TR Winds Down
Disaster Relief Organization & Support Squad | Team Rubicon
Day 3 Reflection from Combat Marine Veteran Clay Hunt
The view is always better from above…
Today, Team Rubicon’s northern element returned to Gonaive from the rugged, rural terrain that they have been working in for the last few days, and descended through the mountains that they trekked through just a few days before. It is a 3 and ½ hour trip between Saint-Michele and Gonaive, and it is some of the most beautiful country these eyes have ever seen. It’s also impossible to make the trip in anything but a stout 4×4, and the road there and back will jar just about anything loose, including your thoughts.
A year ago today, I left Port Au Prince in a helicopter with Jake and Doc Griz, after the birth of Team Rubicon and the most exhausting and exhilarating week of my life. I remember looking down as we waved goodbye to Brother Jim and Mark Hayward, banking east and seeing nothing but devastation below as we flew over the city on our way to the D.R. I also remember wondering if there was any hope for the Haitian people, and what the place would look like if I ever returned. Well, a year has passed and I have had the opportunity to return twice already, and to have those questions answered for me. Hope is all around me, and it’s on the face of everyone I see as we pass them on the road. The air is filled with the noisy hustle of streetside markets, and commerce as trucks fly by loaded down with equipment and supplies. There is also still rubble everywhere, and a nasty little bug named Cholera floating around.
We’ve spent the last three days trying to squash that bug, and doing a pretty good job at it. The CTC in Saint Michele is now running more efficiently and the local doctors are able to be more effective. Due to our input, the center is about to be quarantined better with a higher wall of plastic sheeting, that will cut down on cross-contamination. The triage and treatment protocols will be revised and will help conserve resources, and help to better identify how aggressively a patient needs to be treated. We’ve helped to better train the local nurses, and shown them some easy little tricks that can save lives (possibly their own). I feel like we accomplished our mission there, which is always cool. And I feel like the mission is going to continue once our new members return home- which makes me want to run around in circles and do backflips like a 5 year old at the pool.
I just got done eating dinner with the other guys, and we talked about what we’ve done the last few days, and what we want to do for the next week with the IMC here. But we also talked about what we’re going to do when we get home and get “sorted out”, or decompress for a bit. The stuff I heard from these three men was pretty sweet. Dr Ogles, who is a family practitioner from west Alabama was cracking jokes left and right as usual, but something else came out for a second. He said “Ya know- doin this kinda stuff gives you more of a heart; more compassion. But it works both ways- It makes you more grateful for what you’ve got. I’m gonna have a different reaction next time someone comes to me whinin’ or complaining about something silly. I’m gonna be like well, you’ve got something to eat today, right? Well then what are you complaining about?” which was immediately followed by his hearty southern chuckle that keeps us laughing along with him all the time.
Travis Rohde, a Paramedic from Denver, Colorado was talking about a conversation he had with one of the IMC staff earlier this week, where they discussed setting up an EMS service in the rural areas (via donkey-carts; yep, you heard that right) and was glad to be back in Haiti- he came down with fellow TR member Dan Fong last March. “It feels good being back here… I’ll definitely come back here again and help teach EMS practices if I can, that would be awesome.” Travis’ unflappable coolness and critical thinking has been a great help this week, and he has been a great teacher to the Haitian staff at the CTC.
The quote that has stuck out to me the most so far was during a conversation I had last night with Bryan, as we sat outside and tossed back a couple Prestige’s. We were talking about all sorts of stuff, and he was telling me that a lot of people back home thought he was nuts, or foolish to come down here to Haiti. But as he was talking to his Grandfather who he said was the biggest role model and mentor he’s had during his life, he said “ he looked at me and called me son, which he’s never done before, and he said ‘Son, I’m so very proud of you and what you’re doing’ and you know that just means the world to me.” Tonight as we stood outside after dinner, he said something else that’ll stick with me, because it’s exactly how I feel. He said “Man, I haven’t had a single moment of anxiety or sadness while I’ve been down here, even though I’m surrounded by it at the CTC. I really wish I could share that feeling I’ve had with others, you know?” Well, be careful what you wish for Bryan haha- there’s thing called the internet hahaha….
Getting to know these 3, and our new Haitian friends Havertin, Fito, and Moise has been awesome, and getting to see their compassion and willingness to serve has been even sweeter. We’ll all go back home at the end of next week (minus myself, I’ll be here until March), but we’ll go back more aware of the world around us, and with lessons learned here that we can use to help those in our own communities- and that makes me want to do backflips. That’s what keeps me coming back for more, and why Team Rubicon’s missions are so important both at home and in the field- we get to change the world for the better, and in the process we do the same for ourselves…
Well, that’s it- I’m Clay Hunt, and you Stay Classy, TR nation…
Pics of a possible oral rehydration point and random scenery
Young Girl at CTC in Saint-Michele
TR Paramedic Travis Rohde works alongside a Haitian nurse in the Saint-Michele CTC to stabilize and treat a young girl who has just arrived.
