A Return...

Well, in one week the first team will be gathering in Miami for the fourth trip to Haiti. In two weeks, our second team will be hot on our heals to make the fifth trip!

NAVMC has put together two teams of medical professionals to go to Haiti for two back to back weeks.

A lot has changed since the last time we were there in May. Project Medishare is no longer a large MASH like hospital at the airport. They have moved into the Bernard Mevs hospital a few miles away from the airport.

So this will be like a whole new experience.

Stay tuned!

Fall Trips Planned!

This blog has been a bit inactive for awhile, but it is about to start hopping again!

Northern Arizona Volunteer Medical Corp (NAVMC) has just committed to sending two teams back to Haiti, to volunteer with Project Medishare. These two teams will go on back-to-back weeks!

Trip One: 10/30 to 11/6
Trip Two: 11/6 to 11/13

Any one interested in joining us, please visit our website at www.navmc.org or email us at info@navmc.org

Those that are following this blog, please keep the members of NAVMC in your thoughts as we prepare to return!

By the way, NAVMC now has members from across the US, and we even have our first Official International Member, from Canada!

October or November Trip?

Anyone interested in going or returning to Haiti in October or November... the exact dates are still to be determined... please contact Bull, Kelly, or Ray!

You can also email NAVMC to express your interest at:

info@navmc.org

Visit our website for more information as it becomes available!

www.navmc.org

This Friday!

This Friday, May 14th, NAVMC is hosting a spectacular event at the Orpheum Theater in downtown Flagstaff!

A benefit show, featuring a raffle, silent auction and Live entertainment!

Doors open at 6:00pm, the shows start at 6:30pm!

Go to our website:

www.navmc.org

for more info!

Photo updates from our May Team!!

Thusday May 6, 2010

Things are challenging, as usual, it just seems that living conditions are more so this time. We had our second big rainstorm last night which flooded portions of the adult tent (which still is housing adults, peds and PICU, adult ICU moved back into their spot) and of course the sleeping tent...ankle deep in the sleeping tent, but all seemed to fair pretty well. OR was back up and running last night and today. It is the second day/night with no AC, sweat city, very hot. My solution again to be able to sleep is to shower clothed, and go to sleep soaking wet and actually slept quite comfortably.The heat is still not my friend, but I am coming to terms with it, and seem to be doing and feeling better this time around. Hard to believe only two more nights. .I am again this time, as I was last time, not really wanting to leave. I have had the same patients every night and have fallen in love....with some of them. One little old man in particular. He speaks Spanish so we are able to have some good conversations.....or so I think:). I promised myself I wouldn't bring home any Haitians babies but I forgot to promise myself no little old men:) He does not have any family and he does not have a home. and it breaks my heart... I have been charge for the last two nights, because our original charge nurse crashed big time with dehydration, passing out several times, being unresponsive, very scary, She eventually did OK, but had back pain and bloody urine (kidney??) and left today to return home. Scary.Apprently she hadn't peed since the fire (two nights prior!!) ...stay hydrated, replenish electrolytes on a regular basis... is the mantra.
Lots of love to all

Connie

First Blog from May Team!

We arrived late in Haiti...around 9 pm and we had figured out who was working the night shift while we waited at the airport in Miami. I won! Actually it made sense for me to work it.
The first night went pretty well, Some of the translators remembered me and gave me big hugs...yeah, pretty wonderful feeling worked in the adult tent and we all got a row of patients. Our charge nurse had been there for a few days and did a great job of orienting everyone and helping. . Things are the same but different. A little more attempt at organization, but the execution still is tough and you have to be realistic in what you are able to accomplish. I ONLY had 15 patients this time!
Sleeping the next day was a challenge...a very HOT day even with AC in the tent and actually getting a bed in the day sleeper section. I woke up at one point and felt like my skin was burning. Quickly remedied that with a shower in my clothes and went back to sleep. The second night really started out nicely everyone with their same patients and feeling very comfortable we actually thought we would haveea smooth night. Boy were we wrong. First the pediatric tent had an electrical fire around midnight? and we evacuated the whole tent outside amidst billowing smoke. Then just after we moved all the ICU patients into the wound area of the adult tent the adult tent also had an electrical fire and we hauled cots w/patient s outside as well. This sounds much more controlled and orderly than it actually was...people were going out the sides of tent into the mud (it had rained earlier that day...torrential downpour). Eventually all patients and family and staff out, shut the power got all sleeping volunteers up to help out and we settled outside. We were outside for several hours. The adult tent was put back together (floor even got washed!!!!) and we ALL moved back in peds, and adults...yep, interesting but we all fit, plus, of course, families. I have respect for the Haitians, such troopers, I can't even begin to explain....It was not as smooth by any stretch as it sounds but it went well. The army helped move all the patients back in.
All are still in the adult tent but making progress with the return to normalcy...whatever that is.
Today no AC in the sleeping tent so most of the day sleepers moved to peds tent (still no patients in it) to sleep because it did have AC and there are a few staff members dropping like flies, getting IVS etc.
A small group of us did manage to go into PAP yesterday. We rented a tap-tap. We visited a tent city...again humbling. I don't think I could live in those conditions and be as gracious and smiling as the people we met and shared a little bit of time with.
Today I visited New Life Childrens orphanage. It is a beautiful place and I will share more thoughts on it later.
My heart is full content and happy to be here again. Not that it isn't difficult and sad and challenging but..... it feels so right.
Lots of love to everyone

Connie

Saturday, May 1, 2010

I spoke with Dr. Reber last night. They made it to Miami and were ready to depart this morning for Haiti! This team will also try to post to the blog to keep us informed of their adventures! Wish them luck and keep them in your thoughts.

Ray

Wanted: Joe Martin... International Criminal...

Getting through US Customs in Miami was a breeze for most of us...

Apparently, Dr. Joe had quite a different experience, as his name appeared on the Department of Homeland Security's "watch list!"

Two and a half hours later... he rejoined the United States... We'll let him tell the story though...

