tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85308328065166646292024-02-19T01:54:47.395-08:00Mission Haiti.. Project Change Bermuda and Feed My LambsMedics and relief workers have flown from Bermuda to earthquake-stricken Haiti, bringing cash, medical supplies and hope.
It's hoped the team of doctors - Christopher Johnson, Stanley James and Alicia Stovell-Washington will be able to perform up to 150 life-saving operations over the next ten days.
(Text Courtesy, Royal Gazette)Veronica's Storyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14875024982111324935noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530832806516664629.post-50662692137171191942010-01-31T14:49:00.000-08:002010-01-31T17:08:41.924-08:00Time To Hand Over The Baton. Another Team Arrives, As We Depart..<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwDN1-zFz28aAdCygiCF6gvCtu3e7XSZ_bOu27dLBuRt78Y3a4aRJtwSrHrn7rhA47pnJVQDzuLTRqxdKdaqZfN8dIXflsmSZKGFZRket09-IWonR-WCoy1jWOOqPz6qcNVJtEeRCQgE0/s1600-h/choppersarrive+.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 303px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwDN1-zFz28aAdCygiCF6gvCtu3e7XSZ_bOu27dLBuRt78Y3a4aRJtwSrHrn7rhA47pnJVQDzuLTRqxdKdaqZfN8dIXflsmSZKGFZRket09-IWonR-WCoy1jWOOqPz6qcNVJtEeRCQgE0/s400/choppersarrive+.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433040499322094402" border="0" /></a><br />Montrouis, Haiti. January 31, 2010<br /><br />No doubt this will be the last installment written in Haiti for this mission. We are schedule to be flown out of Port aux Prince by Mark Byrne of Longtail Aviation and Flagstone Re. It is time to say Au Revoir to Haiti; yes, until we meet again. On the drive to town, it was apparent that the earthquake did not crush the will of worshipers to gather for Sunday services. Many churches have been decimated, forces services outside. Churches are not only places of worship in Haiti, the compounds also serve as living quarters for the members. I visited one church this morning and several of their parish members died in the melee of the earthquake. This church held their service under a canopy made out of an army parachute. This is also were the congregation sleeps at night. The Pastor defiantly reassured me that they would rebuild but he confessed that he did not know from where the money would come. Haitians are simply not built to break. If I was a betting man, I would place my money on this preacher and Haiti to overcome any obstacles.<br /><br />We completed a total of 115 surgeries with today's procedures. Unfortunately, there are so many patients that require procedures and ongoing care. We are now tasked with staffing and securing funding for this lonely outpost of a clinic. Again. If "faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains" I would wager that Phillip Rego and his Ministry will be providing excellent medical care to the needy for a very long time. For the moment, this weary surgeon and his team will have to be rotated to the back of the battle field. We will eternally grateful for the steadfast dedication, work ethic, and love the surgical gave without hesitation. Dr Alicia Stovell-Washington worked tirelessly and seemingly effortlessly, often outside of her field of training. For this she is deserving of a medal of honour or the Bermuda equivalent. Our surgical technicians were no less impressive in their devotion, sacrifice, and tenacious will to achieve our goal of providing world-class surgery to these humble Haitians in their hour of need. We would also like to extend a debt gratitude to Lois Wilson and Dianne Flood who, from Bermuda planned, worried, and willed us through this mission through their words on encouragement and their deeds. We would also like to thank Dr Stanley James and the EMTs (Erin Lovell and David Foley), who participated in the mission. Additionally, the two surgical techs - Derrick McLin and Derrick Washington. <br />Their contribution will not be easily forgotten. Finally, this mission would not be possible were it not for the vision, sweat, blood, and tears of the beknighted Phillip Rego. This is a humble man who performs noble acts with the stealth of a "thief in the middle of the night.". He represents the best that Bermuda can be and we are proud to have shared this pivotal moment in the history of Haiti with him. We leave in the knowledge that Haiti will survive and thrive. We are taking with us some life altering lessons on dignity in the face of overwhelming despair and triumph on the precipice of crushing defeat. We leave a part of heart here with the promise that we return and continue the work that we have started. Au Revoir, Au Revoir Haiti: Until we next meet.