Soo???

The First Flowers of Spring

Does this mean Winter is over?

Black and White Wednesday the Heart Beat

I can hear it now:

"Why would you post that picture?" "No! More Close ups!"

I know my mother is not going to like the picture I choose this week for

Lisa's "The Long Road to China"

Black and White Wednesday.

But I Love this picture of her and I think it is a perfect way to end a difficult month....

the month of Love... the month of February.

STRENGTH, BEAUTY, LOVE

I wish my mother could see what I see when I look at pictures of her.

I see the HEART BEAT of our Family. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Please don't forget to Ask Congress to support the Lung Cancer Mortality Reduction Act of 2009....My mother would really appreciate it.

Home From Haiti ~ Regina

My cousin Regina sent out this letter February 11 telling everyone she was home and about her experiences in Haiti.

I wanted to post this letter not only because I am proud of Regina there were many people wishing her well that are not on her e-mail list.

I thought some of you would like the opportunity to read her letter.

Hello All:

We departed 95 degree Haiti at 9 in the morning, and arrived home to frigid Boston around midnight Sunday 2/7. Shovelling out from 6-8 inches of snow this morning never felt so invigorating and freeing to me. I'll take this weather and American taxes anyday over life in Haiti. I live in a beautiful country and really take way too much for granted.

I've been home a few days and am still feeling the effects of what I experienced. My body is physically spent as I've never worked so hard in my life. Every time we turned around there was something more that could be done. The morning quickly became afternoon and soon it was evening and then the sun set and the next thing we knew, it was midnight or 2 AM and, I was STILL working!!! Half the time I couldn't remember when the last time was that I ate or went to the bathroom! Constantly I was pulled in different directions....to medicate someone or perhaps 50 patients; to take down dressings and re-bandage gruesome wounds; to bathe victims caked with 3 weeks worth of earthquake soot; to improve the living quarters of 100 women who were sleeping on straw mats on a concrete floor; to assemble a shelving unit from card board boxes & surgical tape, to create an accessible stock area for nursing supplies; to digging a foxhole-like ditch for the emptying of bedpans; to hanging a 2 mile long clothes line for the hand washed laundry to dry. No joke...these are some of the many things that I found myself doing. Sometimes reality would hit and I'd shake my head and think 'I can't believe I'm doing this'!

As a nurse, I found myself thrown into situations that were far beyond my scope of knowledge, however I worked to the best of my ability and really believe I made a difference in the lives of many. As a woman, I felt my maternal insticts pulling me into that role of nurturer and protector. I fell in love with so many of the beautiful children. One in particular who I will give an update later in this letter. As a human, I felt very conflicted that such poverty exists...I'm talking about life in Haiti before the earthquake. How is it that a country can be so corrupt and allow their people to live in these conditions? It is an awful place...dirty, antiquated, sad.

I was in Milot, Haiti. A small town 75 miles north of Port Au Prince. I did not go anywhere near the epicenter of the quake. Our area was not damaged by the earthquake. Hopital Sacre Coeur is a hospital funded by the Order of Malta, here in the States. It functions and is well equipped for 75 patients. Since the earthquake, the hospital has expanded to nearly 400 pts. The original hospital building has been transformed into an ICU, PACU, 3 OR's, 3 Procedure Rms (mostly for casting), and the upstairs is used for non earthquake related patients. We had a birth up there last week. A beautiful healthy little girl! Across the street there was a school building which has been taken over to house the majority of patients and also a nutrition center which was taken over and used as the Pediatric Center. And, another school which is used as the Emergency Room & Triage areas. A soccer field has become a helicopter landing area where victims are brought in from Port Au Prince, the USS Comfort ship, and many of the field hospitals around the immediate earthquake area. The Caritas Hospital Network in Boston, has shipped down 5 very large tents which went up during my time in Haiti. We called it Tent City and it looks just like M.A.S.H. The plan is to move all of the patients out of the school buildings and get the children back into school. The tents are being stocked with supplies and cots/beds and can house up to 500+ patients. The moving of patients had just begun as we were finishing up our 10 day stay.

The volunteers sleep (not much!) in a gated, secured compound. There are 3 buildings, sort of like retreat houses, with 3 people per room and several common bathrooms/shower rooms to share. Tents were also pitched to accommodate volunteers. I was lucky to be assigned a room with a bed in the convent. I roomed with 2 other Caritas nurses and we did have a bath & shower in our quarters that was shared with a few other nurses who were sleeping on cots in the convent kitchen & living room. There was a cook for the volunteers and meals were meager and a little different than what we'd normally choose to eat. Breakfast was delicious juicy grapefruit & Haitian porrage. Lunch was rice & beans and some sort of mystery meat, either goat, mule or some kind of bird. Supper was rice & beans and vegetables. I was very happy that I thought ahead and brought with me those foil packages of tuna!! There was also a fridge full of Coke and cold beer...which was a welcome treat enjoyed by all.

