Hi,
Haven't written in a few days.
Thursday and Friday were regular work days down here. Haitians don't celebrate Thanksgiving; pretty American I suppose.But then again maybe they don't have a lot to be thankful for these days-I am not sure.
After work on Thursday came home ( about 100 yards or so), had a nice little nap, and the group here cooked up a very nice dinner with turkey, mashed potaoes, stuffing, carrots, cranberries(canned).It was great.For a photo of this event check out Father Marc's blog at pwojeespwa.blogspot.com
So far the South is still fairly quiet on cholera except for the prison system.
Keepin'my fingers & toes crossed.
About naps: this trip more so than in te past "the Dogs" seem to have nightly howling conventions. Kind of like "American idol for dogs"
Anyway I usually take a little one hour nap after clinic most days.
Saturday and Sunday no official scheduled clinic so I am kind of on call but they have a backup in town just in case I have a grreat nap and don't respond to their calls.
I understand that Alaska is having its snow days recently. We haven't had any but we did have a "rain day" last week-same idea
See u later....nase
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Friday, November 26, 2010
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Pretty, HUH ???
Does anyone know the English name of this shrub, bush,or tree. First correct answer earns 3 cents payable after I return to Alaska...happy Turkey day....j.nase
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Happy day before Thanksgiving
OK everyone, the following story is not a scam like the " Crying in Spain" e-mail from last month.
The photo below is of myself and Laney-a Creole/English translator who helps me a lot in the clinic here. Without his help I wouldn't be able to do much here in Haiti. We also worked together in Feb/March when I was here after the earthquake. A medical translator is a little different from a gen'l Creole translator.
Anyway. Laney is mainly a farmer and Haiti has not been good to farmers lately.
Hurricane Tomas kind of wrecked the crops he had in so- No Harvest!!!
Situation is that Laney has 4 kids (primary school and secondary school).It costs about $200.00 a year here to send a kid to school (tuition,books, & uniforms). and Laney asked me for help and if I knew any benefactors in the states who might be able to help him. I told him I would check out the situ...
First of all an xtra year of schooling here for any kid helps out Haiti in a big way. Second of all we need to be thankful during this season. I realize economic times are tough for everyone so I throw out this challenge to all my friends & foes.
If anyone chooses to donate to the "Laney Fund" I will match their donation dollar for dollar. So a $10.00 donation becomes a $ 20.00 donation and so on...
I realize that I do this from time to time (try to guilt you into giving) but when I think of the difference between life in the U.S. and Haiti it is worth it if you say..."oh, there he goes again"...
Let me know what you decide and contact me here inthe comments section of the blog or jot a quick note to me at jerrynase@hotmail.com
Thank you for reading this and have a good and thankful Thanksgiving
Be well....jerry
P.S. I would like to wrap this up in the next several weeks or so. Stay in touch!!!
The photo below is of myself and Laney-a Creole/English translator who helps me a lot in the clinic here. Without his help I wouldn't be able to do much here in Haiti. We also worked together in Feb/March when I was here after the earthquake. A medical translator is a little different from a gen'l Creole translator.
Anyway. Laney is mainly a farmer and Haiti has not been good to farmers lately.
Hurricane Tomas kind of wrecked the crops he had in so- No Harvest!!!
Situation is that Laney has 4 kids (primary school and secondary school).It costs about $200.00 a year here to send a kid to school (tuition,books, & uniforms). and Laney asked me for help and if I knew any benefactors in the states who might be able to help him. I told him I would check out the situ...
First of all an xtra year of schooling here for any kid helps out Haiti in a big way. Second of all we need to be thankful during this season. I realize economic times are tough for everyone so I throw out this challenge to all my friends & foes.
If anyone chooses to donate to the "Laney Fund" I will match their donation dollar for dollar. So a $10.00 donation becomes a $ 20.00 donation and so on...
I realize that I do this from time to time (try to guilt you into giving) but when I think of the difference between life in the U.S. and Haiti it is worth it if you say..."oh, there he goes again"...
Let me know what you decide and contact me here inthe comments section of the blog or jot a quick note to me at jerrynase@hotmail.com
Thank you for reading this and have a good and thankful Thanksgiving
Be well....jerry
P.S. I would like to wrap this up in the next several weeks or so. Stay in touch!!!
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Tuesday's Thoughts
Well yesterday started out pretty routine with a moderately busy day at the clinic. Even got in a 30 minute nap in the afternoon.
Then Father Marc, Paige, Frank and I took a ride into town with a stop at that lab for some blood tubes..
Went to the Les Cayes Prison to see a "friend" who has had yellow eyes and orange pee for a month. Also abdominal pain, poor appetite and all the other things that are consistent with some form of hepatitis. That place was a eyeball opener for sure!!!!
Way too many men crammed into way too small of a cell with a "honey bucket" for a toilet. Now you really don't want a cell mate with hepatitis in this situ.
Proceeded to examine him out in the parking lot and drew some blood for lab studies.
Yes I used universal precautions- this visit was planned
Anyway the prison has had 9 cases of cholera so far- another unpleasant disease to be incarcerated with...