Back From Haiti

It was quite a week of sweat, hard work, adventure, sweat, camaraderie, sweat, innovation and medicine. I said in my first blog how I was interested in learning and practicing medicine that was low technology and back to the basics. Well, I got my wish in spades.

My first day I had 20 minutes of training and then I was on my own. There were approximately 110 patients in the hospital and in the general medicine tent I was suddenly responsible for about 25 of them. I quickly figured out that if I wanted to do something that is usually a quick job in the US -such as grabbing a glucometer to check a diabetics blood sugar that it was not so easy. Typically the equipment needed was not available or no one knew where it was in the mass of people and chaos. I had to just figure it out. Innovation, intuition and basic training was the key to treating the patients.

A person with swollen legs, crackly lungs, an altered level of consciousness, labored breathing would be diagnosed as probable congestive heart failure and treated as such. We did not have an X-ray, or EKG for diagnosis and for 2 days we did not have a lab for blood analysis. If the treatment was effective then we continued it. If a patient needed to be propped up in a sitting position we made a wedge under the mattress with cardboard and tape.

Another thing that really struck me was the important need for people with all types of skills. We could not have done it without the PT's who got people moving again, and the pharmacists who sorted the mountains of donated medications and knew what to substitute when an ordered med was unavailable. The Lab people were back to microscopes and pipetting with reagents, no million dollar blood analysis devices.

We really needed non-medical staff who found or organized equipment, fixed broken cots, found donated coffee makers (important) and more.

The patients were physically tough, enduring major injuries without complaint and minimal care or pain medications. We did what we could and it was worthwhile week of hard work, sweat, giving, sweat, new friendships, sweat and helping the Haitian people recover.

Bob Parker, RN

Haiti in my rearview mirror

Early in the week the time stretched out towards alot of effort and hot tired times. I wrote in my journal about staying here mentally and being present where I was, which was a tad unattractive on the surface. Tonight I am celebrating my time here,and what I have seen and learned. It's like no meditative lesson you've ever seen on the menu. Haiti is full of love while mindful of its pain and more receptive to an embrace than the evening news may suggest. The people are us. The plane ride out will be as full of remembrance and sentiment as the plane ride in had made me flinch a bit. Cheers to Haiti, strong culture, strong people, place to come and think and do..

Dr. Joe, Ortho

Flaggite by way of San Diego, or: fun fact: hatians clean themselves as well as you do in your shower with a bucket and 1/100 of the water you use.

Iv'e seen things in my life that have given me pause before, but rarely so much in on particular place. Haiti is such a wonderful, colorful place, with so many happy people, despite the many factors stacked against it. In truth, I've never had a patient population so grateful for the care they were given. I've never had patients thank me so much, or ones that have touched my heart to this degree. The families of my patients were unlike almost any of those I've had in the states, feeding, bathing, clothing my patients (linens and baths were done by families.) Though many times we had no supplies (try going a day with only three pairs of gloves for three patients, no running water, the constant threat of losing power, eqipment that breaks when it's absolutely critcial, running out of a essential meds, no lab, no x-ray, no ct or MRI, no 12 lead, etc) and fought terribly oppresive heat, dehydration and humidty, somehow I managed to give the best care of my life (I gave a patient a foot rub and she told me that no one had ever touched her feet before!!!).
Somehow over the course of the week I found myself in the PICU, the NICU, and Peds every second I had to spare. The real future of Haiti, the children, absolutely broke my heart. We face death and code situations every day in the hospital at home, but it's a rareity to lose a child. Though we lost people in the ICU, the picu deaths in partiuclar and there were....a lot, were very very hard. For me, the PICU was just the start of a thousand first for me. I had never seen a dead child before this trip. I had never been there for the death of a child before this trip. In two years of working at a major city trauma ICU, I had never lost a patient of MINE to anunexpected code. Bluntly put, those parts, they sucked, and I won't soon forget them. For every one of those moments though was two of sheer happiness. Feeding an infant so small and malnourished they were smaller than my hand. The day our cerebral malaria pt fianally woke up and spoke to her 10 year old daughter who slept on the wooden and dirt floor next to her every night. The massive tent city just outside port-au-prince, with one single solitary makeshift kite flying gleefully over it, oblivious to the abject poverty and stuggles below it... These are the images I will take home with me, the ones of hope, the ones of need. Haiti faces so many socioeconomic challanges on it way to deveoplement. The paitents I helped, the amazing voulanteers I worked with, the families of the ones who died this week, and the awesome kids, they still need help. Haiti will never make it without the Hatians doing the majorty of the recovery themselves, but they need healthy bodies to do it. Please consider donating to project medishare. God knows they need the supplies. But try coming down here and putting in your own time. It my not change your life, but it will change someone elses.'

Before I leave, I'd like to send out a special thanks to all of those who helped me this week, and those other volunteers who I was fortunate enough to spend time with. You brought me through the frequent hell that is life here with your smiles, your insights, and your love for your professions. Additionally, the Seattle team... You make me want to quit adults, move the the northwest, and work a PICU. I will miss you terribly.


Michael L.

The end.

I am writing on the last night I will be in Haiti. A whole week has gone by and I can't believe how fast and amazing my time here has been. While here I have felt the whole range of emotion which for me is not usual. I started my week in the ICU and after two days moved to the med surg tent where I stayed for the rest of the week. Each day I was overwhelmed with the needs of the pts, the heat, stress, pain and crazyness that was common place there. I can't say enough for the staff I worked with.It was a honor to be able to work along side for a whole week the same people. The nurses who ran their buts off. The doctors who gave the most caring, attentive and best care anyone could be expected to do with the resources they had. I have made friends and will miss them. The pts and family have truely bless me and I will not soon forget their faces or ability to make me smile. I have many stories I could tell but not the energy to tell. Only to say I didn't for one moment regret coming here and hope and pray this will not be the last time I am able to be apart of this type of experience.