<br /><br /><br />Dr. Christopher JohnsonVeronica's Storyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14875024982111324935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530832806516664629.post-74202080922263938852010-01-31T13:52:00.000-08:002010-01-31T14:54:59.480-08:00The Contrast...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd4oHY2rRm6TQyxgF8Wqked8yfjAcOvcT8TVHKLcjw_dHsPdgLGfuMBaFRmEFwbQYSOY24rJULev3AWFaBgSuaKZBLYdUpN1BJdSD2rIG-LAf700N2BYTsMh54nIRi_d_aZICcNAPFBb4/s1600-h/dusk.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd4oHY2rRm6TQyxgF8Wqked8yfjAcOvcT8TVHKLcjw_dHsPdgLGfuMBaFRmEFwbQYSOY24rJULev3AWFaBgSuaKZBLYdUpN1BJdSD2rIG-LAf700N2BYTsMh54nIRi_d_aZICcNAPFBb4/s400/dusk.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433025488419329650" border="0" /></a><br />Dusk at Montrouis. The mission is now over. 115 surgeries completed. This is a picture of contrast: There is a fisherman close to the shore and an aircraft carrier in the background.Veronica's Storyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14875024982111324935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530832806516664629.post-79403850237371339292010-01-31T13:37:00.000-08:002010-01-31T13:49:18.544-08:00What To Do With The Dead? (So many...)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXUfnFnsajWrXnPopJpSP1PeawzsVr3QsvNVUMotIf9zSZtMMN_g_hNWMR82CPf_kbKWU8jcIGZQ5b8ZeroOieugX4UClSvaqIw025TZ6nX3wTI2Q4jSDEcMhh-tqI8c4FuuX86182MfY/s1600-h/massgrave.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 303px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXUfnFnsajWrXnPopJpSP1PeawzsVr3QsvNVUMotIf9zSZtMMN_g_hNWMR82CPf_kbKWU8jcIGZQ5b8ZeroOieugX4UClSvaqIw025TZ6nX3wTI2Q4jSDEcMhh-tqI8c4FuuX86182MfY/s400/massgrave.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433024324003974626" border="0" /></a><br />Site of mass graves for victims of the earthquake. Located just north of Port aux Prince.Veronica's Storyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14875024982111324935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530832806516664629.post-70899903943390845212010-01-31T13:35:00.000-08:002010-01-31T13:37:04.131-08:00Missing Parishioners... II<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIStgdaEqnaeirF81yplQG5TRGXqG0vXCx9zMGgZ8SHtkuFntfuN97g5BkCzulfHwH0rPy7TwlMogevHM_ikw16F6w1DlB1EBeG_g92_Z_F2vG1WILhJNBcm8l-JGj7p9TXiTeFR95k20/s1600-h/missingparishioners2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIStgdaEqnaeirF81yplQG5TRGXqG0vXCx9zMGgZ8SHtkuFntfuN97g5BkCzulfHwH0rPy7TwlMogevHM_ikw16F6w1DlB1EBeG_g92_Z_F2vG1WILhJNBcm8l-JGj7p9TXiTeFR95k20/s400/missingparishioners2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433021165412531186" border="0" /></a>Veronica's Storyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14875024982111324935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530832806516664629.post-61223821870595895572010-01-31T13:32:00.000-08:002010-01-31T13:35:28.189-08:00Missing Parishioners...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUuHH4s3UQKNcunYap_j2Ykidc7pef_iITIY94eKZNNp9KJvrMNYhj2fhqVaxj7jpE6N6kfTvBhfy6aEQJGbBty7h9TXpkIjxIisH17JdGdY2F20Tum0DaHz-9Vg4AvuEdqDsrzxvNUlE/s1600-h/church.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUuHH4s3UQKNcunYap_j2Ykidc7pef_iITIY94eKZNNp9KJvrMNYhj2fhqVaxj7jpE6N6kfTvBhfy6aEQJGbBty7h9TXpkIjxIisH17JdGdY2F20Tum0DaHz-9Vg4AvuEdqDsrzxvNUlE/s400/church.