I on the other hand had a bowl of the best chicken soup I have ever eaten after we returned from the prison....All's well that ends well..love...nase
Then Father Marc, Paige, Frank and I took a ride into town with a stop at that lab for some blood tubes..
Went to the Les Cayes Prison to see a "friend" who has had yellow eyes and orange pee for a month. Also abdominal pain, poor appetite and all the other things that are consistent with some form of hepatitis. That place was a eyeball opener for sure!!!!
Way too many men crammed into way too small of a cell with a "honey bucket" for a toilet. Now you really don't want a cell mate with hepatitis in this situ.
Proceeded to examine him out in the parking lot and drew some blood for lab studies.
Yes I used universal precautions- this visit was planned
Anyway the prison has had 9 cases of cholera so far- another unpleasant disease to be incarcerated with...
I on the other hand had a bowl of the best chicken soup I have ever eaten after we returned from the prison....All's well that ends well..love...nase
Monday, November 22, 2010
Internet Info
Haiti has many interesting things and one is the internet.
Sometimes very hard to hook on but they have something called fair access between 0200 and 0600 daily. Everyone gets an equal shot at getting on ans so I was able to add these photos the past 2 days at 0500 or so.
It is Monday AM at 0530
Someone in the area got a new set of drums and insisted on playing them late into the night last night. Not on this property but close enough to be heard loud & clear here.
The weekend was pretty slow around here for me. Just a few visits from the boys. Clinic is not really open to the community on weekends.
We'll see what week # 2 has in store. Have a good thanksgiving and some good thoughts for the folks in Haiti- THEY COULD USE A GOOD THOUGHT OR TWO!!!!!!!!!
Sometimes very hard to hook on but they have something called fair access between 0200 and 0600 daily. Everyone gets an equal shot at getting on ans so I was able to add these photos the past 2 days at 0500 or so.
It is Monday AM at 0530
Someone in the area got a new set of drums and insisted on playing them late into the night last night. Not on this property but close enough to be heard loud & clear here.
The weekend was pretty slow around here for me. Just a few visits from the boys. Clinic is not really open to the community on weekends.
We'll see what week # 2 has in store. Have a good thanksgiving and some good thoughts for the folks in Haiti- THEY COULD USE A GOOD THOUGHT OR TWO!!!!!!!!!
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Friday, November 19, 2010
Friday Night in Haiti
Well it is the end of my first week here in Haiti at ESPWA.
Fairly routine work week, so far. we didn't get hit with as much diarrhea as I originally thought we would.So far it seems as tho the Southern district where I am has been somewhat spared from this scourge. lots of a viral syndrome illness going through getting more adults than children.
I really think there are more older adults down here that seem more depressed than in past visits. Could be a culmination of earthquakes , tornadoes and general bad crap happening that is resulting in some PTSD symptoms. also could be due to the fact that I am seeing more adults than I usually do.
Several visitors through here lately that are big donors to this project as far as food goes. We are NICE to them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tomorrow is Saturday and International Day of the child, so they are going to have a little party for the kids after some speeches and the treat is corn-based ice cream (Ben & Jerry's- I think not).
Anyway as usual we are running out of some important medicines that are used regularly. I write a prescrition for the patient to buy it in town but who knows if they ever fill the prescription ( no cash)
Will check in later and give you feedback on the ice cream....jery
Fairly routine work week, so far. we didn't get hit with as much diarrhea as I originally thought we would.So far it seems as tho the Southern district where I am has been somewhat spared from this scourge. lots of a viral syndrome illness going through getting more adults than children.
I really think there are more older adults down here that seem more depressed than in past visits. Could be a culmination of earthquakes , tornadoes and general bad crap happening that is resulting in some PTSD symptoms. also could be due to the fact that I am seeing more adults than I usually do.
Several visitors through here lately that are big donors to this project as far as food goes. We are NICE to them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tomorrow is Saturday and International Day of the child, so they are going to have a little party for the kids after some speeches and the treat is corn-based ice cream (Ben & Jerry's- I think not).
Anyway as usual we are running out of some important medicines that are used regularly. I write a prescrition for the patient to buy it in town but who knows if they ever fill the prescription ( no cash)
Will check in later and give you feedback on the ice cream....jery
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
No pictures for now
I have tried sending pics about 3 times now and they take too long to upload & publish. will have to figure something else later or do a shutterfly deal when i return home.
Today I did clinic by myself i.e. no internist around to see adults and you all know how much I enjoy seeing adults???
Seems like the entire adult southern department of Haiti had epigastric pain, headaches, muscle aches etc today. Why I do pediatrics all comes flooding back to me on these days.Apparently the internist is off every Wednesday.
Diarrhea( ? cholera ) has slowed down for today but still going strong in other parts of Haiti!!!!
