Unbelievable!

I can't believe I am about to leave Haiti for the 2nd time. I am finally on the internet for a minute so wanted to at least post once from Haiti proper.

It has been a wonderful wonderful week and I am in awe of the great things I see. The people of Haiti are a strong lot. They are inspiring and always have a smile on their face. I have learned a lot from my time here.

This is my 2nd go-around and I feel I was more effective this time since I "know the ropes". There wasn't much of a learning curve so I could hop right in and get to work. The days were long but only 8am to 5:30pm each day so the evenings were free to visit the kids and paint some nails or hand out toys.

I admit I did go to the UN for dinner on Fri, Sat, Sun! It was a lot of fun and nice to be around everyone in a setting outside of camp. I lived in a tent with Sue out side of the main tent which was heaven! Except for the night it rained...more on that later.

I have lots of photos and lots of stories so stay tuned!

Goodbye from Haiti.
PS I am learning Creole!

Good thoughts and Prayers Needed

Hello Everyone! I am packing for Haiti! I hope to catch a flight to Miami area tomorrow and the on to a charter flight to Haiti on Tuesday morning. There was an "all call" for volunteers and for those who had been there before to get back. I am excited and ready to go! Call me if you want to give good wishes!

Author's Note:

I don't write these stories to make less of what is a tragic situation, I write these stories to let the reader know about real people and real situations. Sometimes you have to laugh or you would be overwhelmed by the sadness. We were working in a hospital camp that is made of plywood and tents. We watched people in their last hours and held babies that no longer have parents. We heard the airplanes and helicopters 24/7 taking off and landing just 200 yards from where we were. We heard the crying and we heard the prayers. It was life changing. I'm no hero, I am just a person who felt/feels convicted to do her part and I have the time and family and friend's encouragement to go to Haiti and work. I want to write a blog about my experience and my feelings; what it is like as a lay person to go there and work and about the new friends I met while there. I can't wait to get back.

Peace & Love,
CJ

Full Moons and Shampoo

I have camped before, I have gone without baths and hot meals, no biggie. When we got to Haiti and settled we went straight to work and truth be told after 10 hours in the sun you can't smell yourself anymore so it's all good. I admit I went through a lot of baby wipes. The smell of baby powder will stay with me for a long time. Eventually though you want to take a shower just to relax and refresh.

I took my first shower on Tuesday night at midnight. I knew it was just cold water but I didn't care. I got my undies, jammies, soap, shampoo and towel and marched myself out to the shower. There are four shower stalls with plywood in between and a shower curtain. My shower was fairly uneventful once I got past the feeling of being exposed. I just enjoyed the water and the feeling of shampoo in my hair. I remember that night was the night before the full moon so the sky was beautiful. I also got a giggle from thinking, there's a full moon in the sky and a full moon right here in the next shower stall.

That was my only real shower for the week. On Thursday I wanted to take a shower but there was no water so I found a large gallon container of water and took a splash bath in the shower. THAT water was cold! I slept great that night.

This is a little boring because my shower scenes weren't thrilling but my friend Michelle had a funny story which she has given me permission to tell:

At camp there was a really good looking Dr.; he was from New Orleans and he was fun and laid back. Most of the time the men turned their back to the women in the shower to give a little privacy. That is the thought that you go in there with and the reason you can close your eyes to shampoo your hair and clean yourself with vigor.

Michelle was taking a much needed and much wanted shower enjoying the cool water when she felt someone looking at her. She turned around and the cute Dr. was staring over the plywood at her. She was startled and jumped back a little, eyes wide and embarrassed.

He smiled, winked and said, "Rock-n-Roll Baby!" and kept right on with his shower!

Do you Voodoo? aka Can I have a blanket, can I ,can I?

When supplies came in to camp like blankets or sheets they became a hot commodity. I would get a box of them to stash in my tent and the nurses or helpers would come out to get the blanket - those were the only ones allowed to take a blanket. My new friend, Michelle May, was working in the Peds tent and we would cut the blankets in half for the babes and then she'd deliver them.

The Haitians, who were visitors to the patients and sitting right outside my tent, kept asking for blankets. We had to say no since the blankets were for the patients only. They would ask and ask, then get an interpreter and ask again and again. Our answer was the same.

It was a little cooler at night but never what I would describe as cold, but for the locals it was cool. So they'd ask and ask and ask again. Wear em' down and they'll give us a blanket. I felt like crap saying no but I knew that we didn't have many blankets and the patients come first. So the answer is no. You get the idea.

