Day 1 (March 1)
Dr. Leonard Mason III, ISHI Volunteer. © Vishnu Hoff
Finally, Team ISHI arrived in Miami to begin our trek to Haiti. Our mission was placed on hold numerous times by Medishare (the organization coordinating our arrival from Miami to Haiti) due to scheduling conflicts and difficulties in securing seats on a chartered plane to Haiti. By the way, we found out during check-in that our flight was delayed three more hours, but after the multiple delays, who cares! I was skeptical and disheartened at first (my wife, Marissa, could see my disappointment after each time the trip was canceled). I think we will do a good job in Haiti helping the disaster victims because we have the very best intentions. The team members are very sociable and personable, so I think we will work well together. It may sound cliché, but I want to help the unfortunate people of Haiti in the best way that I can, through surgical management. Of course, It will be with the help of Dr. Bale.
—Dr. Leonard Mason III, ISHI Volunteer
Day 2 (March 2)
Dr. Asha Bale, ISHI Vice President. © Vishnu Hoff
We are at the tent hospital. It is extremely hot and humid. The conditions are difficult, but the more than one hundred volunteers are working great together and have a wonderful team spirit and attitude. There are volunteers from all over the world, all of whom are showing great enthusiasm!! This morning we all got our assignments—Dr. Mason and I decided to do triage, and helped to see over two hundred patients outside the compound gate. Yvette Jupiter, our scrub technician, scrubbed in for multiple surgeries—an exploratory laparotomy, an incarcerated hernia, and a ventriculoperitoneal shunt, to name a few. Nurse practitioner Cathy Blaskewicz and RN Emilia Wawszczyk did a great job seeing acute patients in the ER and triage areas. RNs Jhoselyn Catalina Riffo and Mona Nelson were assigned to medical surgery and are caring for patients with a range of problems—everything from post-surgical issues, to dehydration, to pelvic fractures. We are also still seeing lots of pediatric patients with injuries related to the earthquake. RN Diana Eagen is in the ICU and Dr. Regevik is working all over—from the ER to the inpatient areas. It broke my heart to see a baby this morning who was brought into the ER by her grandmother because both her parents had died in the earthquake. There are so many stories like that. But the Haitian people are strong; and they are resilient. We are looking forward to the rest of the week.
—Dr. Asha Bale, ISHI Vice President
Day 3 (March 3)
Dr. Leonard Mason III, ISHI Volunteer. © Vishnu Hoff
Our day started at 7:30 a.m. with an overall general orientation. We found out our assignments for the day and how the tent city functioned on a daily basis. Our base is separated into different wards—medical-surgical, ICUs, pediatrics, ORs, eating area, and supply room. It’s amazing how the tent city functions as a regular hospital but without all the amenities. I began the workday helping to triage over two hundred patients, then transitioned over to performing a gastric ulcer repair with Dr. Bale. In between cases and seeing patients, I made a couple of friends, especially a Haitian medical student named Nick who was helping out with the translations. He said that he was grateful for us helping the people and that he wanted to help serve his people in the same way after graduating. I have to say that I am feeling a plethora of mixed emotions, from ecstatic to melancholy. I know we’re doing a good job, but what happens to the people we treated months from now? What will happen to Haiti years from now? I have had enough contemplating for the night. I will try to get some sleep on my little old cot.
—Dr. Leonard Mason III, ISHI Volunteer
Day 4 (March 4)
Mona Nelson, RN, ISHI Volunteer. Photo: Leonard Mason III
Today was an interesting day in the ICU. I was kind of surprised by how things run. Even though it is tough since we have limited resources, we still manage the patients. I think OSHA would’ve been proud! We had to clean and reuse the equipment, which in the US we would have discarded in the garbage. What makes me feel so good is that the family and patients are so grateful. I was moved by the stories that the patients told me—how they said they had given up on their loved ones, but then the care that they received at this hospital revived them. This place has some exceptional nurses, and I was so fortunate to have worked with them. Every place you go, you are going to meet people with different types of skills and personalities. There are many kinds: I worked with a Super Nurse, the kind that you would want to take care of you if you were a patient; the one that doesn’t take a break, and goes beyond her duties to make the patients comfortable; the kind that is so resourceful that she can work anywhere with limited supplies.
