Home Sweet Home

It sure was nice to get home. I’d forgotton what it was like to sleep in my own bed. This past week has been a great experience for me. I have went from one end of the emotional spectrum to the other end. I cried when we left Haiti and on the last leg of the trip. Doc gave me something to read, “Imitators of Christ” that got all my emotions really stirred up. It was about being humble and loving others like Christ loves. As I read the pages I thought of how I am and how far away I am from being like Christ. I have cried for the people of Haiti. I would love to go back sometime on another mission. I thank God for Doc and Ernest taking care of me. They will always be special people in my heart. Love to all and keep praying.

ADDENDUM “Back in the world”

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention “the home front”. My neighbors and friends who looked out for and checked up on my wife Sonia. The Wallaces, The Scotts, The Ericksons, The Devines, and Mr. Keith Travis. Thanks for shoveling the snow, getting Sonia to church in the snow, baloons on the mail box. The yellow ribbons around the oak trees. the calls and the prayers. You will never know the comfort it gave Sonia. Ernest

Back in the world

A term we used in Viet Nam , when returning from a tour of duty still seems appropriate today. As you know we arrived together at Jacmel airport with hopes of catching an empty plane returning home. There are armed Canadian guards at the gate and we had our own water and lunch (tuna) with us. There is a table where you check in with a flight coordinator and then you wait, in the heat, to see what flys in. The air port is our life line for supplies and getting in and our. We heard a rumor that one small airport was over run with looters. belive me we are glad to have the Canadian troops covering our sector. God save the queen! Because only very small planes were coming in we could not depart together and it was hard to be separated. WE had bonded well as an effective surgery team. (See hasty Nassau blog).

I arranged a pick up for Dr. Tom and Cindy with the Bahama habitat pilots who flew me out, but was surprised to get a call from Cindy who said they were in Ft. Lauderdale. They hopped on twin engined private plane that was flown in on it’s own, to drop something off. (In the right place at the right time.) We reunited at the Lauderdale-Hollywood airport and had omelets & coffee for breakfast, I got my shoes shined as there were pretty scuffed up from the rocky roads in Haiti. The South West plane arrived on time and we were met by our spouses. It was great to be back home, even with snow on the ground.

The contrast between the two airports is hard to wrap your mind around, even for us who experienced it. It’s now like a dream. We’re back in the world. There is a post mission depression and we were all a little down yesterday, but recounting what we accomplished helped us realize our work there was done.
It’s a little like deep sea diving, when there’s underwater work to be done. You go down to get the job done, but you can’t stay or you will sicken and die. You must return to the surface. Nitrogen narcosis may lull you in thinking you can go deeper, stay longer and do more. Our job was done and it was time to return. we saved limbs on children and young adults, even though it took longer. Because of the unique situation at Cayesjacmel (the right team, at the right place, at the right time) we were able to do the job so many people sent us to do. When we left there were no more such cases pending.

I am humbled and astounded at the hundreds of people, who we have never met and who have never met each other, that helped position us to help the Haitians. From the coordinators who made us aware of the need, to Murray Hospital, the local Ford dealer, Southwest Airlines, Mission couples who housed, fed and transported us. The island charter companies and pilots (true unsung heroes, who never get credit) who flew us in and out and the hundreds who cared about and supported us. We represented your hands and hearts. I hope we did you proud. Thank you.

WE MADE IT

Doc, Earnest and I have arrived in FT Lauderdale. We will fly out 9:15 Thursday morning to Nashville.
Love to all and keep PRAYING

We’re on our own

Got word by email that the group that got us in was out of funds and that we were basically on our own to get out. So that’s been on my mind. Being from the Viet Nam era I’m a little anal abut exit plans.
Went out with a flouish on our last day Tuesday. After a lond hard day we finished early at about 1600 and were almost out the door, when the damn broke. An emergency C-section, a patient C/O of weakness his arms and legs ( x-ray showed two Fx vertibrae in his neck) Don’t know how he was still able to walk. We had a dislocated elbow from the quake on a 10 year old that couldn’t be reducted and required surgery. Everyone worked past supper.

After a shower and good night’s sleep Our host prepared a good breakfast. I have come to relish those cold evening showers like a wilting plant being wartered. WE set out to Jacmel airport hoping to be at the right place at the right time. The flights From Ft. Lauderdale were stoped yesterday (just our luck. At about 10 Am a small plane came in with medical supplies from Naussau and was to return with baggage. Since
it wasn’t there we thought the pilot ( a radiologist) could take us. Unfortunately only one could go due to the planes limited capacity. Doc & Cindy sent me because of a work commitment and they are flexable in that area. I am now in the Bahamas, but not to enjoy it as another pilot flying for habitat for Haiti

has to return there to bring in supplies tomorrow. As there are no hotel room available in the greater Miami area due to the supper bowl Sunday, I promised his a meal at a cuban restaurant and for my daughter to put us up. I hope to catch a flight to Nashville tomorrow. I have not been able to contact Dr. Tom & Cindy at this point to determine theirstatus. They may already be in Ft. Lauderdale or still stuck in Haiti. I will keep trying. Perhaps I can help get them out tomorrow if they need to.I think Cindy would not have done well in such a small plane over the ocean for 500 miles. It was even more cramped than the flight down. Gotta roll Jerry says let’s fly