Well, one lady about 5 foot nothing in a red shirt and pants gave me the evil eye, then she crossed her arms over her ample bosom, turned in a circle three times, mumbled something, stared at me, nodded and then made spatting noises. Then she sat down. S*it I thought, I've just been hexed, this woman put a voodoo curse on me! I was kind of freaked out in an amused sort of way.

Michelle came back in to the tent and I pulled her to the side and told her what happened and asked if she believed in voodoo. We both laughed but it was the "I'm a little nervous" kind of laugh. So Michelle decided to get to the bottom of things and went to ask a Haitian American Dr. she had been working with what he thought.

I waited in my tent guarding the blankets for her to come back.

When she returned this is what she told me:

She had asked the Dr. if he believed in voodoo and then told him the story.

The Dr. asked, "Are you single" She said, "Yes."

He gave her the evil eye, crossed his arms over his chest, turned in a circle three times, mumbled something, stared at her, nodded and then made spatting noises.

He asked, "Will you sleep with me in my tent tonight?" Michelle said, "Nope."

The Dr. sighed and said, "Then voodoo doesn't work."

HAHAHAHA!

where we lived. Project Medishare Field Hospital

I will make this one quick just to get something up. I have been getting so many people asking where did you live, what was it like so I am putting up a picture. I will explain more later on. Have a great night.

Joelle, the little boy who stole my heart

The day before I left Haiti while I was in the WC Tent and it was hot, I was contemplating another bottle of water when I heard a shuffle. I looked up at the entrance to the area and there was a woman holding a little boy. His sweet little face a little dirty but those big eyes shining.

Sherry, the lady who was holding him asked for some Pedialyte and water. I gave them to her and then took the little boy in to my arms. He drank a little and then snuggled up on my shoulder, face to my neck and fell asleep. I just melted. I could feel his breath on my neck and I just fell in love. I worked around the tent handing out supplies and working while I was holding this little precious while he slept.

Sherry told me his story and am SO glad I had my Jackie O sunglasses on because the tears just started. While her group was in the mountains working giving food and assistance they helped out with getting the locals settled. When their helicopter came to take them out and back to PAP an older gentleman ran up and threw the little boy in to the helicopter. She said he hadn't spoken at all and didn't know much about him. This made me hold him even tighter. What a sweetheart. His tiny arms around my neck and the feel of his sweaty little face. WOW!

When he woke up he wrapped his fingers around my hand and wouldn't let go. I asked an interpreter to come over and talk to him. The interpreter ask him his name and he said Joelle. How old, "Three." Then the interpreter ask his how he was doing and he said, "Some good. Some bad." When I was told this I just about lost it! This kid had been through hell and there was nothing I could do but hold him tight and kiss his head over and over.

Joelle told the interpreter that he was hungry so Sherry went to the Supply Tent and got some rice and beans. Joelle ate it all and then wanted more but he needed to take a break and not eat too much. What a cutie. After he ate he perked up and sat up in my lap. He put his elbow up on my boob like the back of a couch and rested his head on his hand. It was hysterical and I was glad to help. Several people came out and took pictures of us sitting there like that. It was funny!
Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of him.

Way too soon it was time for Sherry to take Joelle to the orphanage and get him settled. She went to take him from me and he clung to me, then shook his head no. I was so emotional and hated to let this little guy go. I kissed his cheeks and his head and then let him go. I don't know and won't know what ever happened to him. I just hope and pray that he is healthy and happy and having fun. I hope he goes to a terrific and loving family.

This boy touched me in my heart and took a piece of it with him. I hope my thoughts, prayers and good energy reach him and that he has a good life. Who knows, maybe we will run in to each other again some day.

Wound Care Tent & sending lots of love

I miss the Wound Care Tent. Early afternoon on Day 1 I was brought over to the Wound Care Tent where I would spend the rest of my time in Haiti. My job was to organize the wound care supplies, set up a system and work with the crews. Ahh, the crews! What terrific people! I met hardworking men and women from all over the world. They are nurses and EMT's and just great people. A whoop whoop and shout out to Kay in Australia!

Since 85-90% of the patients have a myriad of wounds from falling concrete, burns, lacerations, etc. it's just too much, along with everything else for the nurses to take care of so the wound care area was born.

Dr. MacDonald, meet Christine...I don't know if Doc was ready for me but we both had a quirky brand of humor and we got along like a house a fire!