Day 3 Update from Sam Chapetta
Today I set out with the IMC wash and sanitation manager to check up on an ORP. This morning we trekked out to yet little known treasure of a town called Saint Jean Du Sud. I was amazed yet again at the beautiful surroundings that unfolded before my eyes. Here at the ORP, there was a cholera patient…. a young boy 12 years of age. I immediately opened and mixed a couple packets of Drip Drop gave it to the lil man. After the poor guy drank the large bottle of Drip Drop, he laid backed down to rest with eyes rolled back into his head…. Trying to hold it together, I had to leave the tent and take a walk. After about two hours later and checking up on him at least 1000 times, the little guy seemed to appear more lively. I immediately had the nurse call for an ambulance to take him down to the CTC in Les Cayes to receive further medical attention. Luckily in this town, there has been a minimal cholera outbreak with 28 cases and zero deaths. I am hoping that our combined efforts with the IMC will help keep these numbers low. Today has been a great day so far!!!!!!!!!
Traveling to another ORP in ten. Keep ya’ll posted.
Day 2 Update from TR Security Element Sam Chapetta
Today Team Rubicon’s southern team seemed to have a pretty eventful day while working with the IMC. Dr. Madiha Nabi and EMT Charissa Richardson treated and tended to a large number of patients early in the morning while John and I worked on the logistics of installing new water pumps at the new CTC. John tapped into some personal resources and was able to have TWO donated to us by GOULDS PUMPS! John has proven to be an asset for TR. His background in water filtration and experience with GOULDS PUMPS helped him devise a plan with the logistics coordinator from IMC. Later, as Dr. Nabi and I were leaving the CTC, a young man came into the hospital with a deep cut in his heal. He was asked to wait as blood poured down his leg. The Doc and I looked at each other and said, “No way is he gonna wait”. We cleared out a space and cleaned the wound. Not having the proper equipment, Dr. Nabi was still able to properly apply a suture to the wound. Dr. Nabi turns to me with a sheepish grin and says, ” I didn’t even have the proper tools and I was still able to make it work….” Personally, I think she was bragging at her “awesomeness”. Charissa finished up the job with a tetanus shot to the man’s arm. As sick as this may sound, I think we had a good time sewing the young lad up. We finished the day off with another recon for the location of another ORP (oral rehydration Point). Tomorrow, I will be heading out to recon more locations for ORPs and distribute some of Dr. Dolhun’s Drip Drop. Should make for an eventful day.
Sam Chapetta
TR’s Dr. Madiha Nabi at the CTC
Team Rubicon’s Dr. Madiha Nabi treating a baby that was just admitted to the CTC. Only one patient was released on good health today. More patients expected today. Will update with more stats by days end….
EMT Charissa Richards and Dr. Madiha Nabi
EMT Charissa Richards and Dr. Madiha Nabi gathering information on patient flow.
Day 2 Update from Clay Hunt
TR Paramedic Brian Shaw posting new guidelines at the entrance of the Saint-Michele CTC during tonights evening shift. We are doing everything we can to improve sanitation at the clinic and to educate the local populace on what Cholera is, how it is spread, and how it can be prevented. Our main focus today was on preventing cross-contamination between the 3 areas of the clinic, and especially between ill patients and their families. The family members come to bring food and clean clothes for their loved ones, and to take the dishes, soiled clothes and linens to be washed outside the clinic- which can transmit the disease to others. Now, all of the dishes are washed and disinfected inside the clinic before leaving the CTC. Additionally, the linens and clothes, as well as the family members carrying them, are being sprayed with a disinfectant Chlorine solution before being allowed to leave. This is all being done by the local volunteers who have been working here since the outbreak- the family members are very receptive and are learning quickly- a very good sign! Dr. Ogles, Brian Shaw, and Travis Rohde are continuing to make rounds, assess patients, and triage and admit new Cholera cases- there were 4 less today than there were yesterday. Tomorrow we will return to the CTC to meet with the IMC doctors and staff, and might be pushing out to establish a new Oral Rehydration Point in a remote area that has seen a spike in cases. We’ll see what happens once our roosters wake us up in a few hours…
TRs Dr. Alan Ogles Treating Cholera Victims
Team Rubicon’s Dr. Alan Ogles speaking with a new patient, a young boy from a village about 10 miles away, trying to find out how many people there are sick. Our translator, Hevertin, has been outstanding- he speaks English, French, Creole, and some Spanish, which he learned at school in Port Au Prince.
Dr Alan Ogles reassessing a young boy who was brought to the clinic earlier today, who’s father is being treated in the bed next to him- they both have cholera. The father has made a significant improvement today, and is now able to drink Drip Drop slowly and is still receiving IV fluids as well. The boy is receiving IV fluids and is doing well- they are both expected to be discharged tomorrow morning.
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