Home Day 1

Home Day 1

This will be the last blog regarding Haiti.  I think it is just as important to describe what the feelings are when one returns from a trip like this.  In the past, especially my first few trips I would return saying I was never going back.  The work was hard, I returned tired and burned out.  However, after a few weeks I noticed that I felt energized and whole.  My work seemed to be more meaningful and my compassion battery seemed topped off.  I had a bit of euphoria when I thought of the trip.  As I have returned and had this same experience returned I realized that one can not sum up an experience like this without having time to process it.  I’m sure my friends and family get frustrated when they ask how my trip was because my reply is always cliche.  “It was good.” followed by“It was rewarding.”  However, this does little to describe the experience and many times I don’t really know how the trip was myself until I get home, reenter “normal life” and process the trip.  Only then can I truly begin to describe it.

To my travel companions last week.  I’m sure you will go through the same emotions, and know now it is OK to do so.  Don’t feel bad when your friends ask about your trip if you can’t find the words.  They will come in time.  Allow yourself time to reflect and sort through your thoughts.  Don’t jump to conclusions whether or not mission work and especially mission work in Haiti is something you want to pursue.  Many a person has come back raring to go back only to be let down on their next trip.  Every trip is different and unique.  Some trips go smooth as this one did, others not so much.  Unfortunately, if you get bit by the bug and want to be associated with this service it can be consuming.  

To close, I hope all the readers have enjoyed these descriptions and thoughts.  I do it as much for myself as others, but the one thing I hope to accomplish is to foster an interest in the country and a willingness for others to learn as much as they can.  Hopefully if I can inspire one person to entertain the thought of donating their time, talent, or treasure, then I have done my work.

Day 5

The last day of clinic as always was bittersweet.  We had a mobile clinic in Arcahaie or "Flag Town".  It was here that Catherine Flon made the Haitian flag in 1803.  Every May 18th, Flag Day is celebrated and people flock here to celebrate the nation and show pride in their flag.  A year later, in 1804, on January 1st, Haiti declared its independence from France.  Of course, the French took 20 years or so to recognize this formerly, but better late than never!  The clinic took place in a church compound with a school.  Shortly after our arrival, recess started.  We had quite the audience during recess and again after school let out.  We were able to give some of the kids small toys the team had brought.  The clinic went smoothly again.  We returned to the fixed clinic in the afternoon to help and then went to Dr. Vlad and Dr. Merline's house to celebrate 3 special occasions per Merline.
    On our arrival we were greeted with warm Prestige (a Haitian lager beer) because the storm had knocked out the power.  I still would put Prestige up against any American domestic lager warm or cold, and Prestige would come out on top.  Soon after, Poppa Milien (Merline and Francise's dad), cut open fresh coconut for us.  We all were able to enjoy a nice drink of coconut milk, a natural laxative as Kristin pointed out.  I guess traveling home tomorrow may be more interesting knowing that.  As the party started, Dr. Vlad brought two new travelers from the airport.  Dr. Bruce a physician from Kentucky, who lives near Harlan County (shout out to Raylan Givens) was accompanied by Corey Peters a defensive tackle for the Atlanta Falcons.  He was making his first trip to see the country and learn more about ways he could help.  It was interesting to see a 6'5" 300 pound football player next to Momma Milien who maybe is 4'10".  Never know what or who you will see in Haiti.  Dinner was a traditional Haitian meal with goat, fish, chicken, rice, bean, slaw, and fruit.  After dinner we were treated with three different cakes.  One was to celebrate Dr. Francise's birthday, one to celebrate Mama Milien's birthday and one for my birthday and 15th trip to the country.  They made mine rum raisin; not sure how to take that.  It was delicious in any case.  We said our goodbyes and came back home to pack and relax before our long travel day tomorrow.
    I couldn't be prouder of this team.  As always Lori was my rock and patient seeing sidekick.  I can't imagine coming down here without her, it just wouldn't be the same.  Marcie and Kristin were excellent here.  Today we had a older Haitian woman that had vomited and passed out.  Per their training, they had an IV in her and fluids hanging in no time.  She felt much better and walked out under her own power.  They were indispensable and I hope their time here leaves then fulfilled and with a love for this country.  Whether they ever come back they will have to discern for themselves but I hope the experience stays with them and they look back on it fondly.
    As for me, I feel my batteries reenergized.  The trips here are not entirely altruistic.  I need them as much as the Haitian people need us.  When my compassion levels drop I can think about our time here and feel the work we do is worthwhile in the US even though we don't see the same results.  Nor do we have the same sense of satisfaction working in the US that you do here.  Each and every day seeing patients in Haiti you can finish satisfied that you touched at least one life, in our fast food medicine mentality in the US, many days go by before you may have the same feeling.  
    Enough of a diatribe, we all have a lot of packing to do.  I will close this blog and this trip by saying:  

Bondye do ou, fe pa ou, M a fe pa M. Men anpil chay pa lou.

