Time stand still.

Thirteen. Thirteen. Thirteen. Caught myself in a moment of staring at my hands today. It’s been busier than I remember here at the hospital in Port au Prince. Non-stop. Case to case. Meeting to meeting. Like a river of issues and answers flowing through this place and you’re trying hard not to let the current take you. But here I am, leaning against a stack of supply boxes. Staring at my hands as the number thirteen keeps ringing like a distant bell in my head.

Everyone’s feeling it. You can see it in their faces. A mixture of adrenaline and exhaustion. The heat doesn’t help the situation. Never has. But everyone’s sweating through it. My phone slips in hands as I find a moment to type this. Yet, through it all, as everyone has sweated through every article of clothing the have through long shifts and even longer lines of patients, no one complains. More often they throw you that smile that says we’re in this together.

Subtle reminders come up, letting you know you’re a long way from the hospital in St. John’s. You don’t have a safety net here. When things go wrong, it’s literally life or death and you realize what little control you have. Late night and we were operating. It appeared to be a fairly straight forward case until we got into surgery and the patient became very unstable. There was far more blood loss from his injury than expected. We needed all hands scrubbed in on this one. The entire team showed up and like an orchestra kicking into full performance, everyone had a place, everyone had a job. Any hint of exhaustion was gone. No one looking tired or overwhelmed despite the fact we were 14 hours into a shift. Because of that, the patient survived to fight another day. A motorcycle accident tried to take his life, but tonight “was not his time” I overheard one of the Haitian nurses saying.  

But then comes that odd reminder of balance. Another motorcycle accident. This time a young woman was riding when the bike was hit by a car. Her leg was incredibly damaged, and she had travelled here in the back of a pickup truck with a belt around her thigh serving as a tourniquet. There was no option here. She could’ve been at the best hospital in the world and the answer would’ve been the same. Her leg was clinging to her body by a small piece of skin. She needed an amputation. It’s never easy to get consent from someone for an amputation in Haiti. Apart from the suddenness and the shock, the patient knows the even harder reality they now face.

What an odd sense of timing. This all happened the same day that Team Broken Earth started a new prosthetic program. The inspiration for this came from patients we have seen and treated in the past. Young children unable to navigate the hills of Port au Prince on one leg. Young men unable to return to work because of a missing limb.

Our new program will make a big difference for people like our bike accident patient. It will allow someone like her to be fitted with a basic prosthesis that provides the help needed to take the first steps in recovery. It’s hope for a better future. But for that patient, this is of no comfort. She woke up this morning with two legs. She’ll go to bed tonight as an amputee. Easy to see the silver lining when it’s not your decision to make.

My shirt is soaked through. The phone slips in my hand again and it snaps me out of a moment of staring. I flip through some pictures I was tagged in. Maggie turned thirteen the day after I left to come here. We celebrated beforehand but I still feel guilty for not being there. The number kept coming back to me down here. A little reminder of how life moves forward no matter what. In Maggie’s case, she’s a teenager now. I still remember how tiny she was in my hands. Her biggest concern right now is that her best friend may miss her birthday for the first time in ages. The innocence of that is a beautiful thought. The reality of the bike accident patient is something different. But I got to see the positive. I have that luxury. That yes, she’s at her darkest point. But because of our new program, she will have the chance at a normal life. The loss she feels now will be answered with an opportunity to able to move forward.

How quickly does a week go here? Almost done. I can’t wait to get home and hear Maggie’s birthday stories in person. Thirteen. Maybe it’s the mad pace around me or the age I see in my hands, but I’ve become more aware of time passing. It reminds me that there’s still much to do here. It also celebrates how far we’ve come.

Back at it.

Andrew

16 Responses to “Time stand still.”

September 23 at 9:14 pm, Dawn Taylor said:

Thank you for all you do…. for all everyone of your team does… Those words seem so insignificant, but we are behind you both emotionally and financially. Happy Birthday wishes to your young lady Maggie. I am enjoying the coverage on NTV. Hopefully it will generate more interest and funds for this worthwhile cause.

