Jessica's Travels . . .

Why donate your time and/or money to Haiti?

2010-02-22T14:17:00.000-08:00

...because you can make a difference.

Items that you throw away can be used. Blankets that have a huge rip down, multiple small tears, stained, wash them and donate. Families of all sizes are at the point where they have nothing to cover themselves with, clothes they have been wearing since January all stained and soiled.

I am going to be collecting items that my coworkers can help deliver to the people on their mission to Haiti. We (AGH SEIU) would like to collect items such as old or new, tents, sheets, blankets, sleeping bags, coats, jackets, socks, underwear, shoes, tshirts, tank tops, sweat shirts, sweatpants, jeans, shorts, soap, toiletries, food, formula, pedialyte, diapers, wipes, towels, feminine products, bags, eye glasses (perscription/non) and of course first aid kits.

Of those people who are fortunate to donate money and or medical supplies we will absolutely accept! Money donations will go to the supplies listed (most likely collected from thrift/second hand shops/stores due to ability to purchase more) and to purchase medical supplies such as (and if available) tube feedings (ensure), pads/chucks, IV tubing, IV solutions, creams, meds, gauze, ace bandages, blood pressure machines, thermometers, alcohol swabs, flushes,- just to name a few.

Everyday at work just by looking at nonspecific supplies it reminds me of those in Haiti. It seems so insignificant to us in the U.S. to throw away extra alcohol swabs, tubing from IVs, IV solutions, and tube feedings and what an impact it would make in Haiti at this time. I know Project Medishare has a lot of supplies and great people who donate but they need more.

Hopefully the volunteers can help to try to get the supplies out to the people of the city. As we collect supplies here and create the travel/donate bags we will be striving to get the supplies to where they are truly needed.

If you have seen from my prior posts of pictures, people are sleeping on cardboard boxes, their homes are made out of a torn sheet, they are filling up buckets for water, and are walking barefoot. Do your part- can't go to Haiti? No problem, donate your time. Communicate with your friends and neighbors about collecting supplies and money, contact me to find out where you can bring the donations, I will even meet you to get them. Let's send our volunteers off with supplies for the people (and themselves) so they can fulfull their mission and be successful. As the phrase seems to have stuck in the U.S. ("YES WE CAN") applies in this situation; Yes, we can make a difference and it starts with you.

Newest Article

2010-02-21T17:56:00.000-08:00

Go to http://www.westminster.edu/student/publications.cfm, on the right side of the page click on the down arrow under "view past editions of the Holcad from this school year", choose 2-19-10, download the paper.

Pictures of my Haiti Experience

2010-02-15T05:39:00.000-08:00

Hi all-

Here are a large number of pictures for you to view on Snapfish. I believe you have to sign up (create a name and password) to view, but it is free.

Any problems let me know, I made a default viewing login. I'll send it if you need it.

Thanks!

Jess

_copy and paste into the URL_

http://www5.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=1060611026/a=2210318028_2166377026/

Funny innovative ideas!

2010-02-10T18:21:00.000-08:00

Thought I would take a minute from blog stories and give you some insight to how innovative all of us have become... just remember we are limited so anything is game! (once I get pics up you will be able to visualize better).
There are TONS of flies and mosquitos and bugs everywhere. To stop them from invading our patients wounds, mouths, any/all orifices including oral tubes with help of our Army Medic and our Respiratory Therapist Mike, we were able to gather mosquito nets around the compound to cover the patients. Some were the traditional, others were green nets that covered the face only- It worked!
A doctors lab coat: restraints were made with the arms of the coat **restraints are used when the patient is too active for their own safety and attempts to pull out chest tubes including airways!
Also used as tourniquets, washrags, and chucks *like a diaper.
A sandwich baggie to cover a stoma (after a procedure that connects the colon to the abdominal wall (feces leaves the body through the abdomen)) -it keeps the stoma clean, away from infection and provides proper disposal of feces.
A foley catheter- usually inserted into the bladder to drain urine we used it as a chest tube to evacuate blood (hemothorax) that accumulated in the chest that causes problems with the lungs promotes the lungs to regain normal function/expansion.
A old milk gallon jug- to create a chest tube to water seal.
Notebook paper: charts!
Kerlix gauze: trach ties, restraints
Marine heat foil: a blanket
MREs: Army meals ready to eat: newborn baby warmers
.... that's all for now :)

This is where I worked- The patient most recently found

2010-02-09T15:45:00.000-08:00

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/02/08/haiti.rescue/index.html?hpt=T2

After my last shift in haiti

2010-02-09T15:09:00.000-08:00

Last night in haiti.

