Going to Haiti...

Last Monday, February 8th, an email was sent out by one of our physicians, calling for volunteers to go to Haiti. As soon as I saw this email, I knew I needed to go...

That afternoon, I was sitting in the CCHD (Coconino County Health Department) waiting for my immunizations for International Travel... HepA, Typhoid, Polio, and TdaP...

It wasn't until Wednesday that I was told I was one that was selected to go...

Preparation prepares oneself! This past week has been spent preparing! Buying the little things, luggage bags capable of carrying 50# each (not that I will take more than 30# of personal stuff, I need to have room for needed supplies, equipment, medicines, and surgical instruments), OTC medicines, prescriptions for Chloroquine (anti-malarial), and Cipro (just in case kind of antibiotic for a number of things)... clothing that can be worn once and left, etc.

So here I am less than 5 days from departure and I am in a "nervously excited" emotional stage... I am sure it will trend a little more towards the fear side before I leave... after all, I am about to go to a Third World Country that had nothing before this disaster... now they have even less than nothing!

It has been more than a month, the TV Cameras are looking elsewhere, yet the need has grown more desperate. In fact the need and danger grows together! Disease as a result of such devastation will continue to grow as a risk, even beyond the things that I can prepare for and vaccinate against....

This is a feeble attempt by a few individuals to attempt to impact the lives of a few people. Will we make a difference? Probably not in the grand scheme of things... but we will make a difference for a few people... and that, is all that matters!

I ask for your prayers, that the things we do will help those that need it the most. Pray that we will be able to do the things that need to be done. Pray that we will be able to help at least one person. Pray that no matter what our sacrifices are, they impact as many people as possible. Pray that all of us that are going, does what each of us needs to do, at the time we need to do it, when it needs to be done, and without reservation.

I do not know if I will be able to update this blog... but if I am, I will. I will also try to post pics if able.

Stay tuned.....