Many of us left behind our shoes and clothing. I gave the few articles of clothing I brought to my friend Rita. She had nothing of her own and was thrilled to have some "new" things to wear. My shoes went to my interpreter Jaqueson. He was a tremendous help to me and I was really happy that my brand new Reeboks would be well worn. I also gave him the Quaker Instant Oatmeal that I brought and never ate. You'd think I gave that boy a thousand dollars. He actually cried real tears to receive my leftovers.

My little boy Raymond looks to be 2 yrs old, but they say he is very articulate, so it is possible he is 3 yrs old. He was found in the rubble of a little shack in Port Au Prince. There were other bodies around him, however he was the sole survivor. He arrived at Hopital Sacre Coeur on a chopper, the same day that I arrived. He was brought to us from one of the field hospitals in Port Au Prince with his right arm already amputated at the elbow. I met him when he came out of the OR on my second day. His wound was badly infected and he had just had more of his right arm amputated. He is now left with a shoulder stump. He woke up hysterically crying looking for his "Mama". I leaned over his bed and tried to comfort him. He was wild and trying to climb out of the bed. I was impatient, stressed and frustrated as the ONLY nurse in an ICU with 12 patients. I asked the surgeon to escort the baby's parents in to the unit. The doctor turned to me with this forlorn look and said: "he is all alone, there is no one". He's an orphan? I couldn't believe it. Everything stopped. My heart nearly burst out of my chest. This little boy, so cute, so innocent...crying for his "Mama", was all alone in this world. In this horrible dirty place, this little guy was totally alone. I couldn't help myself. He was reaching out to me and I just scooped him out of that big hospital bed and held him close. I cried like I haven't cried before. My heart broke for him. I wanted him. I wanted to take him home to my nice clean house in my nice clean world. I thought to myself, I can leave right now. I'll call Colin and tell him I have to come home with this little boy and we are going to adopt him and give him everything that we've given Andrew and MaryKate. It seemed so logical! He touched my face and stroked my straight, smooth hair...something he'd never felt before. He looked at my white skin quizzically and tried touching my light eyes. He was examining this pale creature that was tightly hugging him.

The family members of the other patients in the ICU came over to me. One lady put her arm around me and was comforting me. In spite of our language differences I knew what her eyes were saying. She had that Haitian resilience and hope that would impress me over and over again during my stay in her country. Then, a man came over to me. He was the husband of one of my ICU patients. He took the boy from me and spoke through the interpreter. He said "I'll hold the child for you sister, so you can get your work done." I wiped my tears away and shook my head in thanks. You are right, I thought...get a grip Regina, you have alot of work here and you are all alone with all these sick patients. I handed over the child and went back to nursing the ICU patients.

The boy was later transferred over to the Pediatric Unit. Every night I went over to put him to bed. I couldn't help myself. I needed to visit with him and know that he was okay. It was a task I looked forward to and I think Ray Ray also enjoyed seeing me. He'd stretch out his good arm and nestled his little head into my neck as I rocked him to sleep. He giggled when I whispered in his ears and simply loved my rendition of American lullabies. A bright light for me leaving Ray Ray behind, is the man, named Tomas, who took him from me that day in the ICU. He was also captivated by the little boy. Tomas has become a surrogate Dad for Ray, and has spent much of his time with him in the Pedi Ctr. Tomas told me that he lost his 2 little girls in the quake and if he is allowed, he would like to give Ray Ray a home. That would be so wonderful. I know that Tomas loves him and would be good to him. If the child advocates doing investigations on behalf of the orphans at the hospital do not find any living relatives, then Ray will be placed for adoption. I was in close contact with the advocate assigned to Ray and I left a letter recommending Tomas be considered as an adoptive parent. If there is no family left, then I truly believe Tomas and his wife, who is healing from her injuries and doing well, would be loving parents for this beautiful child Please pray that it works out for Tomas and Ray Ray. I really believe they need each other and truly see the hand of God at work.

In closing, I want to thank you all for your thoughts and kind prayers for me. I honestly believe that it was the power of prayer and strength from those at home, that got me through the journey. It will take some time for me to process all that was experienced. I have many, many stories and memories...some haunting, some sad, some hopeful, some funny. I met so many amazing people...the volunteers - so selfless and living examples of God's infinite love and compassion, the victims - so injured and sick, yet so full of hope and determination, the families of victims - so generous of their meager belongings; offering support, guidance and motivation to every one of the victims, not just their own. The unselfish concern for humanity was so moving and inspiring. Thank you all for your interest. Please don't forget. Continue to pray for the people of Haiti and do whatever you can to support the earthquake relief efforts.