You know , I just have to say this. I think the female population of Haiti are some off the strongest women I have ever seen. This year alone an earthquake, hurricanes and now cholera ( lots of BAD stuff) and they just keep on doing what they have to do to get along. Not much drama and not much depression that I have seen. Heck some days this place depresses the heck out of me and I just got here 3 days ago.
our clinic is seeing a lot more folks from the surrounding communities these days rather than just the "orphans" from Espwa and I get to know the people "a little better". Good for me, not sure about good for them or not
I am seing more about what big NGOs (non governmental organizations) do and how little aid really reaches the people who are supposed to get it (lots of skimming before your $20.00 donation reaches the folks here)
Anyway time to make the donuts...Later...jerry
Today I did clinic by myself i.e. no internist around to see adults and you all know how much I enjoy seeing adults???
Seems like the entire adult southern department of Haiti had epigastric pain, headaches, muscle aches etc today. Why I do pediatrics all comes flooding back to me on these days.Apparently the internist is off every Wednesday.
Diarrhea( ? cholera ) has slowed down for today but still going strong in other parts of Haiti!!!!
You know , I just have to say this. I think the female population of Haiti are some off the strongest women I have ever seen. This year alone an earthquake, hurricanes and now cholera ( lots of BAD stuff) and they just keep on doing what they have to do to get along. Not much drama and not much depression that I have seen. Heck some days this place depresses the heck out of me and I just got here 3 days ago.
our clinic is seeing a lot more folks from the surrounding communities these days rather than just the "orphans" from Espwa and I get to know the people "a little better". Good for me, not sure about good for them or not
I am seing more about what big NGOs (non governmental organizations) do and how little aid really reaches the people who are supposed to get it (lots of skimming before your $20.00 donation reaches the folks here)
Anyway time to make the donuts...Later...jerry
Hppy Wednesday AM
The internet here ,I believe , has cholera....very, very sick!!!!
Anyway Monday am clinic was busy. My 2nd patient was a lttle boy from the orphanage with probable mumps. He came in with a sock wrapped around his cheeks just like the old pictures. his photo wil not upload so I'l try later
Also Monday was SPA DAY here. A group of ladies from Minnesota who visited had the housemoms over from the orphanage. They did massage, manicures and pedicures for the Haitian women who loved every minute of it. They had chocolates and all that stuff that the ladies like. NO, I dd not have my toenails done. I don't imagine that many of these ladies pamper themselves very often on 1-2 dollars a day. LOts of smiles from both groups.
I am having problems uploading photos currently(internet?)- so will try that later
Be well..jerry
Anyway Monday am clinic was busy. My 2nd patient was a lttle boy from the orphanage with probable mumps. He came in with a sock wrapped around his cheeks just like the old pictures. his photo wil not upload so I'l try later
Also Monday was SPA DAY here. A group of ladies from Minnesota who visited had the housemoms over from the orphanage. They did massage, manicures and pedicures for the Haitian women who loved every minute of it. They had chocolates and all that stuff that the ladies like. NO, I dd not have my toenails done. I don't imagine that many of these ladies pamper themselves very often on 1-2 dollars a day. LOts of smiles from both groups.
I am having problems uploading photos currently(internet?)- so will try that later
Be well..jerry
Monday, November 15, 2010
A question for my doc friends-if any read this
Back in haiti and as most of you know they are going thru a cholera epidemic in parts of Haiti. Just learned that there have been 4 documented cases in Cayes , Haiti (A FAMILY)Where I am working
SO 1/2 OF THE KIDS i SAW THIS am had vomiting and diarrhea with no significant dehydration. Will treat all with ORS. My question ( no lab help here) is would you put them all on 3 days of Septra as treatment for cholera or not. I have a leaning towards treating them all since most homes and the orphanage are pretty crowded and once it takes hold it could go crazy. Really anyone who has any thoughts on this please call in and let me know them ( just kidding about the call in)
Things haven't changed much here since Feb/ Mar except many more blue roofed tents in Port au Prince than before. Clean-up sucks !!!!!.
The kids are just as beautiful as b4( pictures to follow)
The staff here is holding together so far but I think we will all be up to our elbows in feces in the next 10 days or so. have some good thoughts for these folks and I promise I will wash my hands...be well..dr. j
The program is growing like crazy- new clinic,dining hal going up andsome houses for young girls almost finished, see u later
SO 1/2 OF THE KIDS i SAW THIS am had vomiting and diarrhea with no significant dehydration. Will treat all with ORS. My question ( no lab help here) is would you put them all on 3 days of Septra as treatment for cholera or not. I have a leaning towards treating them all since most homes and the orphanage are pretty crowded and once it takes hold it could go crazy. Really anyone who has any thoughts on this please call in and let me know them ( just kidding about the call in)
Things haven't changed much here since Feb/ Mar except many more blue roofed tents in Port au Prince than before. Clean-up sucks !!!!!.
The kids are just as beautiful as b4( pictures to follow)
The staff here is holding together so far but I think we will all be up to our elbows in feces in the next 10 days or so. have some good thoughts for these folks and I promise I will wash my hands...be well..dr. j
The program is growing like crazy- new clinic,dining hal going up andsome houses for young girls almost finished, see u later
Made it to Haiti
Hi eveyone. quick notet lot you all know I made it to haiti lat PM after about the typical 20 hour flight from Alaska.
A translater just arrived so I will go to clinic and type later toda,,,bye...jerry
A translater just arrived so I will go to clinic and type later toda,,,bye...jerry
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