reach in the hive bare handed and pull out honeycomb. It was delicious. We then hiked all the way up the mountain to lookout point to see out as far as the ocean. What a breathtaking view. Gods beauty shines through in so many ways in a country that has so little. I have never met people more richer in heart than Haitians. Thanks for your continued thoughts and prayers. Megan

Team Renew Day 5

Our rooster friend let us sleep in a bit this morning but still ensured we were up well before June was coming by to get us. After a delicious breakfast, we climbed in the Land Rover and headed toward Bonne Fin to Hospital Lumiere. June joked that we couldn't fit anymore Americans but at least 5 more Haitians comfortably. Between us, our bags, 2 patients, and their families, it was a tight squeeze but nothing compared to the taxis or tap-taps as they're called that pack 20 people in benches lining a pick up truck. Usually there are a few hangin off the back as well. We'll have to add a picture later because it's an unimaginable sight! Hospital Luminere is run primarily by volunteers here in intervals. We have the pleasure of working with a surgeon from South Carolina and his wife, the honorary PT Tech who performs PT with patients when June isn't here. We also have a nurse who wants to become a PT who is translating for us and learning along the way. JoAnn and I were very lucky to have Senat today and the rest of the week. Many of our patients were amputees or fractures status post repair. Many have been here for months and most were very grateful to have us there--with little or no pain medication on board. The hospital rooms are pods with approximately 8 beds each about 3 feet apart. Standard precautions are a relative term. Bonne Fine is beautiful with lots of green and shade! It's cooler and less humid because we're in the mountains. Hopefully that will ensure us all a wonderful night sleep so we can be ready to tackle our remaining patient list in the morning. See ya!

Team Renew Day 3

Started out early this morning for church at First Baptist MEBSH. The music was definitely the highlight of the service. June located the songs in the hymnal, and we did our best to sing in the native Creole. One of the songs, "How Great Thou Art," reminded us that regardless of Country borders, we are all One in Christ. The sermon, translated by June after the service, was about the lingering political instability in the Country. The Pastor highlighted from Ps 137 and 1 James, and emphasized we are to find our joy in the Lord. Following the two hour service (June said it was the longest EVER), we packed up and headed to the beach. Our first stop included a tour of Aristide's landing strip which he used specifically for drug running; the beach next to the air strip was filled with bleached shells and stones (and a few bones!). A few photos later, and we headed off to "Dan's Creek" to swim and relax...more like the calm before the storm, as you'll see in Jenny's post for Monday. So far the general consensus is we LOVE cold showers, and wonder what all the fuss was about?!? -JoAnn

Team Renew Day 4

our fun and frolicking at the beach yesterday we were feeling a bit guilty for indulging in was completely made up for today as our first day seeing patients. When we got to June's this morning, the porch was lined with patients waiting for us--over 30 in all! We saw strokes, brain injury, amputees, some pediatrics with developmental disabilities, and some with orthopedic injuries. The clinic was so busy we didn't even have time for a lunch break as we grabbed sandwiches in shifts. We finished just before 5, and we were a great team thanks to our team work and translators. We did a bit to clean up around the clinic and June's place and sat down to write this before heading back to Seed for dinner, packing, and sleep. Tomorrow, we will head to the hospital in the mountains until Friday. The experience thus far has been amazing and eye opening. The things we take for granted each day are things Haitian people can't even dream of--clean water, access to healthcare, transportation, and basic rights. I hope we can continue to make a difference in those we treat the rest of this week. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

Team Renew Day 2:

Today we woke up early and had breakfast waiting for us at 8 am. We enjoyed eggs straight from the farm outside, as well as homemade juice and peanut butter. Madame Max arrived and we were able to taste test her homemade goodies and purchase the items we enjoyed. All the items she makes go to a great cause to help support her, her husband, and their five children ranging in age from 2-20. We then left with June to load up the land cruiser with supplies that had just been shipped in on a large cargo box. We even got to help unpack June's long awaited oven to fabricate prostheses for patients. Jenny, JoAnn, and I stayed at June's apartment/clinic and unpacked our bags of supplies that were brought with us while Geoff left with June and Harold to go pick up one more load of supplies. We hung out around June's new apartment today as the electricians were here to help install her washer/dryer, and water purifer. In the process June recieved word that they had broken her pipe line and all her water was spraying out the side of her home. We placed buckets to try and catch as much as possible. We then enjoyed a wonderful lunch of some sort of pulled meat sandwich and fruit. The four of us then took Berkley, June's dog, on a nice walk to the beach. After, Berkley being chased by a few stray dogs we returned to June's apartment. I made two ring splints for June's mallet finger and a custom wrist splint to help with her likely ligamentous injury. Geoff determined what was wrong with June's saw. Jenny attempted to set up June's new Iphone, and JoAnn kept us hydrated with great drinks. June decided to take us out to dinner. We put on our bathing suits and made our way to La Cayenne Hotel. After ordering, we took a dip in the pool while waiting for our food to arrive. We enjoyed grilled lobster, conch, plantains, and french fries. June took us back to SEED and we enjoyed our nice cold showers. Megan P.S. Geoff wanted to make sure everyone knew the hot sauce at dinner was "Louisiana" brand--he was proud!

Team Renew Day 1...details

Team Renew successfully made it to Les Cayes last night after an eventful day of traveling. We were repacking our luggage at check in to get everything through for the least amount of baggage fees. Our trip was pretty uneventful and we found Harold, our driver, pretty easily thanks to Marvin who speaks fluent English. Marvin and carmen have been here 2 years from Nicaragua and are on their way home for a month--what amazing and generous people. Our next stop was the MTI house where we met Febienne, the medical director, and assisted with sorting boxes from their recent shipment. Fabienne distributes supplies to 7 or 8 locations regularly. From the house, Harold drove us to Les Cayes to Seed where we are staying until Tuesday. Driving here can be most frightening, and I think we all agreed Harold must have driven for NASCAR in a former life. There were some breath-taking views along the way...and some that just took your breath away to see the poverty and lack of basic life necessities that we take for granted. The gracious women at Seed had a meal for us and we enjoyed our cold showers immensely before turning in. We were greeted by the rooster at 430am, but otherwise the nice breeze made our first night without ac bearable.

And we're off

Team Renew is in Maimi, getting ready to board for Port Au Prince. Stay tuned and keep us in your thoughts an prayers.