I felt needed and wanted and empowered while in Haiti. I felt like I was doing some good for the people and also helping out the teams to be just a little bit more efficient. And I have to mention that it helped me. I wouldn't say that I am a selfish person but I do get down and out sometimes, being in Haiti and seeing those patients and interacting with the workers just opened my heart more and I am a better person now.

I'm a smiler (is that a word?) I like to smile, I think that a smile is universal. And it doesn't hurt that I had a stash of candy in my "tent" to give out to our great military. I fixed their boo boos when they came in to camp and sent them on their way with a clean wound and some twizzlers! I like to think that I made them happy. Everyone worked so hard! I miss you all so much.

Dee from Switzerland was so terrific! She and I had some wonderful chats and she gave me some advice about coming home that really helped me. I read on her Facebook that she is back in Haiti already. You go girl! I hope to see you again soon.

Erika will be on The Doctors TV show on February 17th talking about her time in Haiti and about wound care. Everyone tune in!!

That's it for tonight! I am really missing working down there and hope to get back soon. I am working on it with Lisa and Michelle and crew so we'll see!!

Sweet dreams everyone!

ranting and raving then hoping for a good night's sleep

I don't begrudge anyone their religion. I am an equal opportunity type when it comes to religion but this news piece reared it's head again today along with a post on YouTube and I feel the need to give my two cents. The first bit is Pat Robertson saying that Haiti is cursed because of a pact with the Devil and the second bit is a video of the patients in Haiti at the Project Medishare/University of Miami Hospital tent singing Praises to God. It was a beautiful site for the eyes and the ears and the heart. I had the privilege of being there that night and words just cannot describe the feeling of being in my little tent outside of the hospital and hearing the sweet voices from within. Those voices beckoned us to come in and rejoice.

My French Creole isn't very good but I know my English. Right around 5:50 you can hear them sing in English, "God I praise you. God I praise you." Forgive me the sarcasm but does that sound like a pact with the Devil?

From the CBS news website: http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2010/01/13/crimesider/entry6092717.shtml

An excerpt from this piece: Pat Robertson, the American Christian televangelist and host of "The 700 Club," said that Haitians need to have a "great turning to god" while he was reporting on the devastating 7.0 earthquake that shook the island nation — the most powerful to hit the country in a century.

Robertson took to the airwaves Wednesday on his show and said that the country has been "cursed by one thing after another" since they "swore a pact to the devil."

"Something happened a long time ago in Haiti and people might not want to talk about," Robertson said Tuesday.

This is the link for the video on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_l7bc1b2B3Y

There is a gentleman in a blue shirt and hat in the video, his name is Joseph. I know you won't know exactly who I am talking about by looking but he's there and he's a good man. He worked as an interpreter for the adult hospital tent and he cared deeply about what he was doing. I miss him and our talks. God Bless you and your family Joseph I hope to see you again some day.

OK, stepping off of my box.

Day One Notes

It's an effort for me today to not be bitter towards society. I drove to a meeting this morning, the furthest I've driven from home since coming back from Haiti, and I have had to check myself more than a few times. I'm bitter toward others and keep wanting to shout at them: Why are you honking at that person the light JUST turned green? Be nice and let someone have the good parking space you can walk just fine. Must you make that gesture?? I am trying not to be judgmental because really it should start with me right, but it's just one of those days. I need to crawl back in to my hole for another day and ease out again tomorrow.

Instead of continuing with day-to-day I decided to copy some of the thoughts I jotted down on day one in Haiti while I was getting to know my role and watching others around me by the Wound Care tent. I think it speaks volumes and reading it makes me feel a little better.

Day 1:

Well, I've already cried a little. Imagine that, me emotional. What right do I have to cry, I just got here!? These beautiful people are so strong. I am working in the Wound Care Tent organizing the medical supplies and patient list for the crew. It's been 8 hours but I have made it my own and plan on making this as efficient as possible so the wound crew can get to as many patients as possible. I want the patients to remain comfortable. Also, I see the people in the out-patient area and I want them prioritized because it's hot and uncomfortable.

I am learning the different names of the supplies and what's funny is the different countries have different names for things, for example: The padding that goes underneath a patient to capture fluids the Americans call a "chuck' the Aussies call it a "bluie". It's like a game show. One of the guys from the Netherlands came in and said, "I don't know this in English but when you get a splinter this gets it out." Oooooo, pick me pick me! The answer is Tweezers!

At different times of the day patients come in. Ebb and Flow.

