tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83263397905295572782023-11-15T07:15:16.857-08:00Love for LiberiaKatie O'Harahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05343134973749382283noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326339790529557278.post-25321694857447230972008-04-09T10:10:00.000-07:002008-04-09T10:38:21.072-07:00Farewell!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2296/2344961175_0d9e7c3163_b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2296/2344961175_0d9e7c3163_b.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2003/2344962247_3824527cde_b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2003/2344962247_3824527cde_b.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2325/2344963281_dc3121d1c2_b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2325/2344963281_dc3121d1c2_b.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3149/2344965341_26c8efd40a_b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3149/2344965341_26c8efd40a_b.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3107/2345793978_df9807e090_b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3107/2345793978_df9807e090_b.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2305/2345794840_38dd972043_b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2305/2345794840_38dd972043_b.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2122/2345795854_ce9400a794_b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2122/2345795854_ce9400a794_b.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2416/2344969367_25443f8f38_b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2416/2344969367_25443f8f38_b.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2213/2345009315_929c790daa_b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2213/2345009315_929c790daa_b.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div>After finishing my last evening shift, my friends and I had a little party in the lounge. We made sure, somehow, that all of the essentials were there...ie, CAMERAS and CHOCOLATE!!! Saying goodbye to these beautiful people who have touched my heart so very deeply, was not easy. A few of them are actually moving to Boston this summer, which I'm ecstatic about!! The majority, however, I may sadly never see again....in this world anyway...</div><div><br /></div><div>However, I like to remind myself that the the world is round and my future adventures yet unknown! I'm simply going to hope in the possibility that our paths cross unexpectedly someday down the road!</div><div><br /></div><div>As for all of you out there reading, inquiring, and praying, THANK YOU! Unlike my "family" on the Mercy Ship, I will likely be seeing most of you very soon! ( Ps. the last picture is of my bunk. I wanted to show you all how close at heart I was able to keep you as a result of the folder FULL of letters and pictures!!! You'll never know how I looked forward to opening them each day!)</div><div><br /></div><div>Signing off,</div><div>Katie O</div>Katie O'Harahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05343134973749382283noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326339790529557278.post-15749487290098553912008-04-09T09:55:00.000-07:002008-04-09T10:04:11.447-07:00Couple cool shots from the road<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3282/2345801766_55201f0d76_b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3282/2345801766_55201f0d76_b.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2058/2345803070_e80ee0921c_b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2058/2345803070_e80ee0921c_b.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3198/2344977387_667e605933_b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3198/2344977387_667e605933_b.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Just few interesting shots from the road. I was particularly fascinated by the termite hill (photograph #2). It stood nearly eight feet tall and six feet wide! The termites don't actually live in the mound, but rather create the mound as they burrow deep into the red earth. As it turns out, the soil in the termite hills is an excellent material for home building! Many of the locals are able to stay protected and dry by using this unlikely resource as their cement!Katie O'Harahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05343134973749382283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326339790529557278.post-8466259166105787472008-04-09T09:10:00.000-07:002008-04-09T09:54:50.385-07:00A Journey to BeautifulThough I have no photos to share, I wish to paint a mental picture for you of a very special group of women that I had the privilege of caring for over the course of my last two weeks on board the ship. These women, known as our VVF patients, have suffered more atrocities related to their Vaginal Vasicular Fistulas than words can describe. <div><br /></div><div>Essentially, the abbreviation VVF is used to describe the experience of having internal wounds that lead to a life of incontinence. Either planning a family or having been raped during the brutal war, these young women find themselves pregnant without any perinatal care. Remembering that many of these females are small in stature because of their youth and/or years of malnutrition, they often find that labor is complicated. If the infant is too big, or the mother is simply not progressing, the baby gets stuck and dies in the birth canal. The expectant mother, now mourning the loss of the dead child inside, may still be forced to labor for over a week before the lifeless body is passed. This "hard labor" causes a series of tears between either the bladder and the vagina, the rectum and the vagina, or a combination of both. In any case, these young, once vibrant women are left to deal with the humiliation of a life leaking stool and urine. They are often rejected by their husbands, and because of their odor, become outcasts in their own society. Many of these women lose hope and attempt to take their own lives.