waiting

looks like we're in for a second night in the bahamas...the planes we were expecting did not come through. staying in a quirky sort of budget place near the airport- it's eclectic but interesting....owned by an irishwoman who cooked us breakfast this morning. trying again tomorrow. the group is great and taking the delay in stride....lucked out with this bunch!

Creativity

This photo was taken at the hospital in Les Cayes, by a photographer we met here in Nassau. There is a huge shortage of orthopedic supplies needed to stabilize fractures. This was fashioned out of rebar and serves the purpose. I do not know the name of the physician who engineered this, but his creativity and genius are evident! While waiting for our flight, our team has obtained some hardware to fashion similar contraptions so should be able to be creative when we finally get there. Wondering if the welders at Espwa can help out with some custom work?

Waiting

Our small selected group of medical professionals from Maine is waiting in Nassau for a flight to Les Cayes, Haiti. We are two orthopedists, one anesthesiologist, an orthopedic nurse practitioner, and a recovery room nurse. Oh, and I am a nephrologist/internist/pediatrician. The surgeons have gone off to a hardware store to stock up on more screws, nails, and other instruments that are needed for the orthopedic work going on in Haiti. The Methodist Habitat Bahamas has been working hard to organize the airlift of supplies into Haiti, and while waiting here, we are learning more about what is needed right now.

Having been working in Haiti for 11 years, trips have become routine for me. Not this one. The Haiti that I knew is no more, and things will never be the same. I am most concerned about the emotional and physical toll that the last two weeks have taken on my friends and colleagues there. Anxious to be there to provide support in whatever fashion possible. Hope to be there today......