Ben

The Last Day

It was quite difficult getting up this morning (even though my entire body was sticky and sweaty from this humidity); this week has been the most work I have ever made it through...over 100 hours of work...and some people worked 24 hour shifts (like Mike being the only ICU nurse the first 2 days who then transitioned to a PICU nurse today when we were slammed). Today was a difficult day with an emergent peds trauma that we quickly rushed to the OR where I was trying to hang a dopamine and epi drip with no pump and only a pen and paper to do the calculation(thanks Erica! Calculators are yet another item taken for granted!) Right when I was done with the drip I heard Mike tell me that they needed a PICU nurse to start an IV on a new code so I rushed back on over (...we need PICU nurses here!) As I was leaving the OR, I saw one of our amazing doctors-Tom- trying his best to help this child as he was pulling his own blood out to give him as he was actively bleeding and we had no blood available (we only had two units that we had already used). Everyone here cares so much and has been doing everything that they can to help. It is so different here then it is in the states...if a doctor was trying to save a life by giving a child his own blood because there was nothing else available in the U.S., I'll bet that he would be sued...here the families know that everything is done to help and with a good heart. I have enjoyed working here with families that are grateful that all you can do is give them a cot right next to 15 other kids and their families crammed in a small 12'x25' portion of a large tent that is boiling hot/humid where as in the U.S. the patients/parents will complain that you only have apple and orange juice but not cranberry. I have been very honored to be a part of this as difficult as it was. I have learned not to waste anything (even if it is a buritrol that is missing a peice or is not compatible with anything....Ray can turn it in to a spaceship so "don't throw anything away!" he told me.....which by the way last night he and Derek ended up opening the wine bottle with a spinal needle into the cork and pushing air into it with a 30 cc syringe). I can't beleive it's the last day...thanks to everyone who has been a support to us. It really makes a difference here in Haiti. There are so many children that would have died from simple dehydration and yet they have a chance. And not only on the medical aspect but just the basic care to humans (love and compassion). Today a child told one of our workers "I love you and want you to be my dad" (her dad died in the earthquake)...that was heart wrenching. Anyways I am so excited for home but I know I will miss it here as soon as our flight leaves. Thanks again!

Tara-PICU RN

Adventiste 'Ospital...

Dr. "Joe" and I went to the "Adventisite 'Ospital today..." we spent about 6 hours there, I was the only "OR Nurse" there! Nurses are needed desperately! Not only at Medishare, but in the surrounding hospitals!

Took a 1.5 hour tour thru the city of PaP to get there... truly unbelievable! I took a tour in February vicariously... thru those in my team that got out into the city... Today... first hand... Not much has changed! Tent cities everywhere, a lot of destruction and devastation...

Our driver took side streets to "avoid" traffic... the emergency blinkers were on, which actually commands some respect from the Haitian people... along with a few well placed blasts on the car's horn...From Adventiste... we took two patients back with us to Medishare... Try cramming 7 people into an SUV designed to carry 5... add a long spine/back board, personal belongings, hang two IV's, and keep a Styrofoam container lid on as one speeds 40+ mph thru PaP becuase the windows are down and it is much cooler than trying the A/C...

Sry... not a lot of pics...


Ray

Baseball anyone?

This evening, after a very long and stressful day in the OR, several of us (techs, nurses, surgeons) were sitting around and were talking and decompressing. The topic of conversation somehow came around to Whiffle Ball...

That led to a piece of webril being unwound, wadded up, and then encased in a thin layer of duct tape...

Which of course led to an excursion to our supply tent, which we found an unusable piece of aluminum (part of the end support brace for a cot), some cotton batting (there are thousands of rolls...), then the idea to use up some of the fiberglass splinting/casting material we have (a gazillon rolls of...), add a small roll of coban to the end... and what do you have.... a baseball bat!

By 4:30 pm we were in the field at the western end of camp... bases set... pitching and batting practice done... when we had the first ever, official baseball game, lasting only two innings, in Port Au Prince, at the Project Medishare camp! We even had a few people watching and cheering for us!

Tomorrow is the second day in our season, and we have quite the roster of individuals who want to play!

A little diversion... a little piece of home... a little fun...

Gotta keep it all in perspective! ;)


Ray

Inexperienced

There are no words for the inadequacy I felt today. By 730 AM we had two teams at the gate triaging people trying to send only the most severe acute cases we could to the ER. They gave us antibiotics, otc pain relievers, and many other assorted medications and told us to only send back what we couldn't fix at the front. We saw people who had cancer and had to turn them away because of a lack of proper equipment. Yet each one was thankful for being able to get some sort of medical care for their problems. Thank God for the flagstaff team everyone has been a rock star helping out in everyway possible. Definitely the trip of a lifetime

Nate

Where do I start...this trip has been the most work, in the most extreme conditions, but yet at the same time the most fun and exciting time I have ever had working as a nurse (and many other occupations that I would never be able to do in the states). The heartache here has been more than you could fathom but the strength among the Haitians even more. I have learned so much from my experience here and it is not even half way through. As I arrived at the Port au prince airport and watched people as I went through the custom process that was set up, I thought to myself 'everyone here that I am observing probably is thinking about a lost loved one as they work'. We arrived at the Medishare tent hospital and has a brief tour. I was immediately sent to work in the PICU where I have had more experience in the first two days than I have had the last few years as a nurse. The need here is tremendous and I begin to feel overwhelmed at times but I remember that if everyone helps just one person then that makes this an entirely different world. The Haitains and volunteers that are here are amazing. We have all become support for each other in emotional times of loss and sorrow and through that have been truly blessed. Volunteering your skills and love to people is the best thing that I have ever done...AND I have learned how to be an engineer for just about anything I need with whats available...oh and also that propel doesn't have any sodium in it so don't chug it when you are working nonstop in a tent in Haiti when the ac is turned off and you are sweating constantly or else you will feel dizzy and need to get an IV by one of your fellow nurses. Ok now I need to help Derek and Ray figure out how to open the bottle of Furia Merlot with the few resources consisting of two can openers and a rubber mallet.....there are also some small pebbles on the ground. Thanks for all of your support!