Really sad that I wish I could stay much, much longer. If I didn't have all the bills I do now I would commit to months, honestly. These people need help. Not only medically but they need to learn how to care for themselves rather than letting Americans, or anyone for that matter take care of them. I've learned that through these people- and its spoken from their own mouths. Talking to the translators, transporters and our drivers they have shown me there is the will to make better but they need the help to get the drive to be successful, and we are trying to do just that.
I was talking with a boy who drove some of us to the UN compund for dinner friday night- the place is packed but he saw me and went to find me a chair to sit with him. I sat down, he takes my picture- immediately, he wants to know where I'm from, what kind of work I do and every minute he is smiling. He then shows me my picture and continues to show me all his pictures on his camera of every volunteer at Project Medishare that has impacted his life. He goes on and shows me haiti before and after the earthquake, I see his truly beautiful house with large, stone cylindar posts in the front, and him standing there surrounded by beautiful bright pink flower bushes. And then I see a picture a few photos later of various stone piles, rubble and trash all mixed together and a upside-down 4x4 jeep crushed and flattened. This was the after photo of his home and one of his 3 cars that were all crushed, torn and totaled within minutes and taken away from him and his family. Inside his house was his cousin.
He was so humbled and so absorbed in faith that god will have an answer for him that he expressed a true acceptance for what has happened and is focused on the future. And he is still smiling when he tells me he lives on the street. And he is okay.

This boy is so mature and smart and works hard everyday serving the people who volunteer with medishare. With every dollar he earns as a tip he buys something for someone else who needs the help. Reminds me of the saying, pay it forward.

He will be taking me and 5 other of my friends that I've made here out tomorrow morning for a final tour of the city. His car is not working but as he told me tonight, I will rent a car for you- ill make time to take you out. Don't worry he will be taken care of by us all very generously.

I've enjoyed my experience beyond any expectation I ever could have dreamed. I worked ICU,OR and with sometimes 5 critical patients between myself and another nurse we did great. We were our own pharmacy, mixed our medications, figured out drip rates (no pumps), we were our own blood bank and did the type and screens for all units, and so much more. Today I trained an army medic today so he can help out for the next few months. We are using anyone who has the drive to want to learn and wants to do good- that's all it takes.

I've learned to improvise with what's available; an old lab coat for bed chucks, bandages, tourniquttes, wash rags, linen. Using a sandwich baggie to create a clean and covered colostomy- so many creative and innovative ideas we had were useful and effective.

________

I am happy to say I was a part of this mission. These are experiences I can write down- but you will truly never, ever understand. Some things will be left out of my stories, others you will be able to imagine. Going back to a industrialized nation where every and anything is at my fingertips will be a large adjustment and I think part of me will always compare to the people of haiti, and I thank Haiti for that.

Adding new posts soon...

2010-02-09T15:05:00.000-08:00

I will add more experiences as I write them up. I want to publish this post I typed up on the compound at night after my last shift. I think it sums up my entire experience and gives you a good look as to what is going on and how I felt about it. I published 2 earlier posts so please read too.

When I get more time I will write up as much as I can. There is a lot to say, but I just need some time. I will most likely have a story to tell for a long time. It was a wonderful experience, and I loved it. I want to go back- if I could I would still be there.

I have a trip planned to Ecuador in March with Global Smile Foundation for a week, and once I return from there I will be trying to place another venture to Haiti if I can. I will be collecting supplies this time if anyone is interested just let me know. The supplies will be going to the people- which is a difficult task in itself- but I met a few Haitian boys who I can count on to deliver supplies out of the camp and to the people in need.

Thanks everyone for your support.

xoxo

Jess

More experiences

2010-02-09T14:43:00.000-08:00

Wow the nights are hot but the days are hotter. Surprisingly I'm getting acclimated quickly. The VET is no longer working with Medishare (she just stopped by to help last night) so I am working with a wonderful nurse from Du Pont Hospital in Delaware. She's really nice- a big organizer so her mission is to keep our supplies in some kind of order (and to help her stay awake, she doesn't normally work nights).

