Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Sorry there was no blog yesterday, but I was just too tired. There is pain and suffering everywhere here, and even our small corner of the medical effort is exceeding capacity. In four days we have now had 877 patient visits; the number is even more amazing given the fact that many are quite ill and require significant time from one or more of the physicians here. The acute injury phase is nearly over, but now we are seeing the previously neglected and ignored: children with no families, the elderly with “minor” injuries (although major to them given their health status), and chronic illness.
Also, infectious disease is becoming more visible. Today a gentleman came in complaining of white urine and fever; he had been treated for Typhus without improvement. I realized the description of his urine was due to proteinuria, and made the (correct) diagnosis of malaria. His antibiotics have been changed.
I toured some of Port au Prince today, and saw the degree of devastation of the buildings. Most are unsafe if not rubble, and people are everywhere in large tents in the streets. They are going to have to level most of the buildings and start from scratch, a tremendous and depressing undertaking. Nevertheless, the city is beginning to come alive again. There are small signs: the merchants selling stuff on the streets, a basketball game in a rubble filled courtyard, small amounts of food being cooked over open fires.
It is amazing, at times overwhelming, but definitely a fulfilling experience. Everyone here, including me, is rapidly becoming burnt out. Nine days is about right, before a fresh set of personnel are needed. I am now sleeping routinely on the roof. I don’t think I can convey to those who have not experienced it exactly how beautiful it is to hear a city singing itself to sleep.
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Thursday, February 4, 2010
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