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433020753712685858" border="0" /></a><br />Church service was held for this congregation under a parachute made into a tent. Many of the parishioners were killed during the quake. The Minister plans to rebuild but he does not know where they will get the money.Veronica's Storyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14875024982111324935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530832806516664629.post-64327674440210461312010-01-30T16:39:00.000-08:002010-01-30T16:41:37.725-08:00103 Operations...Bon Repos, Haiti. January 30th, 2010<br /><br />Today we operated on 6 patients bringing our total number of surgical procedures performed during this mission to 103. We treated a 5 year old with 2nd degree burns of the abdomen. She fell into an open fire whilst playing. Her mother and 3 other siblings have been living in a car since the earthquake. Our unsuspecting patient fell into a fire used for cooking. The mother was hungry, exhausted, and nursing an infant of 2-3 months in age. We had purchased rice, onions, and noodles for our lunch but these were quickly passed on to this family that needed sustenance more than we did. (See photos below..)<br /><br />Our clinic ended early and I took a motorcycle ride to the center of town. As I moved closer to the epicenter, I felt as though I was descending into Dante's circles of hell and suffering. The excessive magnitude of the earthquake is underscored in the accordion-like toppling of multistory buildings. Whilst the world has seen the front of the Presidential palace with its fallen domes and collapsed central roof, few have seen the back of the palace which looks as though an enormous machete simple surgically sliced off the posterior walls. You look into the offices as one would a doll house that has missing walls. The number of shattered buildings is overwhelming and I did not realise how affected I was until I felt moisture on my cheeks, which much to my surprise proved to be tears.<br /><br />In the vicinity of the Presidential Palace are tent cities set up in the Parks, known as the Champs de Mars. If Port aux Prince is Dante's Inferno then the tents cities are incarnations of his Purgatory. The people are calm though visible worn by either trauma or hunger or perhaps both. This notion that we need security is simply ludicrous. There is order, as can be seen with the vendors, port-o-potties, and areas to wash. Statues of the heroes of the independence movement of Haiti (Henri Christophe, Jean Jacques Desaline,Pontion) loom high above the tent cities; they appear like shepherds mourning over troubled flocks.<br /><br />Dante's final canto in the Divine Comedy is Paradise. Though it is imagine that anything other than despair could exist at the Heart of Darkness of this earthquake;I can say I found hope in the smiles of children playing in the tent city. I saw expectations for better times every time I heard someone shout God Bless America to a US Soldier. This moment, this tranquility, this honeymoon period will not last forever nor is it unconditional. Haiti will need partnerships in rebuilding for a long time and we shall all be held accountable. When CNN, the BBC, FOX News all turn their attention to some more newsworthy event: Haitians will still be caught somewhere between the Inferno or Purgatory, unless the world take this on as long term project similar to the Marshall Plan that rebuilt Europe after WW II.Veronica's Storyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14875024982111324935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530832806516664629.post-51644141008966380922010-01-30T16:35:00.000-08:002010-01-30T16:38:10.384-08:00Palace Destroyed...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3EC4bRsB0dPyIriTEv8oAazXOzRNc_MIAPf5eYfL_bIAHXbJNrkBmk2gcLTBC5M1lCEU9_lHHpU5Z5WLRc3qB9646D8_FoeS8IBlkQQfPLaFy94qcm5krU4BsHS2KthwvmZpCTe6c9qo/s1600-h/palace+.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 161px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3EC4bRsB0dPyIriTEv8oAazXOzRNc_MIAPf5eYfL_bIAHXbJNrkBmk2gcLTBC5M1lCEU9_lHHpU5Z5WLRc3qB9646D8_FoeS8IBlkQQfPLaFy94qcm5krU4BsHS2KthwvmZpCTe6c9qo/s400/palace+.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432696764646142178" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The front of the Presidential Palace.Veronica's Storyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14875024982111324935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530832806516664629.post-32222081862874951172010-01-30T16:33:00.001-08:002010-01-30T16:34:26.969-08:00Destroyed Market...