Last week here...

I began the last week here working closely with a good friend of mine from the states who came to visit and spend some time in the clinic. We saw tons of patients, he assisted on a few births and even caught his first baby! It was so awesome to have someone from home here, it made for an amazing start to what will probably be a very busy and very sad week..though I am beyond excited to see my family and friends at home who I have not seen in over 8 months! I have been taking full advantage of the fact that we got our car back and we have made a trip to the beach the last two weekends-talk about relaxation! The beach is one of the most beautiful I have seen and the fresh seafood 'caught to order' has me wondering what I need to do to make living on the beach a reality :)

Dr. Yves and Sarah with his first "catch".

 Santo our head translator and all around helpful guy graduated from the Community Health Worker program last weekend. He was the class valedictorian and I am so proud of the work he did and will continue to do for Mama Baby Haiti. He gave a great speech and we were happy to be able to support him as the staff here is definitely our family!

Congrats Santo! At the Community Health Worker Graduation.

All smiles at the beach!

It has also been very sad for me to have to tell my patients I will not be here any longer as the responses have been overwhelmingly positive...only the best wishes for my future plans, thankfulness for the treatments I have given and the results they have achieved, and gifts I never imagined would make me feel so overjoyed at this opportunity I have had here. Last week, Jacques brought me some more plantains, I got some homemade 'dulce' (Haitian sweet peanut goodness), a hat, a bag of oranges, and the best compliment ever, "after God, comes you doctor". Now, I certainly don't think that I deserve these kind words and generous gifts but there is really nothing like feeling truly appreciated along with knowing that you have been able to do something you love while making a real difference in the lives of others. Words cannot describe the feeling.

I have learned so much here, not only about being a doctor but about the Haitian culture, people and language. I know I will be back very soon and hopefully I can reconnect with many of my patients even if it is just to say hello and tell them how much they have affected my life as well.

I spent many visits pleading with this mama to stop feeding her baby sugary drinks as she is malnourished and failed to gain weight, at the last visit she met her goal weight and mama said, "I remembered what you said about the juice and I stopped giving it to her and look how big she got!" 

A sweet grandma and baby Biendie who graduated from the Medika Mamba program last week!