My Mission Trip to Haiti: Part One: The Dream

Ever since I became a nurse I dreamt about going on a medical mission and caring for people in need.

About a month ago, my friend Denise told me about a group of nurses from Maine Medical Center in Bangor, Maine (Denise graduated nursing school with the trip leader)  that were planning a medical mission to Haiti and I thought this was finally my chance. Luckily, they had room for one more, me, so I am going on a medical mission to Haiti in January, 2016.

Am I nervous? A little.

Am I excited? Terribly so.

A million things come to mind….the practical like clean water and good food (I think I will bring my own almonds). Safety (That’s a concern no matter where you go…but I’ll leave my jewelry at home anyway)……The touchy-feely good stuff (the chance to help others). I don’t speak French, just a few words, and even less Creole, but caring and the touch of a human hand is universal.

Next thing is to make the dream come true.

I set up a Go Fund Me page to ask for help with some of the costs involved. The group estimated our costs to be approximately $1200….flights, ground transport, translators, food, and lodging.

I also thought I could have a yard sale or two (yes, I have that much stuff, lots of vintage and antiques) and use the profits from my Miss Eileen’s Vintage Shop on Etsy, too. Maybe bake and sell cookies, spaghetti supper….hmmm, you never know.

Lots to think about….lots to do. Wish me luck.

The Moment of Silence

There are somethings I do at my job that on a list of things I like from 1-10  (with 1 being EWWW and 10 being YIPPEE) are on the 1 end of the scale. Carrying the code pager is one of them. After 20+ years...OK...30+ years in nursing I got over the adrenalin rush/excitement of running to a code. No fun, I'd rather not, but I carry the pager when it is my turn and silently pray all day that there won't be a code, that everyone will be safe, that all the ugly stuff will be recognized long before the code situation arises, and if there is a code I will know immediately what to do and do it well. The pager is clipped to my neckband hanging heavily to remind me that someone's life depends on my hearing the pager and answering it as fast as possible. No bragging here; it's what I do. 

The other day it was my turn to carry the pager. Most of the day it was quiet. We had one patient who went for a procedure that could go bad. The man knew the risks and signed the consent anyway. Maybe he felt he didn't have too many options....It could work and he would be OK...or it wouldn't and the battle he was fighting would be over in an instant. I don't know. I know his nurse was worried when he left. 

I was eating lunch when the pager went off. I quickly put the lid back on my dish and ran meeting his nurse on the way. "I'll go," he said. "He's my patient." I felt relieved (it's not my favorite thing to do) and understood his reason for going. If it was my patient I would have gone, too. Our patients become a part of us, even our grumpy ones. I often think about them when I am home. Sometimes I visit them after they transfer out of the unit. I check to see if they are still in the hospital. Not being nosy...just because I care and I can't turn off the caring part. Someone once told me you have to leave your work behind to survive in this business. Sorry, it doesn't work that way. 

Without going into details the man didn't make it. The unit was silent when we heard the news and stayed that way for a minute or two while we thought about the man, his family, and his choice. Miraculously, not a beeper beeped, not alarm sounded, and not a person spoke during that moment of silence.

 If the beepers or alarms sounded I didn't hear them. That silent moment was his...

Post by Eileen Patterson

Eucerin Give Away: Take the Pledge and Be Good to Your Skin:

You know I have to do this. You know, nursing advice. It is my job, my lot in life to share information important for your health.
This weekend I went fishing. I love to fish. I put on my sun block and still fried….to a crisp…red as a tomato…sore as hell. I even brought along a shirt to cover up from the rays. Thank goodness I did. Imagine if I didn’t. So, here’s the nursing advice.
I won’t say “Don’t do that.” Let’s be real. What’s the alternative? Stay inside? Not an option at least not one acceptable to me. So here’s some realistic advice.
Use sunscreen. Reapply (my oops). Take along a cover-up. Wear cover-up (another oops). Shade would be good, too (red faced and embarrassed now). It is easier (and more comfortable) to prevent a burn than to deal with the after effects. Once burned, keep the area moisturized and cool. Aloe gel is good.
Did you know that if you use sunscreen you are interfering with your body from getting Vitamin D? True. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, “Our bodies manufacture Vitamin D when the sun’s ultraviolet B (UVB) rays interact with 7-dehydrocholesterol (7-DHC) present in the skin.”  Don’t want to fry to get Vitamin D? Eat foods enriched with nutrients (several cereals fall into this category). Drink some milk (though you would have to drink lots to get a little). Another option is to take calcium supplements with D.
On a daily basis, use a moisturizer with SPF. Less wrinkles and sun protection….always a good thing. Oil of Olay is a good option. Another one is Eucerin. The Eucerin people are giving away stuff, too. Always a good thing. Just click the link and take the pledge….then get a freebie. So sweet, and free is for me. You can “Like” Eucerin on Facebook, too. That easy.