7:24pm Tuesday January 26, 2010

Just talked with Ami. She was very upbeat and excited as they have finally begun treating patients. They did some cases today-washouts, cast changes, etc... They have set up in the orphanage. They are working out of four buildings...2 storage/equipment rooms, one OR with two beds, one cast room, one for the pharmacy, and one for the staff to eat and rest in. Tentative plans are to do some of the larger cases in their OR's and possibly some smaller cases in the mobile units. They plan on having some mass education of pin and wound care for the patients. Supposedly Jay has been heading up the X-ray team...time-consuming, but very necessary and functional! A lot of infections and open wounds are showing up. Two bus-loads of patients just arrived tonight with approximately 40 more patients. Port-a-potties and a well with running water is available so they can now "shower". They did have a lunch with beans and rice today as a few members had to travel back to the hospital in Jimani to pick up a few things so they brought them back some local-type food. They are planning a meeting now to set the schedule and plan out things for tomorrows action-plan. A group from Chicago that has departed left behind some tents so the guys will now be able to use them. They said an occasional...very minor...after-shock can be felt! They are all very optimistic now that they are geting to help the patients. They are actually building a hospital from scratch that will stay there to serve the people for as long as is needed...something I don't think they anticipated doing so they seem very excited and upbeat!!