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8mdkGwDugfuFZqGJMp7wQYWMRN5FLnpbVvzsbNagg82WzWrVtPvzvVNSqgoCE7QWWxPa66jbCs6O9avXvM-cnXxsyuKV8pMwaD_rhnDgJpqIVmYuAZ84dNb9PxQxg04fncvtQQYf13JM/s1600-h/Market.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8mdkGwDugfuFZqGJMp7wQYWMRN5FLnpbVvzsbNagg82WzWrVtPvzvVNSqgoCE7QWWxPa66jbCs6O9avXvM-cnXxsyuKV8pMwaD_rhnDgJpqIVmYuAZ84dNb9PxQxg04fncvtQQYf13JM/s400/Market.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432695753066265554" border="0" /></a><br />The Destroyed Public Market- Hippolyte of Port aux Prince.Veronica's Storyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14875024982111324935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530832806516664629.post-71948380211169415122010-01-30T16:29:00.000-08:002010-01-30T16:32:45.197-08:00Bus Trapped...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpEzi7hJuUJkvorlE3ha_ydDZKPSWpmhXSDFRiSHGHq7Pnimi2Gqn8LKSQ_ZTX3Wv9qA3myXlvayXUxZAtVJ8NN_w5M3FxzsOCII3kGdgCLrpu1pp56KzjjgEMZpfFng0aly-cZnQX_JU/s1600-h/bus.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpEzi7hJuUJkvorlE3ha_ydDZKPSWpmhXSDFRiSHGHq7Pnimi2Gqn8LKSQ_ZTX3Wv9qA3myXlvayXUxZAtVJ8NN_w5M3FxzsOCII3kGdgCLrpu1pp56KzjjgEMZpfFng0aly-cZnQX_JU/s400/bus.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432695312334169410" border="0" /></a><br />Bus trapped under the destroyed Nursing School of Port aux Prince.Veronica's Storyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14875024982111324935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530832806516664629.post-66121261144266091792010-01-30T10:17:00.000-08:002010-01-30T10:18:33.175-08:00Vendor hawking medicines outside of tent city today.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEPRtDirBa1TTsqT6UUFnKyWcmC680nCQU60S_xhavwZy0k6uYKhx2xZYaLrKOnD7qxLTNkgB12-bltWuHHeF6MWCpe0-TDd3lIc1wfYynmc4i1o6bJRpQdvEIMoyeUAjp-ntsIR0Qqac/s1600-h/medsforsale.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEPRtDirBa1TTsqT6UUFnKyWcmC680nCQU60S_xhavwZy0k6uYKhx2xZYaLrKOnD7qxLTNkgB12-bltWuHHeF6MWCpe0-TDd3lIc1wfYynmc4i1o6bJRpQdvEIMoyeUAjp-ntsIR0Qqac/s400/medsforsale.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432598939530335378" border="0" /></a>Veronica's Storyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14875024982111324935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530832806516664629.post-21518199928515790102010-01-30T10:16:00.001-08:002010-01-30T10:16:59.928-08:00Burn Victim (Follow)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix1URpeqqiv5uxMFYElgK_ZLvRWguWYW3RzJGxm9ruIi-8r7854FztQMxsy4dTdFDHUETput0FVY-uiZPovC9cHODhv9DjLBCfnNoYKxGgEBbkt4OntBUqcHsUgaTaPNxRMqc4uLM4CV0/s1600-h/5yearoldburn.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix1URpeqqiv5uxMFYElgK_ZLvRWguWYW3RzJGxm9ruIi-8r7854FztQMxsy4dTdFDHUETput0FVY-uiZPovC9cHODhv9DjLBCfnNoYKxGgEBbkt4OntBUqcHsUgaTaPNxRMqc4uLM4CV0/s400/5yearoldburn.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432598442634310242" border="0" /></a><br />5 year old with burns of the abdomen.Veronica's Storyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14875024982111324935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530832806516664629.post-75248970716993726772010-01-30T09:18:00.001-08:002010-01-30T09:19:21.797-08:00First The Quake - Now Fire..<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7QYnUuj3fhEbyQ2koFuZW1l_NBxLzeSXnRlSdFVL01H6r6w13hOFfNbkrD9JpaZ9y47Fv9UgslxwIQipGaMZ4W8cIW-A2OmYbUSlCWHmj3wEUIe3pE2mcTFy0UtvFLhL_KOe3P89AxTM/s1600-h/fire.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7QYnUuj3fhEbyQ2koFuZW1l_NBxLzeSXnRlSdFVL01H6r6w13hOFfNbkrD9JpaZ9y47Fv9UgslxwIQipGaMZ4W8cIW-A2OmYbUSlCWHmj3wEUIe3pE2mcTFy0UtvFLhL_KOe3P89AxTM/s400/fire.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432583600833529474" border="0" /></a><br />5 year old girl fell in a fire whilst playing yesterday. She presented to our clinic with second degree abdominal burns. The patients, her mother, and three other children have been living in a car since the quake. They have barely eaten.Veronica's Storyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14875024982111324935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530832806516664629.post-74656444351889782202010-01-29T16:55:00.000-08:002010-01-29T16:57:30.021-08:00The People Are My Heroes...Montrouis, Haiti. January 29th, 2010<br /><br />Les Mise'rable<br /><br />For