Today we had a young gentleman carried into the clinic by some strangers and his cousin. The man whose name is Antoine was getting to a bus when a piece of luggage on top of the bus fell and hit him at the back of his neck. Antoine was unable to move his arms or legs but he could feel us touching him. He made a make-shift backboard using a wooden place and a C-collar by taping his head to the plank. We transported the patient to the University of Miami hospital only to find out that they had no x-ray machine when we arrived there. We got back in the car and drove for another 15 min to the General Hospital on very bumpy roads. The General Hospital had an x-ray machine but it could not used because there was water all over the floor in that building.
It has been just one thing after another this week. So as I was telling Antoine that we were leaving he looked at me and said "are you guys leaving me? Thank you for all you have done and please tell all the other people here that came thank you.....Pray for me and I will pray for you." As I was in the process of translating this to the other members of the team I broke down and started crying. I explained everything that was going on to his family and said good-bye to him one last time. I gave them my number and told them that we would be back to visit him on Saturday when we were in PAP.
The General Hospital where we left him, has no neurosurgeon on board and no neurologist. The American resident at the hospital told us that all they could do for this patient was give him steriods, a C- collar and time. So he has to wait, it just seems unfair.
Well things look the same in PAP. The government has not done one thing. Tent cities are all over the place. Not one piece of rubble has been cleared out, not even at the national palace.
I also will not be able to post any pictures because my camera has disappeared since Tuesday. I will ask other team members to post pictures to share with me and I will post them up at a later date.
Hang in there, sister. Our hearts are with you. You can sleep when you get home.
ReplyDeleteI am so thankful that I have Monday off or else I would be suffering at work. Today was a hard day. We went to see Antoine the guy with the neck injury and it turns out he is now a quadriplegic. His faith in God is so amazing that it broke my heart. Of course I had another break down right in front of him. He asked me again not to cry for him and keep faith. The group prayed for him. All the translators that went into the hospital with us start crying as well after meeting him. He is such a sweet man and it unfortunate that this has happened to him.
ReplyDeleteOn better news that little 3 pound baby is doing better. He is sucking and eating a little better. He will still need feedings through his NG tube but baby is looking a little healthier. I wish I could take him with me but his mom would miss him dearly.
I fly back to KC tomorrow and I of course am not ready to leave. This trip I must admit was a little rough for me emotionally than the trip in January. I think it is because I made a little bit more personal connections. I am sure I will have my break down moments for the next couple of weeks but I can't wait to get back in November.