-Tara Cecil @2300

Totally worth it!!

The time we spend here in haiti is short, but the experiences last a lifetime.

Ray and I were the only O.R. crew for two days, during that time we did 23 cases ranging from Femoral external fixators to c-sections. On Monday we welcomed a O.R. trained nurse and an ortho scrub tech, however during the next two days the scrub tech was not around the facility. He was able to go abroad with the surgeon he came with to do cases at other facilities in the port-au- prince area. This left myself as the ONLY scrub tech in the Medishare hospital. Pretty busy!!

Tonight I was waiting line for some dinner when a STAT C-section came in, so much for dinner!! within 5 minutes I had scrubbed in and pulled instruments, I had never even met the surgeon. Talk about pressure!! I was literally sweating bullets. The patient was fine and the baby was a beautiful boy!! SUCCESS!!

That is why I do what I do.........miracles happen every day

I LOVE MY JOB.


D

Wednesday April 21, 2001

It is very late Tuesday/early Wednesday morning here in Haiti...

We have been very busy, all of our team has been working hard and going above and beyond! The "rainy" season has definitely begun! Almost two nights in a row now, fairly late, but significant rainfall! No flooding per-se, as trenches have been dug around the compound to shed the rainwater into pits... that are subsequently pumped out into non-critical/less chance of flooding areas... Hot during the day... Hot and humid in the afternoon! The early evening breeze around 6pm is a welcome diversion!

Mosquitoes abound in the early evening... 40% DEET is a must!

I checked in on a former patient this evening (from our previous trip in February), the first chance I had... he is still here and maintaining, in good spirits and is hopeful... Which is a miracle in and of itself If you are prayerful... please include "Jean" in them... I am sure God knows who he is...

I can only speak for myself, but in three days, Derek and I have done about 30 cases in the OR... crazy! As the only two people with OR experience... we were thrust into Ortho, OB/GYN, ENT, General, and Neuro cases...

Please bear in mind... there are limited resources here and we are opening an "Ophthalmology Pack" to get a couple of sterile gowns, a back table cover, a few sponges, and a drape or two... in order to do an Ex-Lap! Of course we add as able... maybe a pack of Laps or two, instruments as available, a bovie...

However, I will let others explain their experiences! Last night and today was particularly rough for all of us... Let their posts tell the story...


Ray

Some pics...

Day #1

Well, we have been in Haiti now for about 36 hours. I am working in the Med-Surg adult tent along with 4-5 other nurses. It's been many years since I have done staff nursing but you just have to dig in to get the work done. My fellow RNs are an incredible bunch which makes the working environment much more enjoyable. I am looking forward to an incredible experience here over the next week. I hope that my contributions will aid the Haitian people in some small way.

Beth

Thoughts on being the only one of two

Well here we are back in Haiti......WOW what a difference, this place is totally updated and ready for the rains. We have walkways, we have tents over the eating area. The supply tent is like a WalMart...... AMAZING!!!
The only thing I see being a problem so far is the fact that Ray and I are the ONLY Operating Room trained personnel. That means we are responsible for EVERYTHING surgical. Saturday we had to jump right in and bust it out!! We did. We managed to do 6 surgeries ranging from a femur fracture to a c-section. It really put my critical thinking to the test. I love it.

We are on call 24-7, so I'd better go.

Peace--D

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Well we made it to Haiti!

Finally found some time to get on the internet and post! For those that were here in February... a lot has changed! My comment was, "this place is like the Hilton compared to when we were here before!" So much has changed, wooden sidewalks between tents, gravel everywhere else, drainage ditches, etc! I will try to upload pics in the next day or so...

Our team just dove right in! Amazingly most have adapted and are fitting right in... The ED is still open, but not the Triage area... Peds ICU has expanded, Adult ICU has been moved out into the PEDS tent area... there is now a 4 bed PACU where Adult ICU was... Med/Surg is pretty much the same... the Ortho Tent across from the Wound Care tent is now Physical Therapy... they have put up another small tent and are actually teaching school/day care... and the supply tent, unbelievable what they have done!!! Like a Super WalMart now!

All in all, I am amazed at the organization and upgrades that have taken place! But, we are in Haiti... and tonight the decision was made to turn of the A/C to conserve electricity... it seams the diesel fuel is in shortage in Haiti, and to keep electricity running, the A/C was shut off (it consumes 80% of the power...) So we will be able to keep the lights on, the internet up, and the ventilators running for an extra day or so without A/C, otherwise, it would all be gone by tomorrow morning!

Stay tuned! Unless the power goes out before we get resupplied with diesel fuel....


Ray

Take Two

Here we sit at MIA, waiting to board the Vision Air flight to Port-au-Prince. I really can't believe my luck, I have been afforded the opportunity to take the trip of a lifetime TWICE. I am blessed to have the support of my family and co-workers in the effort to get me where I am today.

THANK YOU. Without your help I could not do this.

The crowd here is very diverse. I enjoy watching the families departing to Cuba, The Dominican Republic, and all points south. Style is everything to these guys, I could people watch all day;)

Anywho.... We gotta get on the plane.

Peace, D

Saturday, April 17th

Well it's 3:30am in Flagstaff... and we are about to board our VisionAir flight for Haiti! Just like last time, we really don't know what type of internet access we will have. So please stay tuned!

A diverse group indeed!

Updates will be posted as possible. Again, thanks to everyone that has, and is continuing to support us!

Preparing to go!

I was told that a good portion of the feedback received about previous blogs (not mine) were questions such as: "What did it feel like?", "What were your fears?", " How did you prepare?"
So I will detail a few of my thoughts before departing tomorrow.

I received an email about the April 17th trip, on about the same day I had given notice to leave my previous nursing job at FMC. It just clicked in my mind... "I want to go to Haiti." It was perfect timing to be temporarily unemployed with the world and all of its possibilities before me... I signed up the same day!