We still have the amputation/tetanus pt, the other tetanus case was flown to the US today. We now have a potential brain dead pt (from a car accident) who underwent a crani and has a make shift EVD (created from another pts shunt tubing). (EVD is an external ventricular drain (sits in a ventricle in the brain) that drains cerebral spinal fluid from your brain to divert the flow of csf and prevent increasing ICP, or pressure of the brain causing more damage). His buritral is not to monitor or at a specific level- open to driaining bloody csf. His head is bandaged with kerlix and with all the typical signs and symptoms of head trauma. This is is 18. He survived the earthquake, and may end up dying from a MVC.

I used the young boy volunteer haitian translator to communicate with his father. I explained how serious this is and what may happen. The father just looks at me with swollen, reddened eyes, smiles and opens his arms up and says "I leave it up to god, he will know what to do" and he smiles again and thanks me unconditionally.

If there is one thing I have learned already it is that the Haitian people look toward a higher power to get them through. They accept what they can not change, easily. They don't argue with the nurses when given bad news, they accept the news and pray. They have a lot of faith in us as well and its a lot of responsibility- but we all want a better outcome and we work hard to help produce that.

Its difficult to care for these patients espicially in this case because we don't have a CT scanner, we can't go for MRI as we do back home. We can't check his ICP (intracranial pressure), and we can't do as much as I wish we could. But what we can do is assess him, treat symptoms, keep him cardiac monitored and prevent secondary complications. Sadly he has lost corneal reflexes and unresponsive to painful stimulation. We are using all the equipment we can to help this boy.

As I said before we are using cots to place the patients on and you can't raise the head of bed to 30 degrees to prevent aspiration, or to decrease ICP, you have to make do with what we have and create a way to raise their heads. Luckily we have one VERY old hospital bed that this patient is in, and we were able to take a needle box closed and lift the rubber mattress up to elevate the head of bed.

Another pt arrives- MVC (motor vehicle accident) rolled over him, tossed him out of the vehicle. He was driving a transportation vehicle. In the ER he has. GCS of 15, a number system comprised of the pts ability to open eyes, follow commands, speak. He has bilateral pleural effusions and major trauma to his face arms and legs. By the time he reached ICU he was losing his airway, not opening eyes and no longer following commands.
There was also blood build up behind his left eye causing it to protrude out. The blood was evacuated by performing a subretinal hemorrhage evacuation (see pictures).

We intubated him immediately. And began to irrigate his wounds. With the lack of supplies we used a burn dressing to protect and cover the wounds. He received bilateral chest tubes- only one set up to a pleuravac and the other a old milk jug (see pictures), I know, creative!

It's been a busy day. We ended the day with 4 critical patients. Another large problem we are having are the flies. We have Fly bags hung to catch them but no such luck. I am going to look for cheese net or mosquito nets to cover the pt.'w with because we have flies all over the oral airways, on and in the wounds, its horrible. We won't eat a hot dog or a hamburger if a fly lands on it, so how it is okay for flies to infect and land on wounds?

My first night

2010-02-09T14:34:00.000-08:00

We landed in haiti and were driven by pickup truck and car from the airport to our compound with Project Medishare. Barry (who is from SEIU 1991- we were set to travel together) and I worked as soon as we arrived at 1am as the coordinators stressed a dire need for nurses immediately. We gave our bags to people we met in the aiport for them to claim us a cot in the tent for morning and set off to work. He went to the adult tent and I was sent to ICU/OR.

Not much of an orientation, literally thrown into the unit. To my surpise we had a tarp as our OR door (which was about a foot from the ground preventing a true "seal" for sterility) and to my left was OR1 and my right was ICU.
There was a cloth separating OR1 and 0R2 across the way was OR3 and OR4. The back of the tent was shelves of medications and supplies.

The OR pictures will explain everything- The beds made out of 2x4s and a piece of plywood. They were set up as best possible.

