17 DAYS TO GO

Wilkerson Here:  I was looking through the NWHCM web site today.  Went to the trip blogs.  Where people who come on a short term mission trip can post about what they are seeing and doing.  Here is one I thought you might find of interest about medical care in Haiti.

“Today I had the opportunity to work in the clinics here at Northwest. I started my morning in the dressing room where we did the basic intake, triage basics–blood pressure and temperature. It was a major shift in standards that I am used to from the US. We used regular thermometers and blood pressure instruments where we had to manually take all the vitals. I was a bit in shock about this at first, because I was supposed to take their temperature by putting the thermometer under their arm. They don’t have enough sanitary devices to cover each of the thermometers, so the best way to do it was to use the armpit. This was foreign to me, but I just flowed with it, meeting these people where they were and having compassion for their circumstances. Directly after we got through all 30 patients today, we immediately had patients come in to get their wounds cleaned and re-dressed. I felt so terrible for all these patients, they were in pain, but they endured every second of it to ensure that their wounds would heal. It was so hard to take it, but looking back at it now, the people here of St. Louis Du Nord are just grateful to have “some” medical staff willing and able to assist them with their needs. Lastly, I consoled and massaged some of the mothers who were in labor today. I know that the power of touch is an amazing healer. These women go through their labor and delivery with no medication, they endure the experience pain and all. I felt really appreciated for lessening their pain and making them for comfortable enough to fall asleep… one was snoring really loudly after I rubbed and massaged her back and legs. None of them have delivered yet, but hopefully tomorrow we will get to see their beautiful babies. This experience will definitely break down your comfort zone, and make you really appreciate everything you take for granted back home. I am homesick, but I am just getting used to it here, and I wish I could stay a bit longer. It has been a really powerful week. Restoring Hope In Haiti, Nancy M.”

Training:  Nothing today.  Will get back to an every day schedule tomorrow.  Going to turn cold tomorrow night so have to get it in early.  Need to run outside as much a