I have had a long interest in working internationally as a nurse, and this was a good opportunity to realize that dream. I have traveled widely and have been to about 35 countries, so I felt comfortable about stepping into the unknown. I have learned through countless travels, that the majority of the people of the world, are good, friendly and helpful. I did not worry that the people of Haiti would be any different.

Actually, my biggest fear is... the constant heat and humidity! I hate high humidity, but I will deal with it, I chose to go... so I won't whine.

My last feeling that I cover here, has been my interest in learning and practicing medicine that is low technology and yet, requires critical thinking and innovation to give care. Much of the world has little of the high technology that we use to practice medicine in the US. Many people are suffering in Haiti tonight without a Tylenol to ease their pain, or even safe water to drink.

Bob Parker, RN

Thursday - April 15, 2010

I know of one person from our team that should be arriving in Miami within the next hour! They left Flagstaff around noon today, about the same time I did, but they flew, I drove! I had a few things to accomplish before I departed...

I am now sitting here at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport waiting to board my "red-eye" to Miami... I will arrive around 9:30am local time on Friday.

The vast majority of our team will be arriving in Miami throughout the day on Friday, the last, very late on Friday night. We are scheduled to depart from Miami to Port Au Prince, Haiti on Saturday at 7:00am local time... that means a 3:00am wake up to allow for preparation, travel, check-in, TSA, boarding, etc...

Once again, we do not know what the internet connectivity will be once we get there. In February it was poor and intermittent. We will attempt to post to the blog and upload pictures as much as possible, but it may be limited until we return on the 24th.

It will be interesting to see the changes that have taken place. Likewise, I am curious about the things that haven't changed... the people, conditions, and other things...

I have been charged with a few missions... checking on certain people and patients... I will make this a priority to report on, if we have the ability!


Ray

Less than a week to go...

It is now Sunday, April 11th... in less than 6 days another team from Flagstaff will be starting the journey to get to Haiti!

Please keep us in your prayers!

Friendships...

I am totally amazed that over 140 people got on an airplane in Miami and flew to Haiti one day...

That day, unless you knew your group and the people in it, everyone else were complete strangers. A week later...

Most of those same 140+ people got back on an airplane in Haiti and flew to Miami...

Almost everyone knew each other. We had shared time with, worked with, or had been involved/in contact with almost everyone that went! Disparate groups, shared a common experience, got to know one another, made contacts, and are continuing the friendships to this day! From the "micro," our Team... to the "macro," all that were on the flight... to the "global," those that were in Haiti when we were, including a quite a few Haitians!

As Flagstaff prepares to return to Haiti, with two separate teams to return in April and May...

Let us all hope that the same will occur again!

For those on FaceBook...

Search for and join the group:

Flagstaff for Haiti

New Website being Developed!

The Northern Arizona Volunteer Medical and Surgical Corporation, a non-profit 501(C)3 organization, is currently developing a website!

The URL is: www.navmc.org

It should be up and running by Friday, 4/2/10, in the afternoon/evening!

Check in soon! Check back often!

This will be the central website for sharing information about our efforts! All previous websites mentioned will eventually point to this one!

Presentation before the City Council!

This evening, Rick Krug presented a proposed Proclamation before the Flagstaff City Council! Also present were Connie, Kelly, and Ray.

The proposed Proclamation reads:

A Proclamation

Whereas, on January 12, 2010, the City of Port au' Prince, Haiti, experienced a 7.0 earthquake which killed over 230,000 Haitians...

And,

Whereas, the Nation of Haiti remains the poorest Nation in the Western Hemisphere...

And,

Whereas, over 100 citizens of the City of Flagstaff have responded to the needs in Haiti either individually or in teams...

And,

Whereas, there exists an ongoing need for assistance to the people of Haiti, both medically and logistically...

Therefore, let it be known that the City of Flagstaff and the citizens therein, proclaim our solidarity with the citizens of Haiti and encourage ongoing support, aid, and presence to bring relief to the people of Haiti in whatever way our citizens see fit.

To the above proclamation, the following outreach is hereby recognized as a means for the people of Flagstaff to offer whatever aid they are able:

Northern Arizona Volunteer Medical Corp
940 North Switzer Canyon Drive
Suite 102
Flagstaff, Arizona 86001
Facebook: www.facebook.com/flagstaffforhaiti

Friday, May 14th at the Orpheum!

We are having a public presentation and fund-raising event at Flagstaff's Orpheum Theater on Friday, May 14th!

Doors open at 6:ooPM...

Poster & personal presentations, slide show, raffle, silent auction, live entertainment!

Scheduled Line-up:

• African Drum & Dance @ 6:30PM
• Nate Stone @ 7:20PM
• Painted from Memory @ 8:20PM
• Burnett Family Bluegrass @ 9:30PM

Come join us!

Photo's are now online!

I have uploaded about 90% of the photo's. They are available to be viewed, downloaded, and shared...

Go to:

Picasa Web to view them!

If the above link fails, copy and paste:

http://picasaweb.google.com/101077157358190091636

Save the date!

We are putting together a public presentation at the Orpheum Theater in downtown Flagstaff on Friday, May 14th...

More information to follow!

3-11-2010

Good Morning, what a process this has been to even manage to write something!! First of all it was so good to meet you all and have the opportunity to work with you. I'm usually a little more social but was so tired on this trip that I didn't "get out much" I hope to see you all again someday either on a return trip to Haiti or a visit in Flagstaff.

Therapy for me has been to read every piece of news about Haiti and to keep up with the blogs. Thanks so much,Ray, for all your posts. I have posted photos on my website as well and you can see them at www.photo-op.info. My heart still aches for the people of Haiti and especially the children...working in the Peds tent was a gift that I was given. (Sleeping in the big tent was a nightmare!)

Love you and will pray for you all,

Susan

Fountain Hills

3/10/2010

After having a week to digest our week in Haiti, my feelings are still mixed about the experience. My thoughts run from extreme pride and satisfaction in the work that was done to overwhelming feelings of sorrow and futility. Even so, one theme remains true. The team from Flagstaff (and Maine) include the most incredible individuals I have had the opportunity to work with. I am so proud to have been a part of this endeavor. I hope that those of you reading this will take the time to reach out to those that went to Haiti and give a heartfelt thanks. We should all be proud.

