The last day of clinic as always was bittersweet. We had a mobile clinic in Arcahaie or "Flag Town". It was here that Catherine Flon made the Haitian flag in 1803. Every May 18th, Flag Day is celebrated and people flock here to celebrate the nation and show pride in their flag. A year later, in 1804, on January 1st, Haiti declared its independence from France. Of course, the French took 20 years or so to recognize this formerly, but better late than never! The clinic took place in a church compound with a school. Shortly after our arrival, recess started. We had quite the audience during recess and again after school let out. We were able to give some of the kids small toys the team had brought. The clinic went smoothly again. We returned to the fixed clinic in the afternoon to help and then went to Dr. Vlad and Dr. Merline's house to celebrate 3 special occasions per Merline.
On our arrival we were greeted with warm Prestige (a Haitian lager beer) because the storm had knocked out the power. I still would put Prestige up against any American domestic lager warm or cold, and Prestige would come out on top. Soon after, Poppa Milien (Merline and Francise's dad), cut open fresh coconut for us. We all were able to enjoy a nice drink of coconut milk, a natural laxative as Kristin pointed out. I guess traveling home tomorrow may be more interesting knowing that. As the party started, Dr. Vlad brought two new travelers from the airport. Dr. Bruce a physician from Kentucky, who lives near Harlan County (shout out to Raylan Givens) was accompanied by Corey Peters a defensive tackle for the Atlanta Falcons. He was making his first trip to see the country and learn more about ways he could help. It was interesting to see a 6'5" 300 pound football player next to Momma Milien who maybe is 4'10". Never know what or who you will see in Haiti. Dinner was a traditional Haitian meal with goat, fish, chicken, rice, bean, slaw, and fruit. After dinner we were treated with three different cakes. One was to celebrate Dr. Francise's birthday, one to celebrate Mama Milien's birthday and one for my birthday and 15th trip to the country. They made mine rum raisin; not sure how to take that. It was delicious in any case. We said our goodbyes and came back home to pack and relax before our long travel day tomorrow.
I couldn't be prouder of this team. As always Lori was my rock and patient seeing sidekick. I can't imagine coming down here without her, it just wouldn't be the same. Marcie and Kristin were excellent here. Today we had a older Haitian woman that had vomited and passed out. Per their training, they had an IV in her and fluids hanging in no time. She felt much better and walked out under her own power. They were indispensable and I hope their time here leaves then fulfilled and with a love for this country. Whether they ever come back they will have to discern for themselves but I hope the experience stays with them and they look back on it fondly.
As for me, I feel my batteries reenergized. The trips here are not entirely altruistic. I need them as much as the Haitian people need us. When my compassion levels drop I can think about our time here and feel the work we do is worthwhile in the US even though we don't see the same results. Nor do we have the same sense of satisfaction working in the US that you do here. Each and every day seeing patients in Haiti you can finish satisfied that you touched at least one life, in our fast food medicine mentality in the US, many days go by before you may have the same feeling.
Enough of a diatribe, we all have a lot of packing to do. I will close this blog and this trip by saying:
Bondye do ou, fe pa ou, M a fe pa M. Men anpil chay pa lou.