11pm:
Today a woman has been sitting outside of my tent holding her very tiny baby. The baby has a head wound and it has been changed but she just sits. She has been given food and supplies for the baby but still sits. I don't know exactly how long she's been here but I'm going on 12 hours. She doesn't want to go home. Really, what home? Here she can eat and have clean water. People are sleeping in the streets even if they have a home because they are afraid to be under a roof. This makes me want to work harder.

God Bless them all and God Bless the workers. I am getting excited for the cot. It's almost midnight now. Really I need to organize my bags but to do that I would have to stay awake and I am not willing to lose a minute of sleep. I want to be fresh and ready for tomorrow. P.S. I hear they pump AC in to the tent at night - I'm ready to find out for myself.

Good night.

You Want Me To Pee Where?

Once we got in to the Project Medishare/University of Miami camp and put our bags away in the big tent the first question I had was, "Where's the toilet?" It had been a long morning already. Peggy (Who I'd met a mere few hours earlier) and I trooped right over to the other side of the wall, took one look at the "Ladies", shrugged and said, "I'll ignore any sounds you make if you ignore mine." And up we went on to the hole. And I do mean hole. I baby wiped the space and yes I did sit. Sometimes squatting isn't ..well, just isn't. Peggy and I bonded right then and there. Whoever built the potty put up a short wall on the base of the contraption to give some semblance of privacy but really at that point, who cares?

I knew two things right then and there: One: Any modesty I had left had flew the coop and Two: Peggy and I are bonded for life on a level that few people achieve.

Sitting there looking at the Mickey Mouse comforter that posed as a shield, listening to the trucks rumble by on the other side of the wall and hearing the generators roar behind us I knew this was going to be a week I'd never forget.

I do have to tell you - if there is in fact anyone reading this - that within a day there were several more porta potties which I was happy to frequent over the other choice. But if you ever meet someone and would like to bond, I know a place you can go.

Why would you go to Haiti???

I have been nervous to begin writing but the Divine Miss M (you know who you are) said just write to myself. So here goes. The big question before I left and somewhat since I returned is Why?. Why would you go there? Why do you feel you need to go to Haiti? Why?

This trip came about so quickly that it took me a few days to answer that question for myself. I watched the news and I read the online papers. I saw the devastation of the earthquake and I said my prayers for Haiti but that was it. Until I saw the Facebook status of Aaron wanting to put together a group to go to Haiti. Hey, here's my chance, get off my butt and make it work so I did.

I think we all go through the days and weeks watching the news or hearing people talk about how they wish they could help, they wish they could do more. I got the chance to do more and I did it. That's about it.

I was out with a friend for a movie and all the way home all I could think about was how simple it would be for me to go. I'm healthy, I have the time... by the time I drove in to the driveway of the house I had made up my mind.

I have a supportive husband (who was shocked, I think) but he said, "GO". I contacted Aaron and was on the list. Here we go I thought now what: Shots! I am up on my shots from previous travels I just needed a tetanus booster, typhoid, and that nasty H1N1 I had been putting off. Packing easy to eat food, all of my old underwear, shorts I didn't care to bring back, bug spray, baby wipes, socks and licorice. I was ready. Jim was kind enough to transfer over to me a Southwest free ticket he had and he made the arrangements for me and then took me to the airport. What a guy!

While I was in Florida waiting to go to the airport and meet the group someone asked me again, why? And made it clear that they thought the Haitians were a "non-people" bottom of the barrel type. This hit me like a knife in the gut but I kept my cool because everyone is entitled to their opinion but I cannot and will not believe that anyone on this earth is a non-person, uncivilized, bottom of the rung.

That still doesn't really answer why but it gives you the beginning because I don't think even I understood why until I was there and saw the need and the impact that just one person can make in someones life. How a touch of the hand or a nod and a smile can change someones day completely.

The picture is of part of our crew when we first arrived in to PAP. The beginning of something that changed me.

Next up...You Want Me To Pee Where?

Random thought/blog #1

I love quotes. Reading what others said that make a point you can follow. Since I have joined Twitter I've noticed it is all a twitter (forgive the pun) with quotes. It seems people see or hear a line and adopt it but don't know the words all around the quote which can be just as important. My dad always told me to look at the whole picture, don't just take snippets -live the whole. So with that, I want to start my blog letting you, the reader, know that I will not give you pieces or halves, I will give you my whole.

One of my favorites:
"All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost; the old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not reached by the frost. From the ashes a fire shall be woken, a light from the shadows shall spring; renewed shall be blade that was broken, the crown-less again shall be king." J.R.R. Tolkien