Leaf

Behind the Scenes...

Flagstaff sent 29 people (1 person from the State of Maine ;)...) to Haiti for a week! It took us less than two weeks to pull this team together and coordinate our trip!

It would not have been possible without the help and coordination of many people!

The families of our team, the friends, the co-workers, the employers... the list can go on and on!

Frantic calls to people to get supplies, equipment, and personal items... The calls to get coverage for shifts and the people that stepped-up! Transportation, pet sitting, etc...

Although we were able to gather together 30 people, it literally took an army to get us there!

On behalf of everyone that went to Haiti, on behalf of the Haitian people, I would like to thank everyone that was involved in our trip! It was all of the "behind the scene" people that made this trip a reality! Take pride in what you did to facilitate us getting there. Without each and everyone of you, we would not have been able to go!

So once again...

Thank you!


Ray

It's Official!

We are putting together another team to go to Haiti! April 17th thru the 24th. Anyone who is interested in going/returning needs to contact Dr. John "Bull" Durham at Northern Arizona Orthopaedics (928) 774-7757.

Hopefully, this trip will be a lot easier as we have over a month to plan and prepare! As opposed to less than 2 weeks...

In addition, Dr. Kelly Reber is planning a return visit in early May. Again, any one interested in going/returning in May, needs to contact him (928) 779-5111

April?

There is a possibility that we may gather together another team to return in mid to late April... If anyone is interested in going/returning, make sure you let Bull know. Tentative dates are 4/17 to 4/24...

Things are in the works for several presentations/fund raising events! We are looking at making a presentation at the McGee Auditorium at FMC as well as a public presentation at the Orpheum Theater in downtown Flagstaff! Stay tuned for more information!

We want to thank everyone who has posted to this blog... there have been several comments regarding the information and photo's that have been posted so far... 22 followers at last count, not bad! We once again encourage everyone who went to post some of your thoughts/experiences/feelings... for those who are following us, please, post some comments! The words and feedback are greatly appreciated!

Photos are still being collected and sorted... they will continue to be uploaded to the blog for several more days, maybe even weeks... have patience please...

We would also like to once again thank everyone who has supported us and our effort! The time away from families, time off of work, monetary contributions, emotional support, and all of the little things!

Decompression...

Tonight, the majority of our team had a get-together at Bull's... it was a nice and safe place to talk about and share our experiences. A few of us even "called in," as they were unable to attend!

A special thanks to Sandy from the CoE... appetizers and dinner was fabulous! Good thing there were leftovers...

Overall, I think tonight was a great opportunity for many of us to decompress... although we have been back for over a week, it was nice to talk, reminisce, and just understand the feelings!

A day in the Emergency Department (aka "The ED Tent")

On average, we saw 80 patients a day from 8am till 11pm-ish...

The patients were suffering from a wide variety of complaints, however, most of the people we saw were in a very real need! I am totally amazed at the team members working in our Triage... they saw hundreds of people presenting for help/treatment each day, yet they only sent us 60 or 70 of the most sickest patients to see and treat per day. The other 10 or 20 patients we saw per day were coming in by military ambulances, UN, and transport vehicles from outlying clinics, villages, etc...

Dehydration, abdominal pain, the UTI's, malaria, fevers, Asthma attacks etc... The traumas started when it started to get dark... auto accidents, gunshots, stabbings, assaults... Kudos to Elena, Amy, Kristi and Laura! It took, on average 15 minutes from arrival, through stabilization and X-rays, to get to either the OR or admission! (Battlefield Medicine at it's finest!) I was very impressed with Elena... pushing Doctors out of the way, to get access to the patient to provide the most basic of interventions... I wish a few facilities and doctors could have experienced this! It would change their view of Trauma Care!

Had a few late nights too... just finally falling asleep around 1:00am, only to be awakened because a woman was in labor... I got to help deliver a baby, another patient came in, then 3 traumas... assault, gunshot, and auto accident... when it was all done and we were ready to go back to bed... yet another woman in labor! As I began to notice that it was getting light out, I looked at my watch and saw that it was 5:30am... only 3 1/2 hours of "sleepable" temperatures left! One of a few 20+ hour days...

The people I worked with were awesome! Although we had a lot of positive experiences and outcomes in the ED, we also had a few negative ones. As a team, we took interest in a few of the patients we treated. Following up on them, it was heartbreaking, and quite a few tears were shed, when we learned that some of our patients ended up dying a day or two later. We gave everything we had to help them, the word "frustrating" doesn't even begin to express our feelings!

I am also very proud of the rest of our team! The Nurses went way over "above and beyond!" From the OR, the ICU, the Med/Surg tent... They pushed well past what would be considered "normal nursing." 25+ patients per nurse in the Med/Surg tent... sometimes even more than that!

One of the most interesting things I experienced was what went "missing" overnight from the ED. We were in a tent, really an awning... all of our supplies, equipment, etc. was totally unsecured. All of the medications including narcotics were just sitting on a shelf. I would arrive in the morning and do an inventory of supplies we needed for the day. The two things that were always gone...

the bottle of Ibuprofen and baby diapers!

The narcotics (morphine, Versed, Valium, Fentanyl)... untouched! It was that big bottle of those little "orange pills" that was always gone! The baby wipes and diapers as well!

I witnessed some amazing things while in Haiti... Elizabeth Durham, getting some of the kids to just play...


Che' the respiratory therapist put together a "battle-field" CPAP that we used to help a Haitian man that was having a severe and prolonged asthma attack... This man took 3 days to get to us... we were able to break his asthma attack, admitted him, and he ended up having a repeat episode and died three days later...

Over all... I am thankful and grateful that I was able to go to Haiti. I am proud of my fellow team members that went! Although we had some varied experiences, I know that we helped and made a difference to at least one person... for me, that is enough!