Day 4

Day 4 

Clinic day 4 is done.  Today we traveled to a tent city.  The tent cities are the remnants of the refuge camps after the earthquake.  They are little more than flimsy structures made of tarps, sheet metal, wood, and sometimes cement blocks.  They routinely have dirt floors and are one room.  The bathrooms are outdoors and public.  Many os the tent cities have been decommissioned and the refuges relocated.  However, some are still in place and this is where we visited today.  
The clinic was a dirt floored church.  Haitian building codes are up to par with most of the world.  Their cement is a very sandy mix leading the blocks and the mortar to crumble easily.  Likewise the rebar that they use for structural support is much thinner in diameter versus what is seen in the US.  In fact, it is so thin, we typically bend down exposed pieces to hang our bags or IV's from.  The carpentry has much left to desire.  We were a bit nervous looking at the nailing patterns and the common practice it appears of sistering different sizes of dimensional lumber to make a rafter.  One experienced and good Haitian carpenter said this building would cave in within 2 or 3 years. 
We saw several cases that were interesting.  Again, several cute kiddos.  Marcie got conned into babysitting one while the mother "ran home" to get some money for the pharmacy.  At one point we were wondering if she was coming back.  She did return and Marcie was thanked for her good deed.
After the mobile clinic patients were seen, we again returned to Cabaret and the fixed clinic.  We performed a couple ultrasounds and saw the remainder of the patients.  
Tomorrow will be our last clinic day.  We will end the day and the trip having a party at the Drs. Vlad and Merline's home.  I have a feeling there may even be a few Prestige in our future.  
Everyone is well.  We played an epic game of Mexican Train Dominoes last night.  Kristin was the big winner despite never playing before.  Beginners luck I'm sure.

Until tomorrow. 

Day 3

Day 3

Well, Day 3 of our mission is coming to a close.  It was an interesting day.  We traveled up a mountain to a rural area.  We had clinic under an open air wooden structure with a tin roof.  We saw about 40 Haitians, some who had walked from the next mountain over to be seen.  The views were breathtaking, the breeze sublime, and the patients especially the children as sweet as ever.  One of the best clinics I can remember in recent trips.  We got to interact with the children, hold a lot of babies, and I saw what I think is my first Haitian Down's patient.  I wanted to bring him home, so adorable and loving.  

In the afternoon we returned to the fixed clinic in Cabaret and again helped clean up the Chikungunya cases.  The team continues to do well.  Everyone is healthy.  Tired, but always willing to work.  Marcie and Kristin have showed a true aptitude for mission work and have been a blessing to the Haitians they have touched.  Lori as always continues to be my trusty sidekick and has seen some very interesting cases as well.  It has been good camaraderie between the group members, as well as our Haitian team members.  Our translators, drivers, nurses, and of course our beloved trio of Haitian physicians have made this one of the most welcoming and worthwhile trips I can recall.  They have the clinic down to such a science that gone is the pressure to see 150 or more patients a day.  Now I feel we can spend more time with each individual and show them the compassion and care they deserve.

The day ended today with an afternoon hike.  We headed out of the compound and up a mountain.  Marcie and Kristin almost made it to the top, but being the elder statesmen we are, Lori and I stayed a little behind to guard the rear.  You never know when a rogue band of Haitian goats may attack from the flank.  

Until tomorrow.

Day 2

Day 2

Work continues to go well.  Today Lori, Kristin, and I traveled to Cite Soleil to have a mobile clinic.  Marcie stayed at the fixed clinic in Cabaret to help with the onslaught of Chikungunya fever patients.  The team continues to impress me with their willingness to work and get their hands dirty.  They have been compassionate and loving to the Haitians.  There was a little matter of a giant roach on the wall of their room last night but I'll let them tell the story.

We tended to see a lot of the same viral illness today.  It's hard to know if it is truly Chikungunya or other illness as there is no testing available.  I also get the sense that there is a sense of hysteria rippling through the country.  It's interesting because everyone I talk to has either "had the fever" or they think they currently are suffering from it.  If this were an illness with higher morbidity I do believe there would be panic.  As is it's like a bad case of the flu.  

I hope the time we have left is as fulfilling as these first 2 days.  Tomorrow we head up the mountains to do a clinic on Francise's land.  It should be interesting.  I am seeing areas I have never been to.  On Friday, we are having a party at Vlad and Merline's to celebrate my 15th trip and Vlad and Merline's new pregnancy.  We actually did an ultrasound today and found out the gender:  It's a.........

Day 1

Day 1

What a wonderful first day.  Marcie, Lori, and Kristin are doing a fabulous job, I could not ask for a better team.  Kristin and Marcie adapted quickly and seem very comfortable.  Our guest house gives all the creature comforts we could ask for including an amazing view of the ocean and Port-au-Prince in the distance.  

This morning we did a mobile clinic at Bon Repose, mainly seeing rechecks of blood pressure and other issues.  In the afternoon we returned to the fixed clinic in Cabaret.  Here we saw several cases of presumed Chikungunya fever.  No diagnostic testing, but lots of pain and fever in the midst of an outbreak, so we treated as such.  We also the typical amounts of typical Haiti aches and pains, as well as a few pretty sick kiddos.

The work that Vlad, Merline, and Francise have put in is nothing short of amazing.  Their clinic is one of a kind based on my experiences in Haiti (trip number fifteen and counting!)

I will try to update this as much as WiFi allows.

To all the family and loved ones of my team, thank you for allowing them to come help the Haitian people.  It is a passion of mine, and I hope they feel the same when our work is done this week.  I know it isn't easy to have them leave and for you to carry on with normal life, but believe me this is work and not a vacation.  They need to be commended for their sacrifice as much as you need to be thanked and cheered for yours.

Ryan Venis