aftershock

2 nights ago while drifting into sleep, I felt my cot sway back and forth. I wondered if I was dreaming, but the next morning several people were talking and saying that they had also felt it. It's no wonder the Haitians almost refuse to sleep or even enter into the buildings here.
A group (H.A.R.T.) came in for the last couple of days and fitted many of our leg amputees for prosthetics. Many of them have been waiting for weeks and it was so exciting to see them walking for the first time since the earthquake. As soon as they were fitted for their new leg, a physical therapist would work with them on how to get up and down steps. These people adapt so well, and most were walking around the camp by the afternoon. Really heartwarming.
I can't believe that I only have 2 more days before I leave on Wednesday morning. Haiti is the kind of place that after you've been here a day, it feels like a million years. But when it's time to leave, you wonder how the time went so fast.
It's very late here and I'll be getting up with the sun, so I'll make this short. I'll post photos tomorrow if time allows.

crutch races

Today the surgical team began removing external fixators. They were able to get 16 of them off, and it looks like they'll be able to get all of them off by next Monday. We continue to get patients from the community. Today we had to transferred out 3 patients - an infant with seizures, a man with severe burn injuries and a young boy who needed specialized surgery in Miami. We're slowly discharging patients and decreasing the size of the hospital. We also held an immunization clinic today for most of the kids in the camp. Me and another nurse, Sarah, along with the pharmacist here gave about 100 immunizations. It was a great experience and very rewarding. Even though most of the kids cried when they recieved their shot, the parents all thanked us. The kids then all received a toy afterwards, so they quickly forgot about the pain of the shot.
It hasn't rained for the last 2 nights, so the camp has finally dried out. And it's as hot as ever during the day. I've always loved being in the sun, but I have to say that I've had my fill of it at this point. It seems like when it hits about 2pm, there is nowhere to escape from the searing heat.
There are two huge white tents that have been built to house certain patients - unaccompanied minors, those with non-healing wounds and other patients who are at high risk for infection. It's the only totally waterproof tent in the camp, as well as being very open and airy. So the other patients have a bit of tent envy going on. They also hold a big group physical therapy session in the white tent everyday. I went to watch it yesterday and found 2 cute girls - both of who have had amputations. They were racing each other back and forth and laughing so hard that everyone was watching and cheering them on (see photo). It's those kind of heartwarming moments that make it totally worth being here, and they're images I'll never forget.
I continue to help discharge patients. I'm averaging about 3-4 discharges a day. We always give everyone who leaves a tent, cooking kit and soap and other essential supplies. I also give them money for transportation for wherever they're going. Many are returning to Port-au-Prince, and others choose just to relocate just down the road at the refugee camp. It makes me so thankful for what I have to see how many people truly have nothing. I'm also glad that the camp is able to at least help them make a start. The camp also employs many local Haitians to cook, help manage the warehouse and translate. They have also trained one of the locals to be an x-ray tech, and he works independently without needing any help from the international staff. We also have the local Haitian nurses helping us staff the triage area.
The group of nurses that I'm in charge of are awesome. They are so willing to do anything I ask. Of course as always in Haiti, the only sure thing is that nothing is predictable, and so we very often have to change assignments or pick up new duties as the day wears on. They never complain and are doing such an amazing job with all of the patients. It makes me proud to be nurse. There are times when I've wondered if I should have done something else with my life - but right now I wouldn't want to be anything else but a nurse. Oh - did I mention that the rats are the size of small cats here?

rainy season

I decided that I prefer the dust that was here in early February to the mud that is now here. It's rained every night - except tonight - and the ground just doesn't get a chance to dry out. Many of the patients tents flood every time it rains. We've tried to give all of them cots so their mattresses aren't soaking up the water, but it's still is a miserable situation.
As part of my "charge nurse" duties here, all of the camp discharges go through me. I make sure that everyone who leaves has some supplies - tent, cooking oil, rice, soap, etc.. and any other things I can pillage out of the supply warehouse. Most of the patients are going down the road to the ARC (American Refugee Camp) and some are choosing to return to Port-au-Prince. There aren't many good options for most of them. We're averaging about 4-5 discharges per day, and the plan is not to admit any more patients so they can shut the hospital down in the next couple of months.
The rest of the Operation Smile team arrived today. The plan is to remove every external fixator that's in the camp - about 40 patients. So it will be busy. Those patients should be able to be discharged about a week afterwards if there are no complications.
There are 4 Mennonite nurses who come in every day from a center a few miles down the road. They have been so helpful with staffing the rows of tents and taking care of the patients. Today we had a young girl (about 6 years old) who fell off of a motorcycle and hit her head. She was unconscious and we arranged emergent transport to Miami for her. The triage nurse had to accompany her on the transport and one of the Mennonite nurses stepped in to cover triage, even though she really didn't have much experience in that area. She did an awesome job, and saved the day. It's easy to be in charge when you have such remarkable, inspiring nurses to work with!
I was able to talk with my family via Skype tonight, and my translators all got a kick out of seeing them on the computer. And it makes me a little less homesick.
Better get to bed and pray for no rain tonight.

return to haiti!!

After overnighting in Miami, I arrived yesterday with 2 other members of the Op Smile team. The rest arrive tomorrow. Let me first say that when the news talks about it being rainy season in Haiti, they really aren't kidding. It has rained both nights - and when I say rain, I mean torrential downpour. It's the kind of rain that's so loud that you can't hear someone talking who is a foot away. The camp has tried and put gravel down in as many places as possible, but it's impossible to avoid the mud. Enough about weather.
It was awesome to see almost all my patients again. When I walked into camp, some of them saw me and came running over to hug me. Which was great, because most of them couldn't even walk when I left last time. It's so great to see how much progress they've made. A couple of them still have their external fixators. One of our team's goals is to remove all the remaining fixators in the camp.
I've been told that I'm taking over as "charge nurse" for the camp. The current charge nurse, Lisa Friesen (we were together on the first Op Smile team here) spent the day going over everything and introducing me to everyone. So, I'll be responsible to make sure all the tents have nursing coverage, as well as the ARC (American Refuge Camp - about a mile away from us) clinic is staffed with a nurse and MD. I also do all of the "discharges" - which involves making sure people who are well enough to leave the camp have a place to go, and supplies so we don't just kick them out on the street. We've been giving tents, cooking oil, rice and clothing to everyone who is returning to Port-au-Prince. So it will be a busy week.
I had a chicken and dumpling MRE for dinner last night and was pleasantly suprised at how good it was.
It was fun to be able to talk to Ken, Ian and Madison via Skype last night(Haeli wasn't home). It's amazing how quickly I start missing my family. Love you guys!!
Despite it being only 9pm, I'm exhausted and better get to bed. It's great to be back.