Ray

Updated Photo's

I have posted some updated photo's of our Travel, from the Haiti Airport and the Emergency Department...

This weekend I will post more from the Camp, the Pediatric Tent, NICU/PICU/CICU, Adult ICU, Med/Surg, the OR and from around Port Au Prince. I am considering posting some of the more graphic pictures... of injuries, surgeries, etc... these pictures would definitely be considered "R" rated... I will confer with my colleagues before I do...

For those in Flagstaff, remember Sunday at Bull's... Hope to see you there!

Thanks to everyone who coordinated us getting to Haiti and back home. What an experience. I am going through a reverse culture shock being back home. Something is not right in the world that we have so much and they have so little. The people I met there are in my thoughts constantly. Again, what an experience.

WOW!!

Well.... it's officially over. We are home safe, so mission accomplished.
The first 24 hours were interesting to say the least. After arrival in Haiti we had to unload the plane due to the lack of personel at the airport, so luggage and medical supplies were removed and piled on the tarmac. Then the flatbed trucks arrived to take everything to the compound, just like you see in National Geographic, the trucks were overloaded with backpacks and boxes. It was crazy!!
After watching our packs go we had to go through immagration. This consisted of showing our passports to a person who, somehow in the dark, recognized the picture to be who you said you were and stamped you in. Next through the metal detector, or not ( I was waved through due to a person in front of me setting it off.) and out into the night. As we waited for the "cabs" to come take us to the compound we met some really awesome kids who were offering help. They spoke some english and I got to bust out my French. Ohh,Lala c'est magnifique!
The "cabs" arrived and off we went, compound sweet compound!!
We waited here until after midnight to register, get checked (they wanted to be sure you were licensed to practice) and find a cot. Whooops---not enough room for everybody!!
We were ready to sleep on the ground, when by some miraculous aligning of the planets I was invited to sleep in a private tent. I grabbed my stuff and we crammed six cots into a tent designed for four.
Now time for some shut eye. After 4 hours of fitful sleep, the alarm went off and I was off to the O.R. for "orientation", but that is another story.


D

Haiti... The first day...

I left Flagstaff on Thursday after work. Drove down to Phoenix, stayed at my sister's house, got a ride to the airport early Friday morning. I met my group at Sky Harbor and we began our travel day to Miami. A long flight to Charlotte, NC... a little layover, then on to Miami.

We stayed overnight in Miami and left for Haiti on Saturday. The flight to Haiti was a little delayed, but we got there! The first thing I noticed was when we got off the aircraft... 80+ degrees with 90+ percent humidity! It was like walking into a wall! There was only one baggage handler to offload 140+ people's luggage and cargo, so we all pitched in to help offload the aircraft. All of the luggage was piled into a truck, about 6 feet above the cargo sides... one guy climbed up to make sure none fell off, and he was almost our first trauma as the driver didn't realize the clearance was limited and drove under an airport gangway, almost taking off his head!

We got to the University of Miami/Medishare camp late. After we registered and checked in, it was a scramble to find sleeping arrangements... then a quick meeting of the providers coming in. Trying to cover and fill some night shifts, figuring out where everyone was going to be assigned, and other assorted tasks.

Went to bed around midnight, only to get up early enough the next morning for a general camp/staff meeting. Then off to work!

Little to no orientation... just jumped into it!


Ray

Home in Maine and decompressing

What a week! A big surprise to all of you that I talk in my sleep (yea it's true), and I guess I woke up calling for an anesthesiologist last night :) Go figure! On a more serious note, I need to send my heart felt feelings to my Flagstaff friends. I have never had the opportunity to work and be with such an amazing group of medical professionals. I was honored to be part of this team and to push the limits with all of you! It is a bit strange to be home where things have been carrying on as "normal", and no one is around to time me in the shower!! Ray, Bull has my photos on his camera though I will try to get the few photos I have off my Blackberry to add. I send my love to all of you and hope to see you all in the future. Preferably on a River Trip, but dinner works too. Liz

Photo's

I have begun to start posting photos on the blog. Check out the various photo pages by following the links at the top.

I have gathered together a few of our team members pictures and in reviewing them, I find it interesting that many of us took very similar pics, albeit from different perspectives.

On average each team member that I have gotten pictures from, took about 200 pictures... that means we have almost 3000 pictures between all of us, so please be patient as we begin to post them...


Ray

Back in Miami!

Well...

We all made it back to Miami safe and sound! The Haitian airport was a trip in and of it self though! It took us almost seven hours to get from our camp, through the airport, and back to Miami... it's less than a two hour flight!

There was a single line for departures and only two security screening stations as you enter the airport. Imagine over 140 people all shuffling along. Then add the Haitian "VIP's" just walking up to the front of the line and being allowed to slip in.

Once through the initial security checkpoint, yet another line to process through customs, then another line for a second security checkpoint which included metal detector, hand pat-down, luggage x-ray, and the occasional bag search. Then it was a walk right out to the tarmac!


Yes, we were literally having planes pull up within 30 feet of us! Talk about noise!









It is now Sunday morning and our group is slowly beginning to trickle back to Phoenix, then on to their homes. Some left at 6:00am, others will depart throughout the day, with the last of us arriving in Phoenix at 8:00pm this evening.


This was an incredible week. The Haitian people, the work, the conditions... every one of us has been impacted! The need is so great that it is overwhelming. Stay tuned... more pictures and posts coming soon!

Haiti Update...

It is 1:30am on Thursday, local time...

To say that these past few days have been an experience, is to utterly understate the idea! There is so much that needs to be done, yet we have very limited resources. We are trying to do what can be done with what we have.

Everyone on our team has gone above and beyond... Dr. Jeff Daniels has assumed the role of Chief Medical Officer for the entire camp, the other Physicians have pulled together and helped organize systems and supplies (while still providing the care they came to provide), the Nurse Practitioners, the Nurses are working outside of their "comfort" zones in areas they normally do not, the Respiratory Therapist (great job on the "battle-field CPAP!"), the Social workers, Jarret and Dr. Reber! Kudos to each and every one of you! From what I have seen and heard, words can not even begin to describe the experiences each and every one of us has had!

