What to expect in Haiti

This report was just sent to Rob this morning. He is part of Team 3, going to relieve Team 2. Here's what he'll be doing in Haiti. Please pray.

Below is a description of the today’s work by Team 2. (By the way, Team 1 made it home safely.)

This AM I started by rounding on the post op ward checking everybody from the night before. Most were doing OK but needed dressing changes, pain medication, IV changing or other needs tended to The nursing staff on the "post op" ward was one single PA who was over about 50 patients for the evening. We needed to try to get as many out of the hospital as possible due to the planned surgeries for today--not much different than what it is at home except in difference surroundings :-).

so many amputations it just is horrible. Many had to get amputated because there wasn't the equipment and people available to try to fix their fractures. That just sickens me. Now they are without a major limb simply because they didn't have what needed to fix it at the time. Unbelievable.

The tent city outside is growing daily with people we can't keep inside and who have to be "discharged" Additionally many are afraid to go home or don't have a home to go to.

After that I decided I really needed to try to get organized a bit. I spent so much time yesterday looking for things I needed. I think some of the other staff felt the same way because I saw make shift shelves going up made from concrete blocks and a desk top. I went to the supply area where I was working and started cleaning when a MD from Sweden who was in the room next door came into the supply room she thought that it might make a decent patient room and could help alleviate the overcrowding in their room. So I agreed to try to clean it up and add one additional room for patients. At this point, skill sets aren't as important as doing what is needed. So I found a broom, donned some gloves and spent about an hour cleaning up this supply room for patients.

After a quick break for lunch I spent most of the afternoon in the intensive care unit. the folks there really needed a break. We had a woman with a hemoglobin of 2--pretty much as inconsistent with life as you can get and still be alive. They had somehow procured blood for her-one of the volunteers here gave some--and I got that started. Several post op patients came in as well. We had a woman with tetanus-we were watching--very ill but stable, a woman with a complicated C-section and her baby and various other folks who needed a little extra attention. It was really amazing to me what we were doing caring for these patients in the midst of this disaster.

Later this afternoon I walked by a room where a elderly quite sick looking man was calling out and no one seemed to hear him. I went in and immediately recognized him from yesterday. Yesterday he was laying in on the ground in the hospital foyer covered up but just barely with no clothes on. Next to him was a sign which was so eerie to me : NPO, IV fluids only, DNR. He has sustained a spinal cord injury and there was really nothing to do for him. He had no family with him. Today he just wanted something to drink. So I spent about 5 minutes just giving him sips of water.

I think most of you know where I am going with this. Jesus says we need to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty and help those in need. It might have been the most important things I really did all day long.

Many people are here helping in many good ways--giving of their hearts and souls, body and talents. So be encouraged, the world is reaching out to Haiti.

Finally, I met up with Romel today. It was an emotional meeting. His family’s house and he and Fregga's house are completely destroyed and they are living on the street. He is very discouraged about what the future holds. I reassured him we are there to assist them in rebuilding their lives. These are people we know and who are affiliated with our ministry directly who we need to be in a position to help once there is a system in place to do so. Real individual people who are affected.

Our team is spread out throughout the hospital, paramedics doing triage, dressing changes, and other things. The two docs are manning the post op and ICU's with me and others. The two nurses are at a different hospital helping out with many ortho and neuro patients there. All are representing NC Baptist Men well in this effort.

Half our team is staying the night to help relieve some of the night staff and will return in the AM. I am going home to be available to return to relieve them in the AM.

Thanks so much for all your prayers. They are really holding me up. The Lord prepared me so that I can do what needs to be done without a lot of emotional response at this point but those who are close to me, you probably will bear much of that burden when I return. thanks again.

Under His crushing mercy.

April