After gathering up my courage and few remaining medical supplies in my backpack I slowly headed out the door. A bit later than Friday but the same path-down the road, through the whole in the wall, through the 40,000 folks camped on the nearby college campus, down the road a bit to the hospital.
As I walked up to the table where I could pick up the prescription pad and white paper for charting the atmosphere mirrored the day before. But wait- I see a difference. A white doctor and young lady weaved their way through the crowds, followed by their own smaller crowd looking for help. Later I met the doctor from Canada who arrived via the DR border. He did not appreciated the customs folks at the boarder, not the lack of apparent organization surrounding him. On and off I'd see him through out the day, shaking his head in disbelief over some situation.
Just behind the table with the paperwork, next to the blue tarp wall of surgery I noticed Jewel. Surely her proximity to the surgery meant that she would soon received the life saving surgery she so desperately needed. Unfortunately the IV from yesterday no longer worked. I settled myself down by her head and again endured with her the multiple attempts to place an IV in her foot.
Pain drove out the fact that these folks were attempting to save her life. No More she'd beg with tears streaming down her cheeks, into her ears. The long and painful night drained away her energy and I could not coax a song from her. I softly sang into her ear-Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world. Finally after a bit of talk about her friend Mr. O, the IV team abandoned her feet and moved to her arm inches above the gangrenous hand. My prayers had be come more fervent with each failed attempt. Finally the IV fluid ran freely into her small arm.
Because of her position as third in line for surgery she was not to eat or drink. I gave her dad a peppermint for later. We gently moved her into the shade-doing everything possible to protect her IV site. Throughout the long day I'd periodically escape from the crowds to the relative quiet of the pre-operation area. I cannot imagine the pain from just laying on hard cement for 6 hours let alone with her injuries.
Late in the afternoon I visited her one more time. I prayed. I told her to have courage. I did not have the strength to look her in the eye and say good-bye. I knew that if I did not return I'd likely never hear about her again.
I did not return to Diquini again. By the time I left late Saturday afternoon more and more groups of assistance were arriving. Sunday morning I finally connected with the Wesleyans and received a ride to join them.
Monday morning we drove to join with the first group of medical volunteers from the USA. We met at a warehouse just a block up from the Diquni hospital. There I fortuitously saw the young lady who accompanied the Canadian doctor. I had to ask about my buddy. YES!! She had finally received the surgery she needed. While I realize that she still has many risks and problems to deal with in life she survived first the earthquake and then the wait to get definite medical care. Many had not made it this far.
I asked the lady to express my greetings to Jewel the next time she saw her. I continue to pray for Jewel and the many hurting Haitian children that she represents.
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