—Mona Nelson, RN, ISHI Volunteer
Jhoselyn Thomas, RN, ISHI Volunteer. Photo: Leonard Mason III
It is Thursday morning. Last night the lights were turned off at 10 p.m. It was an incredible day. Each day I am more and more amazed at the resilience of the wonderful people of Haiti. The culture is such a happy culture; they sing and pray and dance even though they have nothing, even though they have pain and have lost their family, friends, and independence. I learned some Creole yesterday. Everyone is willing to teach you their language. Everyone shares even though they don’t have much. Every day there are two men that come around with a guitar and keyboard in hand and sing to the patients and the staff. It is very therapeutic and I think it helps them get through each day. I met a social worker yesterday who is staying with a family member in the medical-surgical tent. She os originally from Boston, but is staying with her aunt who lost everyone. She has been the advocate for all in need—she translates, finds them clothes, and keeps the patients informed of their needs. She’s not part of the Medishare group, but she helps us anyway. Everyone on our team here is fine, no one is sick, thank God. I’ve been spending my days between the ER and the medical-surgical tent. My name here is Joseliene. If you were to compare what we are doing here, it is something like the TV show MASH. Our training back in Newark has definitely prepared us for almost anything that comes through the door or should I say the Gates. I wish I could come back soon, but I definitely miss my family, my daughter and my hubbie.
—Jhoselyn Thomas, RN, ISHI Volunteer
Day 5 (March 5)
Cathy Blaskewicz, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, ISHI Volunteer. Photo: Leonard Mason III
It’s day five in Haiti. After a full day of work in our assigned areas, a few of us took a car to tour the city of Port-au-Prince. The devastation is extreme in some areas and not bad in others. It seems the worst collapses and greatest losses of life were in the biggest buildings. We saw multiple schools, churches, and office buildings that were practically leveled. We passed buildings where several hundred people died, yet the house next door had little damage. People are living in tents on the streets everywhere, with maybe six inches between the tents. Some tents are no more than bed sheets. Laundry is hanging along the wreckage that was once important government buildings. The amazing thing is that the Haitian people seem to be going on with life as usual. We passed a tent camp where people were gathered around and cooking and laughing. The kids were playing while moms cleaned their tents and watched after the kids. Patients come to hospital clean and groomed after sleeping in a tent in the rain. I feel sorry that today is the last day. I think the ISHI team feels like there is still a lot we can do here.
—Cathy Blaskewicz, RN, ISHI Volunteer
Dr. Nina Regevik, ISHI Volunteer. Photo: Leonard Mason III
I’ve been seeing patients in one capacity or another since my sophomore year in college, almost thirty-five years ago and I have never encountered a people so strong, so resilient, and so dignified. To see family and loved ones never leave the hospital, to care for their injured, to tirelessly clean, feed, and comfort them, to willingly learn complex nursing procedures that will allow them to take them home, whatever that is, is one of the most uplifting and humbling experiences of my life.
—Dr. Nina Regevik, ISHI Volunteer
Emilia Wawszczyk, RN, ISHI Volunteer. Photo: Leonard Mason III
Another memorable day it Haiti. Our day started off with breakfast at the UN. Finally no MRE’s (military ready to eat meals—no offense to US Government). We were just happy to get more than two grams of fiber in our meal. Just as a side note, the UN has a huge base in Haiti with representation of many countries in the world. Thanks to Jhoselyn’s people skills (they do come in handy after all), two officers agreed to take us around Port-au-Prince. The destruction that we have seen is unlike anything imaginable—buildings crumbled, people living on the streets, tent cities with some tents made out of blankets and sheets, with no sewage system, no clean water. Most children are not going to school at this time because many of the schools were destroyed. Life is not back to normal. Many of the old buildings, buildings still made out of wood, were there standing among all the rubble. We drove by the US Embassy, and the building was untouched by the earthquake. We worked our evening shift in the ED that evening, our last day here. It is incredible to me how so many professionals, from all over the country and some from other countries, can come together and work as a team for a common good. Most of us have already decided to return. P.S. Thank you Ortho Docs for teaching us your secret handshake. It will be in our memories forever.