The ICU was amazing and again the pictures will prove just that. I had about a 15 x 12 foot space to fit 3 to 5 patients on cots with air mattresses (if we could find one) along with large O2 cylinders, ventilators, monitors, defibulators, "crash carts", a table of meds/supplies and just about anything you can imagine including space to fit nurses & doctors to provide care. I am amazed.

Of the initial 3 pt's I cared for when I arrived, 2 had tentanus, a tracheotomy (with kerlix as a neck tie), one was intubated with a neck skin graft that didn't take, a leg amputation (where one case of tetanus is suspected), wound vacs, external fixators and a pt with so much mucous that needed to be suctioned constantly to prevent aspiration that it was near impossible with super low suction capabilities. But we made do.

An FYI to all those who forget to get their tetanus shot- GO GET ONE! The symptoms of tetanus are horrific and ill-treatable especially with other medical conditions coexisting.

My first night went well. I worked with a VET (yes I said that correctly, not a nurse, but a vet, in an ICU) who did a great job. As an icu nurse you must lose your anal retentive ways about procedures, cleanliness and protocol and have to remember where you are and why your there- use what you can and make what you need. Improvise, open your eyes, work smart and treat the cause.

Treating my pts was a constant mission. We "charted" on notebook paper that also includes "orders" from the MD. Basically we treat what we see. If we need fentanyl we get fentanyl, propofol? Sure! We were lucky to have the most of the medical supplies we needed and if not we made something else work. Typically at night there was a float doctor we could grab but we worked as a team rather than the norm.

The VET- RN left around 630ish to head back to her camp. And around 720ish the next crew came to relieve me in the morning. I gave a "report" of what was most prevalent of each pt and what was used to help calm symptoms, etc and then I was off to find my bags so I could sleep.

Sleeping is rare as I realized that lying on a cot on top of my sleeping bag sopping wet using my fanny pack as a pillow. 2 hours of dozing in and out isn't too horrible- just find me some water :)

Back from Haiti!

2010-02-09T14:33:00.000-08:00

Well, thanks to the most wonderful phone company, verizon, I was unable to update my blog in Haiti. They did not send me the sim card to be able to use it. So I will be posting my blogs here now. It was the best experience I have ever had. You will be able to read it here. I will post pictures when I can.

leaving in minutes!

2010-02-02T18:27:00.000-08:00

On the plane headed to haiti! My flight was late from pgh to miami by nearly an hour and a half but I made it.

Diane my seiu contact in miami met me and helped me with the final paperwork and then I met with Barry who was late too- might be a bad idea we are working together! Haha. Really nice guy. He has family in haiti who his goal is to try to talk them into coming back to florida.

I've already met a lot of people- drs nurses and social workers from all over the country.

Look foward to what's next. Should be in haiti in less than 2 hrs.

Love you all.

Jess

Ps. HI CINDY lol

LEAVING TOMORROW!

2010-02-01T15:43:00.000-08:00

After a week of waiting I am leaving tomorrow! Just got the final details for flights. I head out of PGH at 320- to Miami. I leave from Miami at 9pm for Haiti. Diane my contact in Florida from SEIU set up that I will travel with a nice guy named Barry who is a Haitian ER nurse that works in Jacksonville FL. I will meet him tomorrow in Miami.

Sounds like I am working in the field and not in the hospital. Will know more about my mission when we arrive. I was told to make sure I have my headlight (which I do!) and tons of bug spray as the bugs are super active right now. I will also be sporting my moms ever so attractive fanny pack- keeping important items with me at all times.

I'll return next week between Feb 9-11 final date to be determined.

Blog later!

New Info

2010-01-26T10:58:00.000-08:00

So after talking with about a dozen people I understand a bit more why there are set backs. We have shut down our operation with St. Damiens hospital in Port-au-Prince for reasons that do not operate with our mission. We are working to get the 3 girls back to the US tomorrow.

Right now I understand Cathy is working to get me on a plane tomorrow to work with Cece Peterson and/or John Zeigler which I really hope follows through. They are doing amazing work in the field with Dr.'s and setting up mobile clinics and doing an abundance of good. With that hope I can only pray that I leave tomorrow.

If not, I will return to work. I was told I am next to go to Haiti and as soon as everything is organized correctly and safely I will go. It will be for 2 weeks- which is absolutely fine with me we are just waiting for final confirmation of our plans.