prophetic or perhaps poetic irony, the theme song from the popular musical Les Mise'rable was playing on the sound system of our hotel as we returned from our clinic in Port aux Prince. The backdrop of Les Mise'rable is the French Revolution; noted for starving people rioting in the streets of Paris. While we have not experienced rioting we still get reports that many people have not received food since the earthquake. Mr Rego's Ministry "Feed My Lambs" hands out care packages of rice and beans to the patients who attend our clinic. This is strong medicine that complements the surgery and drugs that we doctors administer. Many of the people who receive this support from Mr Rego and his ministry probably do not know who or where this vital help comes from. No doubt that he because it is given freely, without strings attached or paperwork. The dignity of the needy recipient is preserved and these quiet acts of selfless giving are done subtly without fanfare. I am honoured to be a witness to this ministry and I can say that Mr Rego is a role model for what philanthropy should really be.<br /><br />Our team has completed over 97 surgeries and procedures. We continue ti receive fresh casualties from the earthquake and our battle seems to be lost and won on a minute to minute basis. There is no predicting what might come through the door but my surgical team always rises to the challenge. A young woman came in with a fever to 103.9 and an infected scalp abscess. She required minute to minute care whilst other patients were also being treated. Multitasking is an underwhelming description of what is required of these surgical techs and surgeons. They too approach their craft and duties with a quiet but tenacious conviction and watching this theatre of survival and healing leaves one in awe.<br /><br />The title Les Mise'rable has been variously translated as "The Wretched, The Poor,The Victims, The Damned, or The Miserable Ones.". The doctor, the author can state without hesitation that this description would not apply to the people of Haiti. Haitian are a proud people who despite this present challenge manage to survive, dream, laugh,and share what little they have with a stranger. For 1 week, I have had the pleasure of watching these people patiently queue for medical care, push their sickest and most vulnerable to the front of the line for treatment, and accept amputations without weeping and wailing. These people are made of some resilient substance the strength of which I have never seen before. The people of Haiti are my heroes and I will always save a special place in my heart for them.<br /><br />Front the front lines of the battle,<br />CjVeronica's Storyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14875024982111324935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530832806516664629.post-1959782128769865342010-01-29T15:07:00.001-08:002010-01-29T15:10:52.738-08:0097 Surgeries And Counting...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv97eRoRsgGSXMPawe9QCd1RxzkzRTWPEayN0BGM30mljak0N30SA0YVVeL4Vsq6gM8_q8rQtiUJsp9bxqNG_ocdCcS-KyeZOdedxD8rwtI9bn67w59Za1sdTcuPY3S970Ya4z2AXlGs4/s1600-h/waiting.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv97eRoRsgGSXMPawe9QCd1RxzkzRTWPEayN0BGM30mljak0N30SA0YVVeL4Vsq6gM8_q8rQtiUJsp9bxqNG_ocdCcS-KyeZOdedxD8rwtI9bn67w59Za1sdTcuPY3S970Ya4z2AXlGs4/s400/waiting.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432302428768676898" border="0" /></a>We have to date completed 97 surgeries. Patients with untreated earthquake-related fractures and wounds continue to present to our clinic.<br /><br />Photo: <br />Children waiting to be seen today at our clinic. Some have not received medical care since the earthquake. Others require follow up.Veronica's Storyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14875024982111324935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530832806516664629.post-39652006819176905392010-01-29T15:05:00.001-08:002010-01-29T15:06:27.053-08:004 year old with untreated femur fracture. We were joined by Dr Greg Saunders, general surgeon of Coquille Oregon.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaeIUW2BNM7I6tp-RnH70mDPSFcsUn9O17FDdYx7m0sm1PbTCDI7DzSk3-LEfH2AquqWzu2d1unELIlL48ylxjAvgOCGcwleudBEFuF6DZCRvKc6_uIZFVJXujqF31wOljt178BfQ5Kxo/s1600-h/fractured+fermur.