Where to go from here

Our days at the clinic are over and we did our last case together. Later Doc, Ernest and myself were recounting things that have happened. Ernest and I, seperately and together, had helped other surgeons with some of their procedures and did a variety of things. Doc commented that out of all the cases the three of us did together as a team none of them consisted of any amputations. We took on some surgeries that would have been hard under normal circumstances yet it was worth the effort to save a person’s limb. In the morning we will gather our belongings and head out to the airport in Jacmel. We will try to catch a plane out of here. At this point we can’t be sure where that might be. Some go to the Domincan Republic and then fly out from there and others go straight back to Ft. Lauderdale. I have mixed emotions about leaving here. I have experienced something that words cannot describe. I pray that I will never forget what God has shown me about others and also myself. God has a specific plan for all of our lives and though we may not know why some things happen, God wants us to take a step of faith and follow Him. I’ll be looking for where God takes me next and pray you are searching for your next assignment from God. We will post our arrival whenever that may be. Until then, love to all and keep praying.

It’s all about me

Hi guys! Ernest told you about our trip to town. This place has some beautiful areas. Our hosts have been wonderful to us. They used to have a cabin down on Ky. Lake and Jo has a sister in Dover, TN. I believe Jo and I could become great friends. We have had some great laughs together. It’s funny how God shows you things. A few years ago I went to Florida to run in the Breast Cancer 1/2 Marathon with some very special friends. We trained hard and wanted to do our best. The reason I went was to accomplish something for myself but during the race I saw a bigger picture. Runners had written on their backs names of people they were running to support. While you run you read the names. They have moms, sisters, friends and wives names. I came upon one that said, “I’m running for you”. At that moment I realized the bigpicture. It wasn’t about me doing something for myself but trying to help others. I have had that same thing happen again. I have been wanting to do a medical mission trip for at least a year. I have been praying that God would direct me. One dropped into my lap! I wanted to do something new and exciting. My family and friends would testify to the fact that I’m always ready to go anywhere and do something new and fun. Coming on this trip was for me or so I thought. I have seen the big picture. It’s not about me and its not about you. It’s about God wanting us to take care of all His children. God gave His only Son Jesus so we may have eternal life through him. He blesses us in so many ways that we do not deserve. Why did God allow an earthquake to happen in Haiti? I do not know. What I know is that He wants us to love all people. I have worked beside Americans, Canadians, and Swiss. They all came together to help needy people. It’s all about God. Love to all and keep praying.

GROUNDHOG DAY

Anybody know if Phil saw his shadow? Does anybody care? Not here, it’s 90 F in the shade. Went in today with nothing on the schedule (What schedule?) I’m on my 4TH case now.

One was an elderly gentleman who broke an ankle during the quake. He had one crutch and had carved a cain (no handle) from a small tree. He came in because it wasn’t getting better and was swollen. As you may have surmised we are in a rural area. This old man rode for three hours down the mountain on horseback to the road where he then caught a ride in on a Taptap to the clinic. And people complain if they wait more than 30 minutes in an air conditioned doctors office with television? Go figure. He had his ankle set & casted, then returned home. Wonder how he heard we were there to help him?

Good news. Gina at the Jacmel airport called to advise she could get us on a reurn flight to Ft. Lauderdale Wednesday AM. That bolstered our spirits. There is little more we can accomplish here orthopedic wise,
as more of my cases are becoming elective general surgery.

We picked a good day to take our host out to dinner as e were done and home by 1630. We went to the restaurant in Cap Lamandou Hotel.
On the way we drove through Jacmel. The streets are pretty bad. Most buildings and houses are still standing. The ones that aren’t are devasted. Because of the hurricains people build with cinder blocks and cement slabs and pillars. If they skimp on the iron rebar the result is total colapse of the structure killing all inside or near. Houses, stores churches and gas stations, now nothing but ruble. Yet people are carrying on. There are tents in the streets and people cooking outside and singing. Incredible! A mere half mile away on the ocean is the hotel restaurant. What a contrast. The most beautiful spot I’ve seen in Haiti. The fish was grilled with onions and a local seasoning. It could have been a little less well done, but delicious as it was. They were down to 7-ups only. No coke or tonic water. Oh how we suffer.
Iwas surprised to see doctors without borders and UN personal were staying there. Guess they are doing very good.

We actually are doing fairly well. We sleep in a sheltered screened in building, have breakfast, lunch & supper. Elecricity most of the time and indoor pluming. True there is no airconditioning or hot water, but we are far better off the our collague 70 miles away. His luggage and supplies didn’t arrive yet. They have no water and no scrub tech like Cindy. I understand they are finding the situation similar to ours, but we are certainly in the lap of luxery compaired to them.

