Wednesday

Yesterday was another busy and productive day.  No mobile unit sent out so we  had our full team here except for a couple of our surgeons and nurses whom we  sent down do the hospital where they did some of the larger cases.  All told, we  treated well over 200 people. Everything from amputations to anxiety. Still lots  of wound care. Broken bones, broken spirits. Asthma. Childbirths. Bowel  obstructions, malaria, typhoid. I could go on and on. The stories I have  transcend my ability to send them through my thumbs to my blackberry.  Every  moment of every day here has been a story, vivid and fascinating and significant  to the greater story of why I'm here.  Eleven of our team shipped out yesterday (Wednesday), leaving us with just 18.  Many more will leave camp for Port-au-Prince later today, making room for  replacement help who will be arriving.  Just a few of us (not me) will lag back  to connect with that team and give them the inservice of their lives!  I am  spending a fair amount of time on doing things that will make this and future  transitions smooth. This is important.  One of the most exciting things that happened yesterday was the arrival of about  15 Navy troops with a large truck full of medical supplies that we had asked if  they had and could give us. I'm guessing 30 LARGE boxes of medications,  instruments, bandages, etc.  We spend a long time last night just opening and  organizing.  Tremors still occurring.  Last one just 30 minutes ago. There is another tremor  happening now, this one in my stomach.  Must be time for breakfast.  It will  consist of either oatmeal, bananas, and peanut butter.  And the thickest, blackest, best-tasting coffee you can imagine.  I look forward to getting home  Steve