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The topics that we taught while we were in Haiti included: How and when to give Blood transfusions, what type of infectious agents cause Pneumonia and how it can be detected and treated, Hypertension the disease and treatment, Gallbladder Disease and treatment, and Venous insufficiency and treatment. Anyone coming down on the March team, stay tuned as Dr's Abdun-Nur, Martin, and I will try to come up with a wish list which I will post here.
As far as I have heard, each member of our team made it home safe. It was so sweet to get to know each of you and to work with you this last week. Every one of you touched the lives of both the team members and the Haitian people that we worked with. May God bless you 'till we meet again. Thanks to each team member individually:

Jen and Kenzie Meyer: Jen for being a nurse and teaching and training the Haitian nurses. Kenzie, you are a little fireball of energy and fun, you definitely added light to our trip!

Ada and Don Plattner: Thank you Don for being our team leader and putting together all the little details that make it possible for us to make it to Haiti! Thank you Ada for your work as a nurse, for your care for patients and teaching the Haitian nurses!

Linda Hodel: Thank you for your therapy that you did for the patients, for your company on our walks, and for your good example. Remember, 'Pain is weakness leaving the body!!!' ;)

Carol Loughridge: Thank you, Carol for your caring therapy that you did for the patients, I'm sure they much appreciate it!

Claudia Strahm: Thank you for being a nurse and for the fun times you were not afraid to join in! Think: Beach soccer with the Haitian children! :)

David and Katherine Abdun-Nur: Thank you both for running the clinic and the ER, but mostly for your example of love for Christ and each other. May God bless you both and keep your marriage strong!

Aaron Martin: Thank you for your patience and service. You are an excellent surgeon and teacher. Thanks for bailing me out. :)

John Rufener: Thanks Dad for coming with me and for all your work on the hospital electrical system. I always feel safe knowing that you are with me!

Wally: Thanks for being our team minister and for your tireless dedication to the people of Haiti. God will reward you.

Sheila, Steve, and Natalie: Thanks for your comittment to serve in Haiti, having you there definitely ironed out many of the details and helped to make the road smoother! Words cannot express how thankful we are for your multiple labors of love given to help the team and the Haitian people!

Dr. Richeme: Thanks for your tireless dedication to the people of Haiti. We appreciate you so much for staying when it might be easier on you and your family to leave it all behind. May God bless you and keep you!

I will think of you all and pray for you.
Love,
Kristin

nurses notes

We have had many blessings getting to know our colleagues in nursing. They are very knowledgeable. Because of the living conditions here, patients stay in the hospital much longer than in the US. The pace is slower and everything takes a bit more time. This type A nurse has had to learn patience! We hope that we have started a few system changes that will still be in place when the next team returns; just we have built upon the work of previous teams. A week is just enough time to develop a heart for this hospital and the Haitian folks. Blessings to all back in the states. Claudia

nursing notes

Almost finished with our week

We have all enjoyed getting to know each other, our patients, & our Hatian co-workers...it has been a successful week! One thing positive is that the hospital is not near as full/busy/stressful & so it has been much easier to accomplish our goals. The nurses have done great at restocking/organizing the nurses station/pharmacy & even gave backrubs!! The patients are surviving their pain & torture from the P.T. sessions!! The evening devotions have been so thought provoking for all & we are reminded of how blessed we are & what a joy to share God's love & blessings to those who have not been given as much as we have. Although one team member said it so accurately that the Haitians have been a bigger blessing to her than she has been for them. This morning we visited 3 different schools & it brought tears to our eyes to hear them sing for us. A few pictures for you all!! Linda

Thursday

I've attached a picture of the view of the Haitian countryside so that you can truly imagine how beautiful it is here. The mountains, especially in the sunrise are awe-inspiring.

Today we actually have no cases on the schedule, so we are busying ourselves doing rounds, therapy with patients, seeing ER/Clinic patients, and organizing the Pfister house. The Pfisters' are missionaries that are moving down to Haiti permanently to witness.

At two, Dr. Martin did a lecture for all of the Haitian medical staff as well as our team. It was very interesting and I'm sure everyone can say that they learned a lot.

The Hospital Lumiere Red Cross was asking for blood donors, and many of our charitable team members contributed. I'm sure that many Haitians, as well as their families are greatful for this gift.

I feel a little bad that the focus of the blog is so much on the surgical portion of the mission, but that is where I am. If I can con anyone into contributing about their experiences, I will.

We are looking forward to dinner and devotions tonight.

:) Kristin

Wednesday

Wednesday: The day started rather slow for those of us in surgery with only two cases on the schedule, an open gallbladder surgery and a debriedment of pressure ulcers. After we finished those cases and rounds, we went to the Haitian market. Dr. Martin enjoyed his first 4-wheeler ride. Quite brave, considering he is the team surgeon!

It was very interesting so see the amount of wares that were available for purchase. You could buy anything from chicken or pigs, to medication and make-up. There were even people selling large piles of new shoes. Kind of makes you wonder how they get the things to sell, as there is no such things as a local Wal-mart here. I've attached a picture of Dr's Richeme and Martin in the OR.

