We had a mission

Our assignment for the day via Marie LeConte, anesthesiologist, was to organize their storerooms and unpack all of the supplies they received in donation after the earthquake. We came across boxes from Miami, University of Virginia, and others; they needed to be unpacked and reorganized within small store rooms outside of the OR's. We are in hopes that our efforts today will assist the Justinian operating room in maintaining some semblance of stabilization. 9 hours was spent by Linda and Joanne organizing the soft goods from anesthesia equipment, medications, and I.V. solutions to name a few. U.N. Chilean soldiers came in to take photos of the anesthesia machine and the C-arm to see if they could help repair very necessary equipment to run the operating rooms. For example, the C-arm( portable x-ray machine) has not been working for 6 months.

Marietta and March spent the bulk of their day on the surgical ward again changing dressings. The goal of their day was to better integrate with the nursing staff. They got to meet the ward nurses, the student nurses, and made a connection with the charge nurse. March relays that the singing from family members and people from the community really leaves an impression. They sing religious hymns that are supposed to help the sick.

It was challenging standing by in silence while certain solutions were placed in wounds that we no longer use in the U.S.-knowing that it destroys healthy tissue rather than help it grow. The 2 joined us in the afternoon to pitch in with the organizing of the supply closets. Dr. Cushing and his son Jay were also there throughout the day helping with organizing supplies.

Matt's job today began by unpacking all of the orthopedic equipment that we brought while trying to marry that with other ortho equipment that was sent by other donors. The OR's were ready to go by 9:30am and Matt joined with the local orthopod, Dr. Pierre-Louis to operate on a bad hip fracture. He came out of that one completely drenched. Of course there are no AC's. It is extremely hot and muggy. They were operating on a very small woman. The instrumentation to make way for the prosthesis was medium to large. There was a concern that they would fracture the femur while working, however there was quite a bit of fanfare finding the right size prosthesis; they did!

The next patient for the 2 surgeons to tackle was in a failed rodding of a femur. (all without C-arm/x-ray) The rod came out easily, however the fixation to follow was not as simple. In Matt's words "it would have been difficult even in the best of circumstances". "Ray, this one would have been a good one for you."(you know for him to say this it had to have been difficult) Please note, other entries regarding Matt have been the girls ad libbing...... he's been a good sport.

The rod resulted in plate and screws and because they only have one length screw, they had to cut them all with bolt cutters before they put them in. (Weak armed guys struggle with that!)

Marie, anesthesiologist, wants to open the maternity ward tomorrow so that the orthopedic cases can get done before Matt leaves on Friday. She has asked Linda and Joanne to go over and open up the operating room; now that would be a site since one of us had no idea what they are doing in the OR.....

By 5pm the majority of the team was walking back to the hotel, which takes about 15 minutes of navigating narrow and busy side streets. Several of us (Joanne and Linda) could not find their way alone yet.

It rained so hard last night and the streets were still full of puddles and quite muddy.

Sam Broadus was the diplomat all day long; he supported Matt in the operating room by assisting with translating.

We say goodbye to Brad and Jay Cushing who leave for home tomorrow. Brad is looking forward to returning to work the very next day (not!)

Please note photos are hard to send via this remote area; we think due to their size. Perhaps JP can give us some advice?

We say goodnight for now; time for our 2nd meal of the day. Wishing you sweet dreams.

Love you all!

OA Haiti Team