Ruthann has extremely limited computer access so is unable to send many updates. She is going to try to join us tomorrow morning online for worship! Hopefully, we'll get some more information then. I have spoken with her twice by phone and here is what I know:
Ruthann began working the night shift on Tuesday night as soon as she arrived in Haiti. She missed the orientation tour, but got right to work with 17 children. She tries to sleep during the day, but the heat and the planes taking off and landing distract her a bit. She has seen rats and a co-worker had a tarantula on her bag and the mosquitoes swarm constantly. Luckily, she then saw the bats swooping to eat the mosquitoes. (And to think, Ruthann's not really a "camping" type of woman!) Her shower water has already run out and she discovered that Deep Woods Off works great as hair gel. Who knew?
She took pita bread and peanut butter with her to eat, although she has had a few MRE's (Meals, Ready to Eat). One afternoon, she and a couple of her co-workers walked up to the UN tent and bought dinner. Unfortunately, her co-workers contracted some sort of food poisoning from it. Ruthann, however, did not. She's sticking to the MRE's and her pita bread now.
Two nights ago, someone came asking for a pediatric nurse because two mothers were in labor. She went, thinking she would care for the babies, but ending up delivering one of the babies! She said she hadn't done anything like that since nursing school, 25 years ago, but she managed just fine, taking care of both mother and baby. A translator told her the mother named the baby, "Victoria," and Ruthann asked if she could call her "Vicki." The mother replied in English, "Vicki--Yes--Vicki!" So, I have a namesake in Haiti. Later, little Vicki's aunt was singing "How Great Thou Art" to her in Creole. Ruthann joined in the singing in English. What a lucky little girl!
The other baby, Izio, had to be delivered by C-section and was premie. She has since been flown to Miami to a NICU. Her mother had pre-eclampsia, like I did with Eli. Ruthann said the baby tried to die three times the first night, mostly from being cold. They usually call premies "chicken nuggets," but they had to wrap this one in a solar blanket, so Ruthann said she looks more like a ham. That night, Ruthann had to go to the portapotty, which is a ways from the tent. As she rounded a curve, she came across an Army guard who asked if the babies had been born and how they were. Ruthann told him that one was fine but the other was not well. She told him they had run out of blankets and the baby was cold. The soldier told her he'd be right back and went in to get his wool Army blanket to give to the baby. They finally got Izio warmed up and stable enough to evacuate. Izio's mother thanked God and Ruthann for saving her baby. Very cool stuff.
Last night, Ruthann had duty in the adult trauma area. She had two people come in from motor vehicle accidents and one from a stabbing. They had to let two others go off of life support to try to keep these three new ones alive. There's just not enough equipment or bed space so they have to choose which ones to try to save. She said the Haitians seem very at peace about it. God takes them when they are ready, they say. Maybe they have just seen so much death that they are numb. But, it's hard to make the choices over who gets the use of the limited equipment. Yet, the people express so much gratitude.
Ruthann will work again tonight then have off Sunday night and switch to days on Monday. She'll work the rest of her time there on day shift. When we stopped texting last night, little Vicki had gone home, healthy and happy, and little Izio had gone to a NICU where she'll get the help she needs. I've attached pictures of little Vicki and Izio (the little ham) and Ruthann with an adult trauma victim. Also, she sent one of the sunrise over their tent. I know she appreciates your on-going love, prayers, and support!
Peace and love,
Vicki
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