I've also attached a picture of the faithful am walking crew. Would you believe that we are willingly getting up at 6am to hike up the hill for 45 min? It's actually quite beautiful. There are many Haitians walking with their animals to the market or to graze.

While we were at the market, Dr. Richeme got a call that a trauma was in the ER, so we hopped back on the 4-wheeler, minus Dr. Martin, and returned to the hospital. We actually ended up going back to the OR to do an ORIF of an open fracture.

Hope everyone is doing well!

Kristin

Tuesday

Hey everyone,

Today was a good day for all of us whether doing surgery, patient care, therapy, or seeing the many patients that come through the ER. Even though we only had two cases on our schedule, we managed to stay busy.

We organized, threw out expired medication, and tried to bring some sense of order to all the many generously donated items.

Worship was uplifting as usual. Doctor Dave read out of Luke 15 and we all discussed the story of the prodigal son. It is amazing to think that God waits for us and loves us enough to want us to come back to Him.

Sheila took some of the group to Cais (sp?) to enjoy some time down there. We miss you!

Hope all is going well for everyone at home!
Kristin

I forgot to bring my camera down for the night, so tomorrow I will try to post more pictures of our team!

Monday

So today when Natalie and I went on our walk to enjoy the beautiful Haitian countryside we were joined by my dad, Aaron, and Linda. It is worth getting up early to see the sunrise and the various Haitians walking their goats, cows, and pigs to the market, or wherever they are taking them.

Today in worship the pastor read from Luke 27, focusing on how Christ washed his disciples' feet, a true example of servant leadership. It was fulfilling to hear how each of us are called to serve even the 'least of these,' our brothers.

In the OR, Dr's Martin, Richeme, and Samosa prepared to operate on the first patient of the day, an incisional hernia repair from an open gallbladder surgery. After a slightly hazardous start to the case, everything went well. The patient recovered well and is sleeping. Dr. Martin then debrieded some bedsores, wrapping up our not-too-busy schedule.

After lunch, we went to clinic and saw patients that had come in through the ER that might be candidates for tomorrows schedule.

The physical therapy and nursing teams have been working so hard as well. They say that 'Pain is weakness leaving the body.' I'm not sure as I totally agree, or maybe I'm just afraid to wake up from my total knee replacement and see Linda as my therapist. At least I've found her Achilles heel!

I am posting a group picture so you can all see us in our finest from church.

Keep praying for us, we need it!

Kristin

Sunday

First off, sorry to everyone for slacking off on the blog. Sunday morning was a wonderful day of worship and thankfulness to God for all He has done for us. In the morning we attended a haitian church, it was so moving to see that despite the hardships the Haitian people face, they worship God with an exuberance that cannot be expressed. You simply have to see and hear it to get a true appreciation.

Following worship service we ate some wonderful Haitian food cooked by the very talented Mona and then set off for 'Lightning Rounds' with Dr. Rudy. ;) We managed to stir up two surgical patients for Monday so we knew that we would have some work ahead of us. We then enjoyed dinner and a meditation on Psalm 103, my favorite verse being "For He knoweth our frame, He remembereth that we are dust."

Natalie and I got up early to walk this morning and several of our group have promised to join us in the days ahead. We'll see if they follow through.

Janet: Islande went home and they never heard how things went for her.

Audi: We have met some very great people from Oregon while here, who knows, a trip back to the west coast may be in order. Are you ready? ;)

Mandie: Thinking of you and miss you! See you as soon as I can when I get back.

To all of our families: We love you and think of you often. Thanks for your prayers.

My prayer is for God's protection and guidance for each member of our team, more specifically Dr. Aaron, Dr. Rudy, and Dr. Dave.

:) Kristin

2/4/2012

We made it safe to Bonne Finn, Haiti.

This morning our team assembled at the Miami airport and boarded our flight to Port Au Prince. It was great to finally meet everyone and we pray that our trip here will bless the Haitians. Our trip from Port Au Prince was not near as hazardous as I remember from last time.

We ate dinner together as a team and then Wally Ramsier meditated on Psalm 92. We are thankful that we all made it down here safe! Tomorrow we will go to the Haitian service and then on to Grand Rounds after lunch. At this point we will identify patients in need of surgery and schedule them as we can.

Hope everyone back home is doing well! Thanks for all your prayers for our safety!
Kristin

Cleveland to Miami

The first leg of our trip is finally starting! Wally Ramsier, Dad, and I were dropped off at the Cleveland airport. From here we fly to Miami, FL to meet with the rest of our team and tomorrow we are off to Haiti.

I am so excited to meet everyone and mentally preparing myself for the hazardous journey up the mountain from Port Au Prince to Bonne Finn. I haven't forgotten that in a year!!

A special hello to Mr. Sugarman's first grade class in Rittman. They are doing a flat Stanley project and my nephew Karson gave me a 'Flat Karson' to take to Bonne Finn Haiti. I am publishing a picture of Karson holding the 'Flat Karson' who is preparing for the long trip. ;)

Maybe another post tonight. Hope everyone is doing well.

Kristin