Friday, February 8, 2013

I'm thankful....

Today, I'm very thankful for the opportunity to live in the United States of America and have hospitals and Doctors to take care of us.

Last night, I attended our wards Relief Society meeting. One of the Doctors in Price came and shared with the sisters stories of his adventures in Haiti.  Recently, he had the opportunity to go to Haiti with a group of medical volunteers for eight days and provide medical services.  The group landed at the Port au Prince airport and had accommodations there.  Each day they would be transported to a local town (I believe it was Léogâne) to the "hospital".  Each morning the medical team would consult and make a list of the operations that would be performed during the day.  The patients would sit and wait for their turn to be operated on.  If the Doctors didn't make it through the whole list of people they would just have to come back the next day to wait again.

The medical equipment was very primitive in comparison to what we have here.  Their OB delivery room consisted of a table (the bed) and a bucket.  When people checked into the hospital they brought their own sheets and blankets.  There wasn't nurses to tend and take care of them so they brought their own family members to stay with them and supply their medical needs. They also brought their own food to eat while at the hospital.  By the time the Doctor had finished sharing his experience I was very humbled by his words.  We take so much for granted.  We have so much but we are never satisfied.  Next time I have to go to the Doctor or have something done at the hospital I hope I'm a little more grateful for the bed, the food, the nurses and cleanliness all around me.

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