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September 23 at 11:43 pm, Trina said:

Your stories are just amazing… so much devotion to those in need. The world needs more good people like you.

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September 23 at 11:55 pm, Rosemary Finn said:

Wow, another great blog. It is amazing how you fit all this in. Maggie will be excited to have her dad home. Stories from both sides now. Safe travels!

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September 24 at 12:03 am, Lillian Buffett said:

Andrew…. Never doubt the difference you are making to so many lives in this world ( even in a hospital in St John’s as well as Haiti ). There are so many of us that are so grateful to have had you as “our doctor” . I know you and your family have made many sacrifices so that you can do what you do . Thank you to you and to Allison, Maggie, Rachel and Mark. The kids are probably to young to understand fully but they will be SO PROUD as they continue to grow and realize the difference you have made for so many people in this world. THANK YOU!

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September 24 at 9:58 am, Sharon Dove said:

You, sir, and the broken earth team are what we call heroes! Saving people’s lives every day, in what I’m sure are not ideal conditions. I know missing your daughters birthday must have been hard, but you must realize you gave her an incredible gift! She will come to see that what her Dad is doing for the Haitian people is something money can’t buy,and will probably have the same heart and dedication in whatever she chooses to do in life. Safe travels when you return home.

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September 24 at 11:04 am, Joan Aucoin said:

Beautiful Article. You and your team are doing amazing work. Hats of to the team that have shown so much passion in helping others.

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September 24 at 11:57 am, Paula Walsh said:

That’s right, it’s the positive approach that keeps us all going. People sometimes associate the number 13 with being “unlucky” but remember, Andrew, this is remarkable work that you and your team are doing and I am “positive” that the people of Haiti know how lucky they are to have such talented, committed professionals with their caring medical hands at their side….doing what matters most in repairing “their” broken earth.
13….that number, coming back to you because your daughter also knows you are making a “positive difference” in this world and she is lucky to have you as her dad! Travel safe. You and your team continue to make NL proud because we are caring people and the world appreciates that…once again.

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September 27 at 11:38 am, Cathy Driscoll said:

An inspiring article, amazing work both you and your team are doing.Maggie now a teenager is so proud of her dad,you both can share your stories.

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September 25 at 4:03 pm, Ethel Frampton. said:

Such a beautiful heart touching story. God Bless you all your family co workers and everyone you help and give hope to help move forward. Safe travels home.

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September 26 at 1:42 am, Rich Hanson said:

Andrew, I love your work and appreciate you sharing what you are doing with people in Haiti. You are an amazing person and It is amazing what you are doing. Keep it up. It is truly necessary.

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September 26 at 2:17 am, Alison Melvin said:

May God bless and strengthen you and your team, and reward beyond measure your efforts for his poor, suffering humanity.

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September 26 at 9:27 am, Selena Murphy said:

You are an inspiration to me and everyone else. You are making a difference both with Team Broken Earth and here in St. John’s. I am lucky to call you a friend. Enjoy your time with Maggie and your family, they grow up fast and your right, a week, a month, a year, just goes so fast. Safe travels to all of you!

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September 26 at 10:39 am, Gertrude Bromley said:

Just a super heartwarming article. I truly love your care and compassion as well as your team. How great to be able to do what you do. You are indeed gifted. Your family and province are proud of you. Take care and safe travels.

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September 26 at 5:02 pm, Sylvia Corcoran Molloy said:

When I met you in January,2010, I immediately knew/felt that you were an amazing doctor…and when my surgery went “perfect”,I knew you were meant to do great deeds. I follow you and your Team Broken Earth and I feel so proud and thankful .Your family must be so proud,too.In spite of all the circumstances,amazing positive things are happening because of Team Earth.God bless you all

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September 27 at 8:09 pm, Lori said:

Wow! I have heard great things about you and now I know them to be true. What an extraordinary life you have created for yourself, your family, and those you help! Just, Wow!

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October 1 at 12:51 pm, Joan Myles said:

Beautiful message Andrew; gave me shivers and misty eyes. Thanks for all you do in spite of the personal cost. Carry on team Broken Earth.

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