Will post with new info when I receive it.

Who knows at this point

2010-01-26T07:24:00.000-08:00

STILL waiting to hear what is going on with the trip to Haiti. The companies we are working with Partners in Heath, International Medical Corps and another company of which escapes me have changed criteria for their volunteers. Now you must give 2 weeks+ commitment plus extra stipulations.

I am willing to go for 2 weeks, one week without pay, but at this point its a wait and see. I think the other problem is they are having a hard time coordinating planes to and from haiti. The three girls there now are having a difficult time getting home.

I made calls, and still waiting on a return phone call.

I will update you all when I know something as well. This is very frustrating.

Waiting for the news...

2010-01-25T09:29:00.000-08:00

I don't like to wait. If you know me, you know I am inpatient when I am not in the loop. I am still waiting to hear when I leave. The hold up also includes the rumors flying around Port-au-prince and getting to Danielle, Tiffany and Ashley that they are not leaving Haiti unless they pay a $1,000 fee. However, from what I am told by Cathy that it absolutely not true. She has been in touch with the Union who are in touch with the White House and they are definitely coming home either tomorrow or Wednesday.

For Tawnya and I, we are waiting until this clears and we find out everything is okay. I believe that the hospital the girls are at, St. Damiens is run by the hospital and not a relief team which could be the reason why there is so much confusion. I know the union is looking into us not traveling and working at that hospital at this time.

In the meantime I thought I would try to answer the question everyone has been asking:

What did I pack? - I have packed for myself: Nature Valley bars and protein bars and gum and a large bottle of water. I have a head flashlight, a hand held flashlight, sleeping bag, 2 pair of scrubs and 2 tee shirts, underwear and 2 pair of socks. I have my antimalarial meds, anti-diarrhea meds and ibuprofen. I rented a global phone for emergencies. I packed a book for the plane ride (maybe I will finally finish Lovely Bones), sunglasses, visine, a blood pressure cuff, hemostats, scissors, pen light and cash for the taxi.
For the mission- I have tons and tons of antibacterial wipes, triple Antibiotic creams, hydrocortisone creams, bandaids including kids bandaids, ankle wraps, wrist wraps, knee wraps, an air-cast, gauze, alcohol swabs, hydrogen peroxide, vicks (for the smells), gloves, kitchen gloves (yep-prob. not changing gloves that often so if your also traveling to Haiti bring a pair or 2), masks, childrens tylenol, adult tylenol, and so much more I can't even think. I also went out last night with extra donation money and bought kids underwear and tanks/tee shirts and heart lollypops.

I really hope I am not over the 50lb bag limit! I tried to weigh my bag and I am pretty close. Hopefully my bag doesn't get lost like Danielles but just incase I have a fanny pack and my book bag with me at all times with the important items.

Hopefully the next post I have I will saying I am headed out. Fingers crossed.

Waiting for my time...

2010-01-24T15:18:00.001-08:00

Have not received the call yet... will post as soon as I do.

Does anyone have the World Edition Blackberry that may have an extra battery for me to borrow?

Thanks Gram for your donations today- I love you :) and Needless to say, don't worry :) haha.

I've received tons of text and calls today from you all and I appreciate all your kind words- I have great coworkers :)

Love you too pap.

xoxo Jessie

Donations!

2010-01-23T19:54:00.000-08:00

______________________________>
Thank you Greensburg store Haiti Supporters!

Thank you to all my $ supporters!

<_________
Thank you to my Monroeville store Haiti supporters!

Another day closer

2010-01-23T19:19:00.000-08:00

Spent the morning in PALs class at Jefferson Hospital for the Ecuador trip in March. Then again the afternoon and night were spent with my mom collecting/searching for more items for Haiti. I think I am down to literally 5 items left that I need, then with the room left in my bag I am going to bring things for the kids (ideas: underwear, shirts, candy etc).

I want to use todays post to thank everyone for all of their help this week. So here it goes...

Thank you to my mom and dad for donating their own money to help me purchase the items I need personally (sleeping bag, food, personal first aid, shoes) for Haiti along with first aid supplies. Mom- thanks for spending hours shopping- and remember when walking WITH someone it's always nice to walk WITH them, just a little fyi, haha. Thank you both for all of your support and hope for this trip and of course all of your love. Dad I know your hesitant to let me leave, without you, but I will be fine. I will be home in a few days and can show you all the good we did.

