Absolved by light, we decide to go on

[zyzyly]

As I was saying, we see about 40 patients a day at our little clinic, which is situated in a sunday school room at the back of the shelter, a big baptist church hall. We see a little of everything, from rashes to heart attacks. A lot of what we do is to find healthcare resources for these people. It's tough--almost all the doctors from NO have been displaced and the hospitals and pharmacies have been destroyed. We have to recreate a lot of their medical histories from scratch.

We have gotten a lot of support from the local medical community even though they are completely overwhelmed by the influx of people. There are doctors, nurses, dentists and others who just drop in to see if they can help. It is amazing. One day a doctor and his daughter showed up from Cincinnati, and stayed for 4 days, seeing patients. When they left, a pediatrician from Alabama arrived and stayed for another 4 days. This is how it has been. We have been able to have a physician every day for almost the past two weeks, just by having them unexpectedly drop in when we need them. When there are no doctors, we do what we can for them.

There are lots and lots of odd rashes and infections--most likely from exposure to the stuff these people had to wade through. Lots of colds and viral stuff. We keep hoping that we don't get an outbreak of something here, although it is pretty hard to prevent when you have 600 people all living in the same room. We have seen 4 myocardial infarctions in the past week--one had to have a four-vessel bypass. After we get off in the evening we make hospital visits if we have time. The hospitals are overwhelmed too. Short-staffed and overflowing with patients.

I have so much to tell--so many stories, but precious little computer time. I used up my 15 minutes last night venting to a friend in an email about some of the frustrations of being here. I have been doing this for 7 days straight and was a little lonely and homesick. I miss my friends. I was pretty discouraged and wondered how I could do another two weeks of this, but walked out of my own shelter this morning to a beautiful sunrise. I was reminded of something I read by Rufus Wainwright, which I will close with.

All humans realize they are loved
when witnessing the dawn:
early morning is the triumph
of good over evil.
Absolved by light
we decide to go on.



Me, Jennifer the pediatrician, Robin (my partner).

Comments

[felixbunay.livejournal.com]

I'll bet a couple years ago you didn't realize in how many different ways your skillz would be needed.

Which is nice. To be needed.

And in retrospect, too, after you get a little rest.

[mylastsigh.livejournal.com]

peace, brother.

[rosegogh.livejournal.com]

*
Thank you for taking the time to report.

*

[one4k4.livejournal.com]

I a praying for you and for all of everyone involved in this.

Thank you for the updates... :)

[blistermoth.livejournal.com]

*cheers*

[weaktwos.livejournal.com]

That's a lovely passage.
I'm so proud of the work you are doing, and continue to admire your courage, love and generosity.

It is to be expected that you would be homesick, though. I find it somewhat interesting that the city of Baton Rouge (aka Red Stick) was named as such because when the French-Canadian exploration party, they saw a bloody red pole covered with fish and animal heads on a bluff that is now part of Baton Rouge. Of all the assets of an area to which one could pay tribute in Baton Rouge... Why, it just makes returning to Elk Grove that much more peaceful. I suppose it is a blessing that the French Canadians' first visual experience of the area did not involve watching a wild animal relieve himself on a bush.

I think good thoughts of you often! I wish you all the best!

[errantpenny.livejournal.com]

Lovely lyrics -- they made me cry.

Who gives care to the care-givers? I imagine you try to care for each other.

And why's that pediatrician look so damn young! (i.e., -er than me) :)

Thanks for thinking of us. Thanks for the good you do.

[detroitfather.livejournal.com]

God bless you.

Keep up the great work!

[fivecats.livejournal.com]

You're one of the heroes in this adventure.

And while you may not be making all of the difference you know you could be making given all the proper tools and quantity of tools, you're still making a huge difference to those people whose lives you are touching.

Don't give in to dispair. You're doing good work and you're doing important work. Don't ever think otherwise.

...

[pasticcio.livejournal.com]

What an amazing experience!
I've been thinking about you often ... I'm glad you updated.
You look good in the picture.. a little tired, but good! :)
xox

[zhenzhi.livejournal.com]

it's great to see you! :-)
you are doing a wonderful thing.

[luscious-purple.livejournal.com]

I'm sure you're making a wonderful difference in people's lives. I'll bet they will remember your care for the rest of their lives. Thanks for doing it.

[jaiger.livejournal.com]

The pediatrician looks very suprised for some reason.
I'm glad that you can find beauty where ever you are and no matter what you are doing. It's natural to feel down and lonely in these kinds of situations. Don't forget to take care of you as well.

[theodicy.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad to know you that I'm beaming here. And we can use some good news, for sure. Your news is mine. Thank you, thank you.

[theodicy.livejournal.com]

I think she's fighting desperately to stay awake. ;)

[jaiger.livejournal.com]

Fair enough.

[wordweaverlynn.livejournal.com]

Heroes. All of you.

[daisydumont.livejournal.com]

i'm going to clip and keep both the photo (hi, mike! and robin and jennifer!) and the wainwright quote, which i will try to memorize.

beaming out goodwill...

[hussla.livejournal.com]

Well, despite the frustrations, at least Jennifer the pediatrician is purty.

Thanks for the quote. Is that from a song? or just like an interview?

[iamdigitalis.livejournal.com]

God bless you.

[brendamom.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the update. I know there are many of us that look forward to your posts and send you good wishes from far away.

[amicablebitch.livejournal.com]

my best friend is a med student. she lives in baton rouge, but was attending LSU med in new orleans. things are on hold a bit for now, but i think they are transferring the whole setup to baton rouge for the time being. she was working in the shelters as well, i think one over at Southern University, special needs or something. it's great that you are helping out like you are. and i appreciate how you helped me. hopefully i will be back sooner, rather than later.

[pumpkin-pie-m.livejournal.com]

Definitely.

[lavidamd.livejournal.com]

My 1st cousin is a pediatrician in Jackson, MS and I would bet that Cassie and Jennifer are about the same age. Cassie has an infant of her own, yet she is hosting the families of two of her friends. I can hardly imagine....

This picture really means a lot to me. I am pretty sure I could just envision Cassie standing there between you and Robin and the picture would be accurate.

Thank you so much.

[lavidamd.livejournal.com]

I mistakenly wrote that she is a pediatrician. That is incorrect. She is an Ob/Gyn.

[purple7luv.livejournal.com]

God bless you, Mike.
(and i can't think of a more competent angel nurse that I would rather be in the hands of)
Bet you never thought this journey of yours, would take you there. You are a blessing.
♥

[0nmyknervz.livejournal.com]

Hi Mick:
Dennis has electricity again, and he is back to work too. If you get a day off and need some time alone in a quiet air-conditioned house, you are welcome there. He is about an hour away from you, so just give him a call if you want some time away. Be careful and take good care.
~K~