Immersed

There's nothing else to do but jump in. Yesterday it rained and the evening and night were actually pleasant after an exhausting day long journey that began when the alarm went off at 4:30 AM and ended at 7:00 PM with arrival on campus at Hospital Albert Schweitzer. I slept well until the very early morning hours well before daylight when the rooster outside my window began to crow at random intervals. The morning was cool as we walked to the hospital and later beginning rounds. Then the heat began to move in. Around 9:00 AM I started mopping my brow and haven't stopped since. The effects of my shower are already gone. No rain this afternoon and the humidity is thick enough to touch. I started off moving slowly, feeling sleepy as we walked through rounds, then observing one of the Techs on the ward and offering a few suggestions. Then I began treating patients and all sleepiness went away. As the sweat poured down I became fully immersed in the experience that is Haiti. So many things are the same as at home--the relentless process of aging. Multiple patients on the medical ward with congestive heart failure. The family of the stroke patient who is 2 years post stroke, contracted in both legs and unable to walk, begging me to see him at least once a week. He has already had a period of intensive Physical Therapy in New York and he remains immobile. The Techs here, as well as the family, had a difficult time accepting that his situation is unlikely to change this late. Will close for now and begin sorting through the supplies I have to take to the hospital. It is fully dark; the days are getting shorter as August rolls in. There is much to tell and my creativity fails as I ponder how to get it all in. Thanks for reading this if you have suffered through this far. Until later . . . . . .