I love you.

Melissa and Billy- thanks for making phone calls for supplies. See you guys soon. Love you.

Mike- Thanks for helping me pack! I know your thinking like my dad is, and your not interested in the idea of where I am going BUT like I said earlier give me a week and I'll be home! Enjoy your week and have some fun :) I love you (and TYLER!).

Special thanks go out to my donators...

Cindy Corder and George Blissman- your $ donation was greatly appreciated and helped pay for most of my supplies! THANK YOU!

Audrey and Denny Paluselli- you both are like an extra set of grandparents to me, I appreciate everything and love you both. Your $ donation paid for my vaccines! THANKS!!!

Jerry Lott- Thank you so much for your $ donation. It was a complete surprise to hear from Lucy you wanted to match her donation. I truly appreciate your kindness. Your donation went to my head flashlight, water purification tablets and preventative medications. THANK YOU!

AND a special thanks to all the donations from both my Monroeville AND Greensburg stores that donated tons and tons of ankle, wrist and knee bandages, first aid kits, Antibiotic cream, Hydrocortisone creams, vicks, gauze, bandaids, etc. Thank you so much for all of your help in such a short time. My bag is nearly COMPLETELY FULL!

I appreciate everyones support. I look forward to posting pictures when I return to show you all the good you did with the donations YOU supplied!

Thanks again.

xoxo

Jessica

... and here we go!

2010-01-22T06:00:00.001-08:00

Hi Everyone!

I decided it would be easiest for me to try this blogging trend while traveling this year. As you already know I am headed off to Haiti in just a few days. I am waiting confirmation on whether I leave Sunday night January 23rd or Monday the 24th. I am very excited and wish I could head out today- but way too much to do!

I am joining my fellow nurses from Allegheny General Hospital along with other nurses from Maryland and Florida as organized by our union SEIU HealthCare. It's quite exciting to a part of such a wonderful cause and an amazing group. Within a couple hours Monday January 18th I found out I was permitted to leave work for a week and head over to Haiti as part of the AGH Disaster Relief Team. A day later I was contacted to be the "go-to-nurse" for the media interviews. It's been a new experience for me and very interesting, I am honored to be chosen to help represent our group publicly.

Over the past few days I have contacted a few companies in the Greensburg and Monroeville areas regarding donations for Haiti. I am proud to say that I have 3 businesses collecting donations for myself to bring over to Haiti. I look forward to collecting the items tomorrow to pack in my supplies bag.

...And if my travel arrangements weren't last minute enough- CW Press on East Carson St in Pittsburgh has committed to making 20 shirts for each of our nurses approved to leave for Haiti AND dropped the $100 rush order fee. Service in less than 24 hours! I can't wait to show the team the design, they are all going to love it! Thanks CW PRESS!

So today- I just got off work this morning. I am waiting on my rented global phone to be delivered from Verizon shortly (so I can try to update the blog as often as possible while in Haiti). Then I believe I am scheduled for another interview today, this one with SEIU HealthCare Headquarters. They are going to try to keep in touch with me while in Haiti also so be on the lookout for their newsletter!

And the rest of my days consists of the Allegheny County Health Dept. for some wonderful vaccinations that I am sure are going to make my arm feel terrific, and some final shopping for my energy food, brush ups, baby-wipes and last minute emergency items (flashlights, masks, gloves, etc), and hopefully getting some sleep!

Well, hopefully you are not focusing on my grammar in the blog and are interested to hear about my travels. I can't wait to head off and bring back some amazing experiences to share with you all.

Before I go I want to thank SEIU for allowing us to take part in this mission. I also have to thank my coworkers Holly Spotts, and Kristin Graziano for picking up my work week next week, and to Hannah Umandap for donating 8 of her hard earned vacation hours to me for this trip and lastly to Angela Costa, my supervisor for signing my leave papers permitting me to leave work.

Thank you to my family for your love and support- I will be fine :)

Also thanks to you all who care to read my blog- Hopefully I will be able to add pictures to this site and bring the U.S. to Haiti one blog at a time :)

-Jessica