IED’s in Haiti? Really?
So Travis and I are in the back seat of a Toyota Hi-Lux yesterday, bombing down to road on our way to Verette to check out a new CTC that needs some whipping into shape. We’re talking about snowboarding, trauma medicine, cholera treatment protocols, girls, all sorts of random stuff. Probably doing about 60 miles an hour- which is nuts, because if you see how people drive down here, no traffic laws, cargo trucks, tap-taps, motorbikes, all going at different speeds in different directions…BOOOOM!!!!! Travis immediately starts laughing, because I’ve somehow jumped into his lap and pulled my arms and legs in like I still wear body armor (it’s called turtling, it’s pretty funny to watch, I must admit) and am already asking what the hell just happened, all in the matter of about half a second. After about 2 full seconds, I realize I’m in Haiti, where the roads don’t explode, and I think it’s just a blown tire, so I tell the driver to pull over. I get out, walk around the truck and realize the tires are all still full, and start scratching at my beard, because now I’m really perplexed. So is everyone else- until I walk around to see if we hit something with the front bumper.
Right smack in the middle of the grille, still lodged where it hit, is a rock. Not just any rock. I mean, this thing is the size of a child’s head- I pull it out of the grille and realize it weighs about 10 freakin’ pounds. Really? About 2 feet higher and that thing would have drilled through the windshield, passed between Travis and I and exited out the rear window- which would have really made me crap my pants. I guess it got kicked up by a truck somehow, but I think it might have been a deliberate attack. Not really, but it had me laughing at myself pretty hard- it was a great way to start the day.
We got to the CTC in Verette, and there were about 25 patients there, most of which were incorrectly triaged and not being treated with ORS, which is the most important aspect of Cholera treatment because it restores glucose, potassium, sodium and chloride in levels that a Lactate Ringer IV just doesn’t have. So we set about checking patient charts, vitals, instructing the nurses on their protocols for giving ORS and triaging patients, etc. It turned out to be a very hectic, but very productive day. We worked right through lunch, and at 1406, the second IED of the day went off.
An elderly man was brought in on a wooden door being used as a stretcher, and was wrapped in a sheet that was tied down to keep him from sliding off as his neighbors carried him 5 HOURS down from his village to get to us. I looked out the entrance of the tent I was in as they brought him in and I honestly thought he was already dead, but the guys that were carrying him made such a ruckus as they were yelling for a doctor that he woke up and started to move a little bit. I was tremendously relieved- I have yet to see a patient die from Cholera so far, and I really didn’t want to have to deal with that right then- it would’ve made an already hot, sweltering day all that more soul-crushing.
So Travis and I rush outside, already putting gloves on because we know we’re gonna have to get an IV started immediately. We briefly discuss how we want to carry him to the nearest open bed, which is about 20 yards away, and Travis instinctively goes to grab the man’s legs, and I cross his arms, reach under his armpits to grab his wrists like I was taught, and we start to carry him to the bed. About halfway there the man’s eyes open up, and he starts puking up enough rice and water to feed a family of 4- I guess his friends had decided to stop and feed him right before bringing him to the clinic. Thanks guys. That was spectacular. Just what I wanted- cholera vomit all over my hands, and down the front of my pants.
Hunt gets a chlorine bath after getting puked on while carrying a cholera patient into the CTC to get a line started
Anyways, we got a line started on him, and I was able to go outside and get cleaned up. I had the community health worker in charge of hygiene spray me from head to toe with a sprayer full of chlorine solution to completely disinfect me- I’m not taking any chances with this little bug. I spent the rest of the day looking and smelling like I had just swam the 50 M freestyle in a pool that had just been shocked, my pants are now about 4 shades lighter because of all that bleach. At the end of the day, Travis came over to me with a grin on his face and asked me a funny question- So as a medic, which end do you always go for? I thought about it for a second because it was kinda out of left field. The feet, I answered quizzically? His goes from grinning to doubled-over laughing as he says YEP!! What a jerk. Well, lesson learned- always grab the feet.
P.S.- We went back to Verette today and I immediately went to check and see if the man was still there, because I was worried he might have passed on. I saw him propped up on his elbow with an IV still in his arm and went to check his vitals. He’s doing well- a strong pulse, little to no skin turger, and his eyes have returned from deep inside his sockets to where they should normally. I think I saw him smile as I walked over to him- he must think it’s funny that he puked all over me.
Filed under: Haiti, News, Personal Reflections, Photos by William on January 29, 2011
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We headed over to a nice restaurant outside of Les Cayes and had a few beers…. then later an awesome dinner. This is how “TR south” unwinds….
In reality, our TR ladies have put forth a 100% effort in every task thrown there way. Bar none the best. Can you tell I am proud??? 
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