Please ignore the typos etc in the post below, i was slightly horrified to reread the message last night. It was composed on the bus as we pulled into santo domingo

Departing Haiti

I am on the bus, headed back to Santo Domingo in the DR.

For days i dreaded leaving Milot and the Crudem hospital. It was perhaps one of the most intense, moving, and meaningful experiences. I have been on the bus today napping, and thinking about "my" patients. The 50 kids we took care of on peds, and then the 35 women i took care of the past few days.

I dreaded saying the goodbye. Trying to imagine how it would feel top be in there shoes, a constant change of doctors and nurses coming and going. Building a relationship, and then then departing. I became quickly attached to many people, patients, fanmily, and Haitian staff.

I was afraid i would lose my composure when i announced to the peds ward, and theb my female tent that i was leaving. But by the time i made my last round at 8pm last night, i was so exhausted that it was a non-emotional goodbye.

I know it won't be long until I am back.

Impending Departure

I have a tough time describing the experience here. Moving is probable the best word.

I wont be ready to leave. It will be tough to say goodbye, and i will wonder what happened to the kids who have been orphaned-who have had their parents killed. I will wonder about our amputees and if they get their prostheses. I will wonder about the women in my adult tent with their pelvic fractures who are bed bound.

When i leave, part of me will remain. But I am sure it won't be long until I am back here.

Haiti

Will have lots to tell. Have ended up in milot, sacred heart hospital, run by Crudem (google it). About 400 + patients, will be working with some docs from baystate, doing peds for the next few days. Good supplies, lots of doctors. Pretty devastating to see so many kids who have had limbs amputated..

Off the Grid

I'm headed to Haiti. Cap Haitien specifically. Will be going with Haiti Marycare. Though I have just head that 2 pedi ED docs that I work with are in a town about 30 miles from where I will be. It's a small world!

 

It was a bit of a long shot to be able to get the time off to go, but somehow it worked out, so am headed out tomorrow. The blog has been pretty silent for a while, not sure that there will be a lot of posting from Haiti, but will see what I can do.

 

 

BPB