Church on the ground

If you read Ernest’s blog you know what the boys did on Sunday.  Well while they were out playing, Cindy was working.  I think I get double time on Sunday!  The clinic was going to try out the new portable surgical room that the Swiss contributed and I got asked to scrub the case.  It really is a neat setup.  It is a self-contained unit.  They were taking pictures and photographing for the Swiss to see how it was working.  Pretty cool!  As I was traveling over to the clinic there were many Haitians out walking to go to church.  They had Bibles in the hands and all dressed up.  Once I got to the clinic I realized they were having a church service across the street.  They were singing a song that I recognized by the tune even though the words were in French.  I got charged spiritually by that.  These people amaze me.  They have nothing yet are happy and willing to walk to church to praise God.  Maybe that is why they are happy – because they make the effort to praise God.  Some of you have been concerned with my GI problem.  I am fine thanks to cipro and pepto.  I’ve been avoiding alot of foods also.  Today when I was coming back from the clinic there was a mob gathered around a motorcycle.  I thought maybe there had been an accident.  My driver said the police were checking to see if they had a license.  When I told him my son was a policeman he seemed shocked.  I don’t know if they like the police here or not.  Couldn’t tell and we could not communicate enough to figure it out.  Everywhere you go there are goats tied up.  They eat them.  Dogs everywhere and very few cats.   They have cows but don’t eat them and pigs which they do eat.  I went down to the ocean today and stuck my toes in the sand.  It was nice.  That was my pay for working Sunday, I  guess.  Ernest has expressed that there may be a problem getting out of here, but Doc and I are not worried about it.  Please don’t worry.   It will be alright.  I think Ernest just wants to get home to his “beautiful young bride who wanted to get off the farm”.  He sure thinks alot about you Sonia and brags about you all the time.  You’d think he was in love or something.  Go figure.  Need to go now.         Love to all and keep praying..

The weekend 1/30&1/31

A good surgery day Saturday. Repaired a scalp avulsion that went to the skull on a 20 y/o female, followed by two complex ortho cases. First time we were able to accomplish two ortho cases in one day. If there were more cases, in two more weeks, there would be no stopping us. After the cases there was the room to clean and instruments from   orthos to wash. Makes f a long day for Cindy. That girl is a trooper. Then there was a two hour wait for a ride back to the orphanage. Je mort! But we have done procedures that could not have been done with out our expertise.  Basically,  at this point immediate trauma cases have been reated or have died. There may be a few more at other locations, but I supect it’s the same everywhere. Doc says there will probably be follow up infections in a couple of weeks. Considering the conditions I,d bet he’s right on. 

Saturday nights are the same all over the world. Haiti is no exception. Jacmel was rocking.  Sort of a calypso salsa beat.  It might have been fun to go out on the street to see what was going on, but we all slept through it instead.

Woke up Sunday and begin a search for church services. Heard there was a mass @ 0600 a block away. Arrived to a deserted building. There someone told us to comeback at 800. Arrived there, again no one so we said a rosary together. Then a young man told us of a mass starting at 0900 near cayesjacmel and accompanied us in a Taptap (minitruck with a tarp cover and a couple of benches along the sides). These vehicles serve as buses for   a small fee. We then walked up about a quarter of a mile to find an out door area with tarps and many chairs (I think Their church building had been destroyed) . The services were presided by Fr. Pardeaux who’s French pronounciation and diction were so good I could almost understand all of it. Sonia would have had no trouble. We were under coconut trees with walls of woven palm leaves decorated with beautiful flowers. In my opinion it eaily rivaled Catherals. The service Started 40 minutes late and lasted about 2 hours. There is NO hurry in Haiti. It was extremely enjoyable and relaxing after a hard last 3 days. Food for the spirit and body. I regret that I am un able to down load the pictures and music recorded. Perhaps it can be placed on the blod when we return at a later date. (Note: Dr. Tom just bloged some.)  It is amazing how people with so little make things so beautiful. Most were dressed to the nines. The ladies had their hair done up and the singing was beautiful. I recorded much of it. Hope to get it with pictrues on a CD

We caught a ride back with the church keyboard player in the back of his truck.

We were hoping to take our host our to supper tonight. here is one hotel still standing that is in operation and reported to have excellent food. One must call in sveral hours early and order from what is available to be readyat a certain time. Otherwise one might up to four hours before being served. Unfortunately Drex is ill (possibly dinge fever, which he has had before.) Hope he improves.

Plan to do some laundry if the electricity comes back on later today. We are on Battery power, presently 1300. Then just kick back and try to stay cool. Gather our strength and spirits for the final push this coming week. Many thanks for lifting us up. We were really down by Saturday night.

ADDNDUM: Tom got a distrubing email advising our flights out were no longer avilable and w were basically on our own.  Fortunatly, we were put on the trail a plane  out of Ft. Lauderdale that will be making several round trips. I havven’t been able to contact the pilots yet as cell service is at best spotty or all circuits busy. Left word to the airport and hope for the best. Mr. Travis managed to call in to check on us and late this evening. It’s comforting to know they will get us out, if all else fails.

No laundry done. No electricity today. Drex feeling better this evening. We will take them out to dinner tomorow night.  Signing out. Thanks, e. ayo