</div><div><br /></div><div>This is where Mercy Ships offers a glimmer of hope. A special screening takes place, followed by a campaign to restore the lives of these women with corrective surgery. Though the surgery is relatively simple and high tech, success is not a given. In fact, nearly 90% of the women we served were back for a second or third attempt. Scar tissue is often the greatest barrier to such success, as it complicates both access to the fistulas as well as healing post operatively.</div><div><br /></div><div>The VVF women are admitted the night before surgery, are bathed, prayed for, and prepped. Surgery can vary from one hour to five, depending on the severity of the fistulas. Confirmation of success is available within hours of surgery, as either a dye test is administrated or apparent leakage is noted. As you might imagine the post operative hours are incredibly emotional, as we anxiously await the result. </div><div><br /></div><div>It was within these hours that I found myself most challenged. Though we rejoiced with those who were now "dry', we ached for those who would have to face life incontinent once again. I followed these women, some as young as 18 and others as old as 50, throughout their two week post operative stay on board the ship. We got to know and trust each other in ways most never experience. They taught me resilience. They shared strength and perseverance. I only hoped to show them love, respect, and hope.......</div><div><br /></div><div>And speaking of hope, I did get to attend one "dress ceremony" for two of the women I cared closely for. Their surgeries were successful and for the first time in as much as 15 years these two were "dry". Mercy Ships provided them with beautiful new dresses and head pieces. They came into the room dancing and singing praises to God, with the biggest smiles and crocodile tears physically possible. When they finished their dance they each gave their personal testimony of thanksgiving to God for his undying faithfulness in their lives. They were now free....free to resume their place in society...free to dance under the massive African sky....</div>Katie O'Harahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05343134973749382283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326339790529557278.post-82305440327353780122008-04-09T08:19:00.000-07:002008-04-09T09:10:40.737-07:00Firestone<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2046/2345764586_0ed6fbe700_b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2046/2345764586_0ed6fbe700_b.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3127/2345766586_206a7a9e12_b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3127/2345766586_206a7a9e12_b.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3208/2345827484_76936d53e5_b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3208/2345827484_76936d53e5_b.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3190/2345833256_508c4542a7_b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3190/2345833256_508c4542a7_b.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2262/2345832302_deca2d7cb5_b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2262/2345832302_deca2d7cb5_b.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3062/2345003211_ae564f0748_b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3062/2345003211_ae564f0748_b.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2068/2345828450_1ffea88391_b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2068/2345828450_1ffea88391_b.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div>As you can imagine, life on the ship is drastically different from life on the red soil. Though we were indeed docked in Africa, and had many opportunities to serve our Liberian brothers and sisters on board the ship's hospital, one could easily feel isolated from the actual country itself. You could essentially forget that you were in Liberia and miss out on the opportunity to embrace its rich culture. As a result, many of us recognized the need to get off ship and experience the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of land around us. Going to church, shopping in the market, visiting orphanages and schools, guaranteed such exposure. On one such outing, I had the pleasure of visiting the Firestone plant, one of the first American companies to tap into the rich natural resources of Liberia.</div><div><br /></div><div>Firestone, now Called Bridgestone, is a major manufacturer of tires around the world. And Liberia just happens to have one of the largest naturally occuring crop of rubber trees anywhere. An hour and a half drive outside of Monrovia, Firestone owns thousands of acres of rubber trees around which they have built a plantation. Employees work and live on this land in planned "districts" that include homes, schools, churches, markets, and even a golf course (see pictures above). The combination of housing, employment, and breathtaking country side might seems ideal to the outsider. However, I caution you to remember that things are not always what they appear to be. Firestone has had a long history of abusing their employees, forcing them to work long hours for little or no pay. Just a few weeks back, the government was bracing themselves for an uprising of employees who had not been paid by the company in over eight weeks! I ask you then, what is it that differentiates "employment" from indentured servant hood, or even slavery?