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