Since we have had limited internet access, we are planning on uploading as many pictures as possible when we get back. It will start on Saturday/Sunday when we return to Miami. It will continue for a few days as we try to consolidate as many pictures as possible. Some of our team will begin to blog when they get back to tell their stories and express their feelings.

We wish to thank everyone that has supported this effort... family, friends, co-workers, employers... By supporting us and allowing us to be here, you have contributed to this effort as well! So we thank you, and there are quite a few Haitians that would thank you as well, if they could!

Greetings from Haiti!

Well, we made it! It has been very busy for everyone.

Internet access is very limited, so I do not know if we will be able to post much or any pictures till we get back. Hope to get better internet access soon.

Have experienced a few aftershocks, nothing major... more like a little rumble.

Warm, humid, lots of patients!

I am sure that this will be an experience that none of us will forget!

Late Bloomers

So here it is, a mere week after hearing about this expedition to Haiti, we are gathering at Summit Surgery Center to depart for Phoenix. My traveling companions are, Lina Carlucci, Amy Prince, Ellena Kirschner, and Dave Kumasaka.
Our plane leaves PHX at 255 P.M. local time and arrives in Charlotte,NC at 845 P.M. We decided to leave Flagstaff by 10 A.M. since it is a 2.5 ish hour drive to PHX with traffic and construction. During the car ride we were working on our Creole' phrases and generally keeping spirits high with talk of the adventure ahead. We arrived at Sky Harbor by 1240 and were on our way! 3 and a half hours later we are in Charlotte!! That is when we found out our plane to Miami was delayed with no arrival time yet. Good thing the Olympics were on.
Our connecting flight arrived in Charlotte at 1210 A.M. we made it to Miami by 330 A.M. Woo-Hoo, Half way to Haiti. A quick 4 hours of sleep and we are ready to finish the travel part of this journey.

Let's do this!!

Derek Bontrager

Travel Day!

Whew!

I applaud those that got up early this morning to meet at Summit Surgery Center at 6:00am to carpool down to Phoenix! Hopefully someone took some pictures and will post them.

The majority of our group arrived at Sky Harbor just before 9:00am. Group Check-in allows for "special" services as they opened a ticketing/check-in counter just for us! Only one or two pieces of luggage were repacked to consolidate and take advantage of no baggage fees for "medical supplies."


Security Check Point went smoothly... a few members learned how to "Fast Pass"... that is, as we snaked back and forth through the queue, when they came up to a member of the group that was ahead of them, they went under the rope and joined them!

Of course a few required some "extra" attention!

I was only aware of three of our group that needed such attention... however, I am happy to report that everyone was cleared and was able to continue on!





Both legs of our trip, Phoenix to Charlotte and Charlotte to Miami were pretty uneventful. Of course we had to wait for our luggage in Miami...

Luckily, all of our checked bags and crates arrived!

From there we dispersed to two different hotels. We have yet another wave of arrivals still coming in though. Last report was that they are delayed in Charlotte and will not arrive until 3:00 or 4:00 am local-time. Good thing we have a late check-out tomorrow!

Tomorrow is the day we go to Haiti! Currently we are scheduled to depart at 5:45pm local-time. About one and a half hours to Haiti from Miami. Although there has been some concern, as they have recently restarted commercial flights into and out of the Port-Au-Prince airport and delays have been reported.

Please check out the PHOTO'S PAGE, as this is where the majority of the photos will be posted.

The Eve/Morning of our departure to Miami!

Well, it is finally here! A brief meeting tonight to distribute about 300 pounds of medical supplies and equipment that will be added to luggage.

A few members of our group have already left for Phoenix, the bulk of the group will be leaving Flagstaff at 6:30am tomorrow! Most of us will be on the same 11:10am flight to Miami, so it should be a fun flight.

We had our second meeting last night. What a great turnout and what a great mix of people!

We sorted through various medical supplies determining what we were going to bring and what was still needed. These supplies were sorted and distributed to some of the team members to be added to luggage.

A lot of details were discussed and as in any major undertaking, it seams that there are a lot of details that still need to be addressed.

It is now less than 48 hours before the first members of our team depart for Miami! In talking with some of my co-workers that are going, the general feeling is of "nervous-excitement!" We are excited that we are able to go and provide assistance, but a little nervous regarding the conditions and type of work will be asked to do.

If you know of anyone that is interested in donating to help offset our costs, and eventually send needed medical supplies to Haiti, have them contact:

Kelly Reber, DPM
(928) 699-3752
kjreber @ live . com

Flagstaff In Haiti...

Welcome!

On Monday, February 8th, an email was sent out by Dr. J. "Bull" Durham (Northern Arizona Orthopaedics) announcing an opportunity and a request for volunteers to accompany him to Haiti.

To date, at least 25 people from the Flagstaff area have responded and committed to go to Haiti, to help in anyway that they can! It may end up being a 30 member team... From NAO, Flagstaff Medical Center (FMC), private Physicians, and a variety of other local medical professionals...

Physicians, Nurses, Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, X-Ray techs, First Assists, Scrub Techs, and others....

To date, we have had one meeting. We will have another on Tuesday, February 16th. Talk about a scramble! Since the 8th... passports, immunizations, finding coverage for shifts/call status, buying personal items, acquiring supplies/equipment, prescriptions for anti-malarials and antibiotics, assessing needs/wants/possibilities, arranging air travel, hotel, etc. Talk about a "quasi-military" operation!

There will be many things that need to be discussed, done, and accomplished before the February 19th departure date from PHX... there are also many emotions, many thoughts, and many fears that need to be expressed...

This is an open blog! All team members will be able to post... Some will, some will not... Pictures will be posted as possible... Once the team gets to Haiti, it may be impossible to post anything! Just stay tuned, the team will blog and post as able! Just be prepared... this will be raw information! Raw pictures!

All we ask is that you keep all of us in your thoughts and prayers...


Ray