</div><div><br /></div><div>Needless to say, being at the plant evoked a great deal of internal conflict for me. The grounds were spectacular. The rubber trees were fascinating with their tiny little sap "taps" and unique foliage (the leaves actually grow out of the trunk in some instances, rather than off of the branches.) The opportunity to get off the ship and out of the city was much appreciated. BUT something was haunting me as I walked the winding paths of the EMPTY golf course and SILENT playgrounds. I couldn't help but wonder if these trees could talk, what story would they tell?<br /><br /></div>Katie O'Harahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05343134973749382283noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326339790529557278.post-10531122479573040642008-04-09T07:39:00.000-07:002008-04-09T08:18:54.320-07:00Swab the decks! Hoist the sail! Make way for the President!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2328/2299855371_cd915fbfe1_o.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2328/2299855371_cd915fbfe1_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2244/2323078567_b853d98bd5_o.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2244/2323078567_b853d98bd5_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3076/2323078715_1406676ce0_o.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3076/2323078715_1406676ce0_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2212/2323896548_39a2286060_o.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2212/2323896548_39a2286060_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2336/2323078927_3d44f0f13e_o.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2336/2323078927_3d44f0f13e_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>A couple weeks back the Africa Mercy and her crew had the honor of a presidential visit paid by none other than her excellency, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. It was a real thrill to be on board and experience the preparation and excitement that built with the anticipation of her arrival. It was even more of a privilege to have been able to attend the "private" press conference held on board the ship in our International Lounge. Normally you had to be a permanent crew member or a "distinguished guest" to have attended. However, at the last minute there were a few seats available and I was invited in! The President put her prepared speech in her pocket and admitted that she felt inspired to speak from her heart. What followed was a truly sincere dialogue explaining her vision for the Liberia, as well as her gratefulness to Mercy Ships for their ongoing partnership towards such a shared vision. <div><br /></div><div>I found this woman to have a profound presence and a bleeding heart for her people of Liberia. She spoke and you listened. She dreamed and you believed. She has the overwhelming task of rebuilding a country whose infrastructure has been slowly demolished by years of dictatorship and war. Having learned about her prior to my travel to Liberia, having listened to her televised speeches of the past, and now having had the privilege of experiencing her up close and personal, I have great hope for Liberia! </div><div><br /><div><div><br /></div></div></div>Katie O'Harahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05343134973749382283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326339790529557278.post-29183682441291778932008-03-20T09:48:00.000-07:002008-03-20T10:01:05.964-07:00Not for the faint at heart :)<a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2103/2345772270_98fc51ef2b_b.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2103/2345772270_98fc51ef2b_b.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2228/2345774456_15df980ac7_b.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2228/2345774456_15df980ac7_b.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3251/2345775406_ca970f7b75_b.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3251/2345775406_ca970f7b75_b.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2102/2345777078_04993171e3_b.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2102/2345777078_04993171e3_b.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2055/2344950391_23232a0cea_b.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2055/2344950391_23232a0cea_b.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2021/2345779146_08b79ee51e_b.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2021/2345779146_08b79ee51e_b.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Just a couple of pictures from a recent surgery I scrubbed in on! It was a ressection of an adenocarcinoma of the thyroid. I have plenty more photos, but thought I'd pick the least "offensive" for those of you whose forte' is not blood and guts!</div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Katie O'Harahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05343134973749382283noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326339790529557278.post-84442278823959328502008-03-19T06:19:00.000-07:002008-03-20T09:15:54.230-07:00Long time no blog??Hello !!!