Burning the Midnight Oil

Tom stayed up all night last night making the two prosthetic legs he casted yesterday. He arrived at Hopitai Espoir with legs in hand only to discover that the resin did not set properly. It was a different resin than he was used to and it did not work with carbon, so they had to be redone with fiberglass. Not all is lost though, as Tom was able to fit the prosthetics and ensure that they fit properly, so he can be confident tomorrow. He arrived back at HHH early afternoon and is still working on them - no sleep yet! One of the neighbors complained about his sawing last night though (around 2 or 3 am), so he will be forced to bed tonight! He has made good progress though and should have them ready before we leave tomorrow morning. Oh Dave, you are missed!

Two of the hydrocephalus children seemed in distress yesterday, so arrangements were made for them to go to Project Medishare today as they had a neurosurgeon available to look at the kids today. Hence, Hydrocephalus clinic was cancelled, to be completed tomorrow. Annelle and Marielle went to the clinic this morning and let the two mothers know that they would be going for an examination to check on some symptoms that the nurses were worried about. Annelle and Marielle accompanied the mothers and children to the Medishare field hospital, where on examination the neurosurgeon decided to put external drains in until the shunt surgeries could be scheduled and completed. Annelle and Marielle were able to observe the surgeries and see the resulting improvement in the children. It was a good thing that they went today as the staff at Medishare thought one of the girls would not have lived through the weekend without intervention. A good day for doing good today.

The orphanage got a double dose of PT today with Barbara and Dana working with the kids. They brought more hygiene kits over to help make sure those kids have good teeth! At the HHH clinic Lori and Cara worked their way through the patient list while Liz did some chart organizing and prepared for Hydrocephalus clinic graduation tomorrow. The mom's all get a back pack kit that contains shoes, a hygiene kit, and a toy for the kids. When clinic was over Cara continued with chart organization and Lori and Liz went to the store to stock up on some things for our reunion tomorrow night. We are making dessert for the staff here as well as for us, and we hired a local band to keep us entertained. Should be a nice evening after a long week's work.

Over at the Medishare tent today the AC was back on, thank goodness. There is a need for Tom and Dave to come and help with some braces, so hopefully they will make it out there tomorrow afternoon. Dawn brought over more resting foot braces today to help with foot drop, help prevent contractures, etc. Also some sterile gloves for the OR. All much appreciated. After the fire earlier this week, the OR is back in operation, and the ICU has moved back into that tent as well. The pediatric and adult patients are still all in one tent though, and it has been a tough week on the staff and patients alike. Every day at lunch time, one of the Interpreters breaks into song and most of the patients and families participate. It is quite a lovely sight and sound to witness. Several patients went home this week which on one hand is good. But many of them are going home to tents that have no furniture, and in wheelchairs in a country where there is no such thing as accessibility. One patient that is to go home tomorrow, a young man with a spinal cord injury, his family lost their home in the earthquake and sending him home means to the streets. Project Medishare is discharging him with a tent for him and his family to live in.

We continue to face new challenges daily such as when the discharge plan has to include a tent for shelter. Many wonderful people make these solutions possible here in Haiti, many organizations, and many generous people around the world who donate supplies, money and time. It is a pleasure and a privilege to be a part of that.