— Emilia Wawszczyk, RN, ISHI Volunteer
Day 6 (March 6)
Emilia Wawszczyk, RN, ISHI Volunteer. Photo: Leonard Mason III
We are sitting at the Airport Internacional in Port au Prince, waiting for the new team to arrive from Miami. This morning was an emotional one for all of us. There were tears shed, and a piece of us is staying in Port-au-Prince as we said our final goodbyes to team members, patients, families, translators, transport, security, and all who have made this journey possible for us. We have added to our pool of life experiences something that has made us all a bit stronger, a bit more in touch with humanity, and respectful of mother Earth. The destruction that we witnessed in Haiti, and the number of lives that it touched and continues to touch every day, has made us realize that this world is not a force to be reckoned with. It is fragile, and it is unpredictable, but the people in it are strong and resilient. Many of us ask ourselves, “What’s next? What will happen now? When people stop coming here to help, when the news of this tragedy quiets down, when no one will donate to charitable causes, what then? Will the people of Haiti be OK?” What we did was so small in comparison to how much work is needed here. It became apparent to me that from birth on, the people in impoverished countries really don’t stand a chance—with malnutrition and lack of education, to lack of jobs, and government corruption. But as people continue to come and spread the word of how much help is needed here, maybe Haiti will not be forgotten. I hope that all of you who read this and the rest of our blogs will some day, maybe soon, decide to come here because it is so worth it. It makes you so grateful for your health, for your family, for the food that you put on your table, for the roof over your head, and for people around you who support you and love you no matter what.
— Emilia Wawszczyk, RN, ISHI Volunteer
Day 7 (March 7)
Diana Eagen, RN, ISHI Volunteer. Photo: Leonard Mason III
It feels good to be back home with hot running water and a shower, a soft mattress, clean sheets, heating and air conditioning, cold drinks—all the amenities that make life comfortable. Things that the people of Haiti don’t have. It makes you feel guilty and thankful at the same time because you do have them. Wishing you could share more than just your time. The people of Haiti are wonderful, loving, friendly, and especially grateful. They have a long recouperation period ahead, but they are resilient, always smiling, and ever thankful. This trip has really stirred my emotions, more than I ever thought possible. I am so proud to have gone on this mission and worked with such a great group of people.
—Diana Eagen, RN, ISHI Volunteer
Ziad Sifri says:
March 3, 2010 at 5:46 pm
HI Guys
I’m so glad that you all made it to Haiti despite all the obstacles, delays, and uncertainties. The Haitian people will appreciate everything you will do for them. They have been through so much, it is hard for them to show their gratitude sometimes. Its is great that there is work for everyone. Pace yourself as this will be very demanding at many levels but remember at the end it will be all worthwhile. Wishing all the volunteers in Haiti all the best for safe journey. Thanks for you updates, our thoughts are with you.
ZS
Emma Mensah says:
March 3, 2010 at 11:29 pm
Thanks for updating us, we were anxiously awaiting any updates. I am glad the team sounds like a well oiled machine. Keep up the great work.
Natalia McTighe says:
March 4, 2010 at 8:55 am
Keep up the good work!!!! Wishing I was there to help also !!! God bless you all come home safe, keep us updated…
Nat
Ziad Sifri says:
March 5, 2010 at 10:35 pm
HI
I cannot believe the mission is on its last day alrerady. It sounds like everone is doing great and helping a lot of people.We are looking forward to hearing all the stories when you all come back. Have a great last day and a safe return home. Z
Linda says:
March 6, 2010 at 7:05 am
Your updates from the field are enlightening! They provide a vivid image
of the work environment and the generosity of the human spirit! Thanks to you all,
for giving of yourselves to those in need and to the fans too!