| Ah Saturday. A day of going to the beach, playing sports or a lazy morning reading the paper with your relaxing Tim Hortons 2x2. Not so much for us this Saturday. Today is Seniors Day which does not mean that they get 15% off all purchases but rather they get to see the doctor. We treated 106 patients today. Most are surprisingly healthy for their age and circumstance which is something that the returning members of the team say is common. It sort of says if you can make it through to this age you are tough enough to keep going. We had one lady who arrived suffering from pneumonia, dehydration and weakness. She was admitted for the day and given IV fluids and a bed in which to rest and started on a course of antibiotics. By closing she was able to walk out under her own power and we wish her the best encouraging her to come back to see our Haitian Doctor in a week. Saturday was also our Head Translator Alex's birthday. Wishes went out I am sure from all of his absent friends. Jo made one of his unique cake creations with whatever was available. I am told that in the past it has been everything from Raisin Bran to Cassava clearly indicating that with enough cocoa and sugar you can make the world a happy place. Two other members of our team Josh and Kyle worked themselves into a soccer game with the locals and were promptly showed up but had a great time and I think the boys took it easy on them. We were visited by a fellow from Montreal, Pierre Minh, who most of the team knows from past visits. He is a PHd student who has spent some time in Haiti learning about medical aid groups, how they work and how effective they are. Nice guy and certainly knows the language and the people well. The evening was reserved for a meal of goat (one less morning alarm clock) rice and potato salad (while the local ladies we have hired make most of the meal Jo does the more North American comfort food dishes). After dinner we all went out to the traditional Voudou night with a bright fire, drumming, singing, dancing and celebration of the spirits. See you all when I get back Tiffany Keenan, MD CCFP Ora International Director: Haiti Village Health 7 Marley Beach Drive Warwick WK08 Bermuda Bermuda. 441-599-9913 Canada. 506-474-2429 skype. tiffany.keenan.1971 |
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