A solemn start

It is Ash Wednesday so I went to the chapel service at 7am. NPH is a Catholic organization and the head of this hospital is Father Rick, a Priest who went to medical school. He has a true calling. He opened the service by announcing that the team that goes out to look for bodies every night had brought back 5 last evening. Two were identified as nuns and one of them was the sister of the Archbishop of Cap Haitian. The other 3 were a nurse and her 2 children. All were buried beneath the palm trees next to the chapel on the grounds of the hospital. The archbishop was to come today to say prayers for his sister. Father Rick then led the Mass which was sung in Creole, read in English, Homily in English and Liturgy in Creole. Since these were familiar words it is not exactly like speaking in tongues where no matter the language we understand each other. But perhaps it is as close as I will get. From the Mass he segued into a service for the dead. It was seamless and moving.
At 8 we went to the morning meeting where Dr/Father Rick presided. Most of the discussion centered around how to do continuing care for the orthopedic patients as the number of Orthopedists is dwindling. Part of the tension revolves around how do we keep this a pediatric facility and still care for everyone. These patients will need continuing care for months so plans must be made.

Back to orthopedic clinic for me which is a happening place. I took out sutures, changed dressings and assisted where ever I could. At the end of the day we had an anesthetist who sedated several children to remove the pins from their now healed fractures. The tools would make you handy men green with envy. The last one for me was a child with a fracture that was not set well. He was sedated and then the MD attempted to correct the alignment. One of many reasons I do not do orthopedics.
So my feet are a bit tired. It is hot, but there is food, water and internet so all is well. At least for me.