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaeIUW2BNM7I6tp-RnH70mDPSFcsUn9O17FDdYx7m0sm1PbTCDI7DzSk3-LEfH2AquqWzu2d1unELIlL48ylxjAvgOCGcwleudBEFuF6DZCRvKc6_uIZFVJXujqF31wOljt178BfQ5Kxo/s400/fractured+fermur.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432302022356472290" border="0" /></a>Veronica's Storyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14875024982111324935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530832806516664629.post-90526687873628438722010-01-29T15:03:00.001-08:002010-01-29T15:04:07.688-08:00Child with broken femur now in body cast.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYnZz9C3noOqaeTMHtqS4q5Hr74Nka96k4GuHTCteYg_Zp0PKqz4Af6E53z-_Cf4sHERVCbmMSd4iNPkBkvopXUHH9Bdjv-KUpZMIPHZNhMskxgZ8T8nqQsoymXnKAnjjrsJPmk7_tMo/s1600-h/bodycast.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYnZz9C3noOqaeTMHtqS4q5Hr74Nka96k4GuHTCteYg_Zp0PKqz4Af6E53z-_Cf4sHERVCbmMSd4iNPkBkvopXUHH9Bdjv-KUpZMIPHZNhMskxgZ8T8nqQsoymXnKAnjjrsJPmk7_tMo/s400/bodycast.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432301318595975522" border="0" /></a>Veronica's Storyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14875024982111324935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530832806516664629.post-29113637814003161352010-01-29T05:41:00.000-08:002010-01-29T05:47:21.354-08:00Paradise Lost or Paradise Won?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyWINqDhyphenhyphen8pHODpFZXOEWI4vuE2ccbCyZS1sdieUxg6Cw5G0k_fxofDdx7ibESdk9NLHIBpeC1SSQaVoELlAwClqRxwlXXfCWXtsOyfRs66_NJYzfhkGFzEO5j-UgMO0eILmQ8ZHe3uDc/s1600-h/sunset.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyWINqDhyphenhyphen8pHODpFZXOEWI4vuE2ccbCyZS1sdieUxg6Cw5G0k_fxofDdx7ibESdk9NLHIBpeC1SSQaVoELlAwClqRxwlXXfCWXtsOyfRs66_NJYzfhkGFzEO5j-UgMO0eILmQ8ZHe3uDc/s400/sunset.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432157263104526818" border="0" /></a><br />Montrouis, Haiti January 28, 2010<br /><br />I must confess that the sunset over Haiti this evening was perhaps one of the most sumptuous and beautiful natural wonders that I have ever witnessed. One could easily be persuaded that this is paradise. The reality on the ground is starkly different. We continue to perform surgeries and offer continuing care to patients who have infected wounds from living in the tent camps. Even in a crisis, "bread and butter" surgical disease still presents. We have a woman with a suspicious breast lump who will require a biopsy and pathology analysis. We will perform the biopsy and transport it back to Bermuda for analysis. Another gentleman presented with seizures because he has not taken his medicine since the the earthquake. These patients need thoughtful and seem less continuity in their medical care. I observed a woman picking up grains of rice from the dirt around our clinic where our cook had opened a bag of rice. This was a sad and poignant reminder of how truly blessed we are. My sense is that most people go to bed a bit hungry and underfed. We are so used to eating until we are full and/or stuffed each day, often leaving uneaten food on our plates. Life is so different in this paradise that has loss so much to natural disaster, corruption, poverty, and indifference.<br />Christopher L. Johnson, MD, MSc, FACSVeronica's Storyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14875024982111324935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530832806516664629.post-32050245320328472052010-01-28T13:56:00.000-08:002010-01-28T13:59:43.506-08:00Armed UN Troops Patrol The Streets<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih0_3TUVi-VwdMGVH7rU39urzwmgW-_AFbonvAWvSMohhWq6G8bKItNnSLlyuv0UIbQPDQzPCQB3gPVIzCblAMjLgk7fhItNmuk32PMmhe4znRlD7PT9ZOlUMg17_Nrz31DOc872lXgIA/s1600-h/ArmedUnsoldiers.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 171px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih0_3TUVi-VwdMGVH7rU39urzwmgW-_AFbonvAWvSMohhWq6G8bKItNnSLlyuv0UIbQPDQzPCQB3gPVIzCblAMjLgk7fhItNmuk32PMmhe4znRlD7PT9ZOlUMg17_Nrz31DOc872lXgIA/s400/ArmedUnsoldiers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431913230443288258" border="0" /></a><br />Armed UN soldiers in traffic just outside of Port aux Prince. I had to take this surreptitiously.