I hope to see you all and share my pictures and stories of the experience. Tonight I look forward to reuniting with my Haiti collegues for a debriefing. There is so much to sort out in my mind and heart. I've had so many personal experiences in my lifetime that have changed me, but there are none that even come close in comparison to this journey.

Again, my heartfelt gratitude to all.

Love,

Regina

Black and White Wednesday & February Birthday's

This February 16th Birthday has caused US a LOT of anxiety.

BUT!

It turned out okay.

So I decided to play Lisa's from A Long Road to China Black and White game.

Okay I cheated a little....

BUT

Shhh! Don't tell her. Maybe she won't even notice.

Tuesday we celebrated Margaret's birthday just as we always have.

THIS TIME WE ADDED JUST A LITTLE MORE CHOCOLATE TO GET US THROUGH!

See how Brain Celebrates the Hot Fudge?

It is home-made you know.

You can find the recipe on my cousin Anne's blog.

Her blog is amazing and Simply delicious!

BUT BE CAREFUL!!!

It can be a little dangerous for your health.

It is helpful that she throws in little hints....Like don't forget to breath...

Which I personally find very useful.

If you know anything about us or read any of my cousin's blogs you will know...

We have a little thing about chocolate.

Because my father's birthday is today...February 17....We have all been very worried about just how we where to get through the week.

For Margaret's Birthday I made a little chocolate.

Chocolate Cake...with Chocolate Frosting...and Home-Made Hot Fudge.

Once we were drunk from our very important chocolate fix

we decided to take a group picture.

We put the camera on the tripod and figured out

how to set the timer

In this picture not only did Margaret have her eyes closed,

Alex and Brian left to soon and Matthew started pinching Kathryn.

In this picture Brain is going to cry, Stephen looks like he just woke up from his nap

and I am not there!

After about 1600 times......We finally got it and it was just good enough

Perfect

YAY!!

DAY ONE DOWN

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

DAY TWO

None of us wanted to go through this day alone so we got together for one of our

father's three favorite meals.

Breakfast

Aubry came and brought her mom.

It was really a great idea!

The men finished up their business meeting outside.

AND

Aubry and Nana had a meeting of their own inside.

Even though there were tears and laughter.........There was a lot of LOVE and DONUTS!

Chocolate ones of course.

02.17.2007

You know what my dad would really like for this birthday?

He would love it if you asked Congress to support the Lung Cancer Mortality Reduction Act of 2009 by signing the petition. It really is that important.

Birthdays this Week ~ Stupid February!

Mom and Margaret

maybe you should not read this one

So this is it….The big birthday week. And we are all trying really hard thinking of ways we can make IT stay away…..but we know we can’t.

Margaret’s birthday is Tuesday and then…...my father’s birthday will be Wednesday……Ash Wednesday…… and we have to do it without him.

I keep telling myself we should celebrate. It was so wonderful having him here with us. He truly left the world a better place. Life and Love should always be celebrated.

RIGHT???

And then I cry.

And then I think we should celebrate Margaret’s birthday even though she doesn't want to. I can hear our father saying……”You have to celebrate. It is better then the alternative.” And I laugh and I wonder...Does he still think that……I can also hear him say; “Of course you will celebrate. I am so glad she is there with you.”….and then I think….. I am glad she is here too and then I cry.

We all cry…….separately.

It has been a very hard month for all of us.

Stupid February!

I haven’t posted much at all this month just because I really don’t know what to do. I have been dreading this whole week. I have been holding my breath all month not wanting to think about it at all.

So NOW….IT is coming and I sit here………. thinking.

Should I post his picture on Black and White Wednesday? After all it is his birthday and I really like playing that game….. Do I post a picture of him and Margaret? After all we always celebrate their birthdays together……Or do I do nothing?

I just don’t know what to do,

But I do know I miss him.

I miss him being excited about life……..and because today is Valentines Day and he always made it special for our mother. I miss him being excited because James in now at a University and Matthew made the Dean’s list at the community college and he is still in high school. I miss hearing his “WOW”.

I miss him being excited because Stephen is such a do-er and being so very pleased because Steve "did it" just the way he would of. I miss hearing him call all the girls "Dear" and everyone of those girls…..young or old….whether they knew him or not..… thought they WERE his one and only very special DEAR…….. I just miss so much about him.

AND It just doesn’t feel right going into the week not acknowledging the fact February 16 is Margaret’s birthday and February 17 is his.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Please don't forget to Ask Congress to support the Lung Cancer Mortality Reduction Act of 2009....It really is very, very important. It could save your life or someone you love.

