Tuesday, January 18, 2011

the circle of life

Hello
Sharon our nurse was called in the middle of the night that a baby was being born. We got her an escort and she was on her way. Shortly, after 2am Sharon returned. Quiet. We found out later that the mother and child had to be taken out by ambulance and possibly at this time the mother had lost alot of blood and that the baby may be still born. It deeply effected this community. Many people were up 36 hours in an attempt to save these lives. It is met with deep sorrow that this child did not make and the mother was in surgery for several hours. Once again, if they would have been in the United Staes this would have probably been a uncomplicated c-section. It is a part of life here.
I told you about Rose and her entry in heaven on Sunday morning. Rose was one of the first patients to come to the LivingRoom and George came to the LivingRoom to die and today he is well enough to go home. Mixed so closely with sorrow is happiness. For Goerge is able to go back home. Because this community has decided to step and take care of the people who are given less than what is left. This to me shows the true heart and soul of a community not only are they there for the young but for their elderly and sick and dying.
It has been an unbelieveable adventure--this team has given 200% and with the last couple of days near, they barely rest. I have heard over and over how this team and the teams I have brought in the past have been organized and ready to move. They can't believe the things we get done in such a short amount of time. To this team--Hip Hip Hooray!!!!!

Just to check--We brought dental equipment--tools, handpieces,suction,gause,fillings, etc. We brought 5 individual chlorinators to teach out reach in the community, 1 industrial chlorinator for the clinic, optometry equipment--transition lenses, tint tank, pupilometer, dolls for the school the clinic and the living room--these children come into the clinic with burns or cancer and receive an angel of comfort doll. A pen pal program between Prairie schools and Chabiaywa schools. A huge thank you to Lauren and Marcus Cannon--they took this to the limit--all the letters were treated with such care by each child that received a letter. Nothing can touch you deeper than a child thought to be forgotten receives mail from a kindred spirit across the pond!!! One of the most spectacular sites was the incredible team of Carolyn and Jen and the women of Chabiaywa. 80 quilting kits taken over--all dispensed--they made 4 quilts and the women donated them to the Living Room. You could see women under trees, waiting for their spouse or friend to walk and they would be working on their quilt. All of the women talked about the class---HEY to the ladies in Iowa City for preparing the quilts. To Jen and Carolyn--I will never do battle with needles again. We might lose an eye--JOB SECURITY!!!!!!! Brought quilts,blankets,fitted sheets,scrubs,hospital gowns--children and adult. Wound care preps and soaker pads. Computer--6 of them to start a computer lab for education. And finally the smuggling in of the the six garden hoes, 2 shovel/picks,8 pick/hoes. Because the landscaping of the the Living Room--I deeply appreciate the whole team but especially--Mother Nature and Jims---Joan and Jim Chalupsky--we put in 6 pallets of pavers, 3 loads of sand, 50 trees, 100 of flowers--so approximately 200 plants, a tressel at the end of the walk, a stone wall, 2 additional pathways for benches. And an awesome amount of love and affection for the people of Kenya---And Joan and Jim did not think they would have anything to offer:)

Off for now will blog again tomorrow--getting ready to say good-bye to our family in Chabiaywa--then to Iowa.

Dr. Fitzgerald

2 comments:

  1. Unbelievable what you all have done. Reading your BLOGS has given us such joy. Thank you to all on the team. Amazing stuff! Doc.....you have done good.....again! Congrats!


    Sue Grant

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  2. Sounds like it has been an amazing experiance and also a very produtive trip. Thank you one and all for taking time out of your lives to do this work. You are truely an amazing team and an inspiration to us all.
    Jeff Frink

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