Language

A lot of people have asked about the language here. The language that all people speak is kreyol. It is based in French so a lot of the words are the same but very fast and contracted with a different order to the wording. The official language for medicine is French though most of the people don't speak or understand it so that is yet another barrier to medical care. The medical morning report is usually in French, sometimes with French sides, sometimes English, sometimes with a translator sometimes not. I'm getting much better at understanding what is being said. I went on pediatric rounds yesterday and at least could get the gist of the cases. Amazing the children who survive here. Lots of prematurity, Pre-eclampsia is rampant. There are no ventilators here those they do have a 2 isolettes (usually a couple children in each) as well as oxygen. I don't know what we'd do without our translator Nahoum for the class. Many of the students are practicing or studying English but for the coursework he's essential. He translates into kreyol and their notes have (mostly) been translated into French. We are taking kreyol lessons two nights a week. Pretty funny actually! Professor Wesley would prefer we practice writing but we keep sidetracking him wig all that we need to learn how to SAY to communicate with Edith and basic conversations with patients. The students are great to practice with as well.

Hard to believe this is my full weekend already. There are no big plans for this weekend which is kind of nice. There was a group of orthopedic surgeons from Atlanta here this week so there are a lot of patients in the hospital that need treatment so we will help out for a couple hours this morning. Kind of a lot like home - but very different. They are so stoic about pain and so grateful for everything.