<br /><br />Christopher L. Johnson, MD, MSc, FACSVeronica's Storyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14875024982111324935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530832806516664629.post-38439468023233869512010-01-27T19:58:00.000-08:002010-01-29T16:11:40.558-08:00Was A Young Boy Shot By UN Soldier Today? (Unconfirmed Reports)* Unconfirmed Report*<br /><br />Our <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Medicin</span> Sans Frontiers chopper pilot friends tell us that an 8 year old Haitian boy was shot in the chest twice by a UN soldier today. His alleged crime was stealing food from a UN convoy. He was stable and flown to the DR for medical care. We have no way to confirm this story but we are aware that many UN soldiers are armed with live <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">ammunition</span>. I did pass a UN convoy coming from the north and they were heavily armed with pistols and machine guns. If this story is true, it is an inappropriate show of force. We have not experienced any threats to our volunteers, many of whom have roamed through Port aux Prince, including its tent cities, without security. Our field of view is limited however as we are on the periphery of the city. Many earthquake survivors do relate that they are underfed but I do not sense that they are riotous or on the brink of insurrection. We feel quite sage at the moment though we are <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">vigilant</span> in monitoring the situation. We will keep you informed if this situation should change.<br />Christopher L. Johnson, MD, MSc, FACSVeronica's Storyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14875024982111324935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530832806516664629.post-63725298794942822902010-01-27T16:12:00.000-08:002010-01-27T16:14:45.942-08:0022 Procedures TodayJanuary 27th, 2010. Bon Repos, Haiti<br /><br />22 procedures were performed today bringing our total number of surgeries to 70 procedures. I write to you from the from seat of a "Tap Tap" the traditional open air truck that the locals pack themselves in for transport. Our van went to the frontier to collect badly needed supplies that were routed via the Dominican Republic. Our work day was busy and the air in our makeshift operating rooms was thick with humidity and flies. So many of patients require daily debridements of deeply infected neglected wounds. One child, an 8 year old boy posed a particular challenge to us. He presented yesterday with fever and what appeared to be an infected compound fracture of the right foot. He was treated with drainage of the infection and intravenous antibiotics. This child came in again with high fever to 103. Tylenol, further wound drainage, alcohol bath, and IV fluids did not touch this child's high temperature. He appeared to have no symptoms: no cough, no headache, no abdominal, no neck stiffness, etc. Consultation with internist Dr James was undertaken and a diagnosis of acute malaria exacerbation was entertained. Please understand, we have no working lab upon which to confirm our diagnosis. We only have our hands, stethoscopes, thermometer, education, and our hearts. Fortunately after several hours the fever broke and we heaved a great sigh: realizing one the one hand the poverty of our abilities without our CT Scans, MRI's and other technologies and on the other hand the joy that something as simple as relieving the fever of a suffering child can bring in the midst of this tremblement de la terre (French for earthquake). We are so blessed to be here and we continue to do what we can.Veronica's Storyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14875024982111324935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530832806516664629.post-80147501400943052982010-01-27T15:34:00.000-08:002010-01-27T15:36:05.973-08:00Chopper Lands...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV-8kVt74m_JZd00JMa9qjTIyj-YMPmxGcaoBp7layPB3MGwzpdPfJ7Cw97nOQd4D-5Wl9OTBYWz3mAmgTWlXBhhZO6Fp-4xiCP8Njjcntu7L01s8O2YKmiZMkyI4Cf-UULQ8W2Jy5XVY/s1600-h/heli.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV-8kVt74m_JZd00JMa9qjTIyj-YMPmxGcaoBp7layPB3MGwzpdPfJ7Cw97nOQd4D-5Wl9OTBYWz3mAmgTWlXBhhZO6Fp-4xiCP8Njjcntu7L01s8O2YKmiZMkyI4Cf-UULQ8W2Jy5XVY/s400/heli.