Helping Haiti ~ Regina

There are two letters I am posting today. Both from my cousin Regina. She is on a medical mission sponsored by Caritas Christi. She and her group left for Haiti January 28. She is asking for prayers.....I will forward your comments to her.

I know she and the medical team she is with will appreciate the moral support.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hello All! I am alive and well, however completely exhausted. We've been here 4 days and there are no words to describe what my eyes have seen and my heart has felt. The gravity of destruction to a generation of this country is beyond words. So many of the children without limbs simply take my breath away. I have one little boy, Raymond, who I've grown very attached. While trying to comfort him just after he came out of surgery, I was told by the doc that he was all alone. He was recovered in the rubble in Port Au Prince and his family is presumed dead.Hearing that, I scooped him up in my arms and just couldn't hold back the tears. He kept looking at his bandaged shoulder stump and saying in Creole "All gone? All gone?"Oh, how I wish I could bring him home. And sadly, there are many others like Raymond. Our days have been very long. We start work at 8am and finish anywhere from 10p-2a. We are taking care of patients that are laying on mattresses on the floor and army cots. We kneel or squat to reach them. The rooms are filthy and all of us nurses have had difficulty caring for our pts in such unsanitary conditions. We do our absolute best, to practice aseptically, as we would at home, but truthfully, it is next to impossible. We often crack jokes about JHACO!! Needless to say, I'll need a full body massage when I get home. Oh, and throw in a pedicure too. My feet are swollen and blistered. Chairs are a commodity here. Any available seats are occupied by the family members who have no where to go, so they stay in the pts wards. Just more people to add to the chaos! We are doing so much good here. Although I've never been so physically + emotionally drained, I am so glad that I came. I knew it'd be grueling, but I didn't expect to have the feeling of sadness that I've experienced. To look in the eyes of these people, you sense an emptiness. They had so little to begin with and now they have nothing. And, then there are their families who do not hesitate to provide the most intimate of care. Not only do they help their own, but also those who are without families. It is a culture that really looks out for the little guy. And they are so grateful for our presence. In spite of their agonizing conditions, they kiss our hands and pat our backs in gratitude. I just hope that in the months to come these victims will get the rehab they need to learn the necessary skills to have some quality of life with their handicaps. Looking around at the infrastructure of this 3rd World country, it is certainly hard to fathom. The Caritas contingent is highly regarded down here. I love telling the other volunteers that I'm from Boston. They respond with "oh, Caritas has been so responsive to this mission...and then they thank us on bended knee. It gives us all such a sense of pride. And thank you Caritas for providing us with Blackberries to keep in touch with our families. I'd never get through this overwhelming experience without hearing the voices of Colin, Andrew and Mary Kate. Their support and encouragement have kept me going. I haven't had a lot of time to take pictures, but I will get some soon and send them out. Please keep us all in your prayers. There is very little rest here and we desperately need the support of prayer to keep us going. Feel free to pass this on. I wish there was more time to write to everyone individually, God bless. Love, Regina

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Letter # 2

My new friend Rita... She is 64 yrs old and raised her daughters 2 sons since 1996 when she drowned at 26 yrs old Rita was on her way to Confession when the earthquake occured. Her legs were trapped under cinder blocks for 6 days when American soldiers found her and came to her rescue. There were 4 other women with her and a 10 year old girl. She helplessly watched and listened to them die. In this picture, I have just finished changing the dressings of her bilateral above the knee amputations. An agonizing ordeal for her. Also, a team of us had just moved her from a straw mat on the floor to an army cot and I'm very happy to report that we've since received a few new beds and Rita is now recuperating in luxury....in an honest to goodness real bed!! However, there is no linen to be found, so we became creative and fashioned bed sheets out of rags! Rita has an amazing spirit and is a role model for the other patients. What a great source for coping skills and surviving life's tragedies. She has not heard from her grandsons since the quake. Her older sister lives on the outskirts of Port Au Prince and Rita feels very fortunate to have a place to go when she is physically able. Rita speaks a bit of English and when I medicate her at the end of the night, she summons me down and outstretches her arms to give me a generous warm embrace. She quietly whispers "I love you, God bless you my new girl." --Regina

Black and White Wednesday

Keeping up with Lisa's Long Road to China Black and White Wednesday:

We have a few Birthday to celebrate this week.

Our BIG sister Karen, January 31 and her

'little' Brother Bill

February 2

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Guys!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Just because it is REALLY important:

Don’t forget to sign the petition and write a letter to your local Senator and Congress man about Lung Cancer Research….It is now in the US House and Senate. There is still time to act and save lives.