Hump day

Trip Start May 15, 2010
1
8
10
Trip End May 23, 2010


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Friday, May 21, 2010

Another fun, but crazy day.  I can't believe how the ER is full by 7:45 every morning and stays that way for the entire day.  The number of untreated hernias alone is mind boggling, but the sad ones are the kids and especially the burns.  We saw a kid today who have a seizure and fell into a fire 5 days ago.  They had been treating with some traditional medicine since and finally came to the hospital.  Then, I saw a girl whose hip had been dislocated since the earthquake from a fracture of her pelvis.  She had been put in traction for weeks, but, of course, dislocated again right when they took it off, since the part of the pelvis that holds it in place was no longer there.  She is 13.  I actually called Mark Swiontkowski on his cell phone to seek advice, which he was nice enough to give (Thanks, Mark!).

Story after story like that....  My leg has hurt since "the event" - Well lets take an x-ray.  Oh look, a 4 month old, fully healed in the wrong place fracture in your tibia.  Well, in the states we could offer you a total knee, but, as Alec would say, "we don't have that," so here is a shot of cortisone.  Come back in 3-6 months when it wears off.  Try to keep this 1/2 sheet of paper until then, so the next people don't have the same experience of discovery. Whose next !?!

We are hopefully going out on a tour tomorrow.  I have still not been off the campus here.  We have been doing 20-25 cases a day and routinely finishing between 11 and 2am.  Obviously it would be nice to see PAP up close.  Everyone keeps talking about how there is no evidence of any sort of rebuilding project.  In fact, there is not even evidence of clearing of the rubble.  No dump trucks or cranes or any type of heavy equipment. 

Two more full days.  The slow influx of new people starts tomorrow, but the work marches on.  As we left the OR tonight, the schedule listed 21 for tomorrow and I know that ER will be full when I walk by at 7:45!

Noah & Alec-
Thanks for the pics!  Love you both and see you soon.

Comments

Gpa Bob & Gma Sheila on

Noah & Alec slept over for the first time!!! Alec slept in the closet (like Brandtie) in his tent and Noah slept next to gma SheIla on the floor (just like Taylor). We got up before the sun at 5:15!!! We then gathered our treats and juice and went out to the craftroom. Alec says "I love you Daddy!!"

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