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431567394565549714" border="0" /></a><br />Helicopter parked on the lawn of our hotel. The pilots work with a French NGO and they ferry the sickest patients from Port aux Prince to the Dominican Republic.Veronica's Storyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14875024982111324935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530832806516664629.post-22112823185701322042010-01-27T15:33:00.001-08:002010-01-27T15:33:59.108-08:00Tent city near our clinic.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoQn0_Y7gMCFCtPJxI2Ihq7lwHlKn8IJc-73Vtc3nGdCZFB0DySJq_GwRETATFzt50RslArTyKJz12upBzYz8aNVQxxgKwKAxjHw503Rtgu5THcOSvWPDynyZPChZ7hfvmlzDtyOTlxiE/s1600-h/Tentcity2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoQn0_Y7gMCFCtPJxI2Ihq7lwHlKn8IJc-73Vtc3nGdCZFB0DySJq_GwRETATFzt50RslArTyKJz12upBzYz8aNVQxxgKwKAxjHw503Rtgu5THcOSvWPDynyZPChZ7hfvmlzDtyOTlxiE/s400/Tentcity2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431566973690294578" border="0" /></a>Veronica's Storyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14875024982111324935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530832806516664629.post-20161250262527128182010-01-27T05:43:00.001-08:002010-01-27T05:54:11.001-08:00So Many In Need of Care...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIY1DlMLGzvAJQvsqJLRdJ6EQWlOqcUIN5vXhSRgMJN8pYpbWhRVjuPC1RG409RS_NN1q8lwlxw4BFrZniAdsj8nRG3MgPRz84uzEsVPJBynb3uqvMXsYzJoMFzoKw6aCif1Aj7-LCPb0/s1600-h/drjworking.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIY1DlMLGzvAJQvsqJLRdJ6EQWlOqcUIN5vXhSRgMJN8pYpbWhRVjuPC1RG409RS_NN1q8lwlxw4BFrZniAdsj8nRG3MgPRz84uzEsVPJBynb3uqvMXsYzJoMFzoKw6aCif1Aj7-LCPb0/s400/drjworking.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431416920599155122" border="0" /></a><br />Dr. Johnson attending to a young patient with a broken arm.Veronica's Storyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14875024982111324935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530832806516664629.post-22997908403872475612010-01-27T05:43:00.000-08:002010-01-27T05:49:07.892-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe3yRlq1K9gwIKB0sN7ONThkoak3LoXhNEvROC37HS3QbnxRBnTaUPs8LCEPDqEZCLRpK8jC9_w_N386nmheDvXD6yvFKqTyXYgsysJvrTYRBqgE2JIZFNzRb-NEueq-aTDUjnBeXNbTA/s1600-h/roof+in.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe3yRlq1K9gwIKB0sN7ONThkoak3LoXhNEvROC37HS3QbnxRBnTaUPs8LCEPDqEZCLRpK8jC9_w_N386nmheDvXD6yvFKqTyXYgsysJvrTYRBqgE2JIZFNzRb-NEueq-aTDUjnBeXNbTA/s400/roof+in.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431415246155783282" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga3VrL7aePF7dc-Zw9HK2JI6ra47hLvG4Ai-7MNiPMieMx8ySKz11FhnmmmCaORjB2I5A6OEmRQPsqOU39iipX7UKI83CAwNd7ESANum4HGwfX4uchKtLf69ZynZ13KNm8O7qESl3zw2U/s1600-h/tentcity.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga3VrL7aePF7dc-Zw9HK2JI6ra47hLvG4Ai-7MNiPMieMx8ySKz11FhnmmmCaORjB2I5A6OEmRQPsqOU39iipX7UKI83CAwNd7ESANum4HGwfX4uchKtLf69ZynZ13KNm8O7qESl3zw2U/s400/tentcity.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431415955055833970" border="0" /></a><br />- Typical building in the neighborhood of our clinic.<br /><br />- A tent city in the vicinity of our clinic. Many of our patients are brought in from here.<br /><br />Christopher L. Johnson, MD, MSc, FACSVeronica's Storyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14875024982111324935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8530832806516664629.post-78606018417242410252010-01-27T05:34:00.001-08:002010-01-27T05:35:51.500-08:00Recovery Room is crowded. Two Patients To A Bed.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRH_dzPuw-lyFdCpHlDuh4H7pNJCvP270SXIV0ul1wt4-yYt_dmurPwfysM6x9-mQNrzdNO9Jsk5d3sTntblZggWaqJI45iSQbZaHlXvyNBLGD5e3GPwU0mzW4GkBsDcUb2vRMhVTh_5c/s1600-h/two2abed.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRH_dzPuw-lyFdCpHlDuh4H7pNJCvP270SXIV0ul1wt4-yYt_dmurPwfysM6x9-mQNrzdNO9Jsk5d3sTntblZggWaqJI45iSQbZaHlXvyNBLGD5e3GPwU0mzW4GkBsDcUb2vRMhVTh_5c/s400/two2abed.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431412645780055250" border="0" /></a><br />Christopher L. Johnson, MD, MSc, FACSVeronica's Storyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14875024982111324935noreply@blogger.com0