Cholera

No, it hasn't spread to Jeremie as far as I know. But "cholera" became much more real to me today after listening to our chief medical doctor talk this morning to all the pregnant women who came for exams today and then again talking to all our staff, including grounds keepers, guards, etc., this afternoon, about how to protect oneself against cholera. Prevention is the key -- because, once it strikes, rehydration is the only response.

As you have probably heard, severe and continuous vomiting and diarrhea overcome a person in a very short time and, if enough fluids are not reintroduced into the body, the person will die. Cholera is spread through contaminated water as well as through eating contaminated vegetables and fruits that are not cooked and have no protective "outer layer". So extra care must be taken if consuming anything raw, good hygiene including handwashing since it is spread through fecal contamination. Haiti has not had cholera for over 100 years, so everyone is on the alert.

Even the cell phone company has a special number to call to hear a recorded message on what to do.

About an hour after Doctor had spoken this morning, a pregnant woman came in with "severe on-going diarrhea" and "much vomiting." A car and driver was quickly summoned and she was taken to the hospital. She had come from "ondeo" - the mountains, so we didn't know if it was in the vicinity of the outbreak, but you can guess that there were a lot of nervous people wondering what she had. We still haven't heard - so.... we hope... (However, the inside of the car, the chair she sat on, and the table she leaned against were all scrubbed down with chlorox after she left.)

That is all for now. Take care. And please pray that this latest "scourge" dies a fast death!
God bless. Mary Ann

The circle of life

Meet John Baptiste Lukeson - a tiny boy who wasn't named until yesterday, 6 days after he was born.
His mother had a C-Section and began hemorrhaging shortly after. She was returned to the operating room but died on the table. The baby lived.
For 3 days another mother here at the Center wet nursed him along with her own newborn - while we tried to contact the Father.
However, this second mother couldn't continue to wet nurse him, so oooooo, we started him on formula and I became his caregiver. All you mothers out there - I didn't know a baby could produce so much dirty laundry in one day! However, he proved to be a contented baby and ate, slept, and dirtied his diapers quite regularly! :o) He was also content to just lay in my arms.
Yesterday, the boy's father arrived along with the father's sister. After completing all the papers, John Baptiste left for his new home. Oh, yes, I called him "Johnny" after my father, brother and nephew -- and I was happy to hear the name the dad gave him.

This past week was quite busy with 14 visitors - doctors, nurses, handymen. One of the doctors teaches residents in South Dakota how to do ultrasounds. We have one nurse who does ultrasounds on pregnant women, so she and another nurse spent the entire week with "Dr. Fred," learning as much as they could. He said he saw more pathology the last afternoon here than he has seen in months in South Dakota. Of 15 patients, we had one 17 week fetal demise, one pregnant woman whose baby had an abnormal kidney and bladder, one of our kwash children with sickle cell anemia and a very enlarged spleen, and one pregnant woman who was very malnourished, newly diagnosed HIV, with no prenatal care, and a baby that was not developing properly. That was just one afternoon!

You have probably heard of the cholera epidemic here in Haiti. It is to the north of us and we have not been affected just yet. But today, every priest and minister in all the churches in the country have been asked to speak about the need for clean water, properly prepared food, washing hands, etc. The best way to get information out to all the people is through the Churches. Sometimes I wonder what else Haiti must endure!

That is all for now. Take care. Hug your loved ones. And pray for the poor of Haiti. God bless. Mary Ann

Namesakes

Meet Maryan and Maryana, twin girls and my two namesakes! They are as different as night and day! I was so surprised when I heard their names -- and the mother gave me the biggest smile when she told me. The mother tried everything to get them to open their eyes for the picture but they liked sleeping so much better.
Till next time. God bless. Mary Ann

A roller coaster Week!

These are just 3 of the 7 babies born this week. Each is given a "cado" or gift including piece of clothing. The mothers then dress them up and I take a picture - 2 really! One of the baby alone (like these) and one of the mother and child. Then I print the one of the mother and child and give it to the mother. They are so grateful! Some have never seen a photo of themselves are are always amazed. This was the fun part of the week.

The work part was sorting and distributing hundreds and hundreds of text books, paper, pens, pencils -- and all the other things needed for over 1,000 students. Then came the 3-6 PM task of giving the right packages to the right people. Each night we had to stop when we couldn't see anymore as there is no lighting in the garage. And we are still not done! More books are supposed to arrive today from Port Au Prince. So I know part of next week's tasks!

The hard part had to do with loss and death. Here at the Center we lost a 2 year old baby with kwash. The child had such a severe case that she had lost much of her skin on the arms and legs due to swelling. Her little heart just wasn't strong enough! It was the first time in my life to dress the body and put it into one of the coffins we always have available. It took hours before family members came to be with the mother and during that entire time she kept up the wailing that is customary when a loved one dies. She could be heard throughout the compound and all our patients were affected by it.

Added to all that, my own brother, the youngest in the family, died this week. It is hard to lose a brother, and harder still when so far away. So, without knowing it, that mother also wailed for me!

Till next time. Take care. God bless. And don't forget to tell all those you love that you do, indeed love them! Mary Ann

School Books

Many of you know what it is like to take the school children with you to Walmart, K-Mart, Office Max, or where ever, pick up the list put out by the child's school and grade, and start collecting the needed materials. And if you have 4 or 5 children, it is sometimes a lesson in patience!

Well, the Save A Family program has over 800 primary school children and over 800 secondary school children going to umpteen different schools in Jeremie. And, like in the states, every school and every grade has a different list of needed materials. Add to that the complication of many parents unable to read -- I think you can sort of get the picture.

So days upon days have been spent sorting textbooks, sorting pens, pencils, notebooks, crayons etc and then bagging them for each individual child.

Prior to that, Sr. Maryann and Marty have spent everyday from 3-6 since mid August verifying with parents and children that each child passed this past year, still lives in the same house, and is going to the same school. Money was then given to the parents to have school uniforms made (all schools require uniforms), and to buy shoes and socks (required of each child to go to school)

Today we started giving out books - however, many did not arrive on the boat from Port Au Prince when they were expected, so we are, as you would say, "behind the 8 ball" since school starts tomorrow. So, today, there were 6 of us in the ground floor depot frantically sorting and verifying books that are still arriving --while trying to explain to anxious parents and school children that, "I know you have 5 children and only 3 packages - but the rest aren't here yet. Check back tomorrow afternoon or the next day..."

Oh, yes, what did I say about needing patience??? Take care. Till next time. God bless. Mary Ann