<br /><br />Yes, its me! I am indeed alive and well. Contrary to popular belief, I have not been eaten by a pride of lions, fallen to my death from a bananna tree, or been forced to walk the plank into the deep blue abyss! I still have all four limbs and some detectable traces of cerebral activity, allowing me to function at my baseline! :)<br /><br />In all seriousness, I thankyou for your patience as its been well over two weeks since I've last updated my blog. I've been quite busy, working six of seven days for the last couple weeks. As you can imagine its been a very rich time, seeing much and learning even more. My only regret with regard to being able to share all of this with you, is that I'm forced to skim the surface of my experiences by choosing a HANDFUL of the amazing stories I have either witnessed or been a part of. In addition, the "heart" of my mission here in Liberia has taken place in the hospital, at the bedside of many beautiful patients whose privacy I have tried to maintain.<br /><br />That having been said, please allow me to give you an idea of what I've been up to for the last twenty days or so....<br /><br />As you might recall, my first few weeks on board the ship I found myself caring for many thyroidectomy, facial tumor, cleft lip, and hernia patients. Most of these people, though malnurished, were relatively "healthy" and did quite well post operatively. They were often admitted the night before surgery, and were discharged "home" within 2-3days. We had the privilege of providing a great deal of bedside teaching, covering topics of sexual health, personal hygeine, and care of surgical wounds. Once our patients were able to demonstrate an ability to properly care for their new sutures, staples, and dressings, they were discharged home with a followup appointment scheduled one week later.<br /><br />Young and old, their stories varied greatly, but their joy was similarly made complete by the life changing surgeries they recieved. For example, it was incredibly moving to witness a mother's pride when her son Abel, four years old, was able to smile back at her for the FIRST time. He was born with a severe cleft lip and palate, making speech slurred and smiling impossible. Likewise, it was a privilege to see Alysha, age of 12, squeal with excitement as she looked in the mirror to see that for the first time that she had a profile! She was born without a bottom jaw and surgeons created one for her, made of titanium and bone! It was more than heart warming to watch Victor, a 70 yr old veteran, sleeping like a baby on his back for the first time in 15 years. He had been plagued by an enormous, painful, and extremely bloody spinal tumor, which not only disfigured him, but prevented him from ever laying on his bed. And it was truly a "sight for sore eyes" to witness Comfort, age 9, take off the patch to reveal a beautiful new prosthetic eye that replaced the reminants of the infected eye, eaten away by bacteria.<br /><br />Thankfully, this list of celebratory stories goes on and on! Each one of them, in their own way, demonstrating strength, resilience, and sincere gratitude, touching me deeply. However, amongst the crowd, there's always one that leaves a footprint on your heart more profound than the rest. For me, this was Henry. A 21 year old student of Liberia's university, Henry was studying maritime law and sailing. His family had a local shipping business and he had high hopes of taking this industry to new heights. Attending school by day and working side jobs at night, Henry was doing his best to make that dream a reality.<br /><br />Suddenly one day Henry's rigorous routine was interupted by a seemingly innocent toothache. As the days passed and the pain increased beyond the point of bearing , it was clear that he needed to extract the tooth. With only ONE dentist in all of Liberia, servicing several hundred thousand people, and costing far more than Henry's family could afford, he had no choice but to take the tooth out himself. Unfortunately, even with the tooth out the infection spread to his gums, the tissue of his right neck, and was rapidly making its way past the nipples of his chest. Once again, the pain became unbearable and his mental status was rapidly deteriorating as a result of the infection that was overtaking his system. He couldn't stand up on his own, nor could he speak coherently by the time he made his way to our gate late one night.<br /><br />He was immediately placed in the ICU, requiring one to one care for the management of a plumeting blood pressure, horrific wound, and climbing temperature. The rate at which this bacteria was traveling and essentially "eating" his flesh was like nothing I've ever witnessed. By the time I took over on the evening shift, his entire right neck and chest was stripped of the first several layers of skin. His muscle and bone were exposed and there was no telling when or where it would end. He had 6 drains coming out of his mouth and another 12 in his chest to try to manage all of the purulent puss and blood accumulating between the layers of flesh he had remaining. He could barely respond to us and there was frank discussion about the possibility that he may not make it through the night.<br /><br />I entered the isolation room to introduce myself to Henry. I remember thinking that he was too young, too handsome, and had too much to live for NOT to pull through this. When I bent down and took his hand, he looked me in the eyes and I distinctly remember seeing strength deep inside. You've heard it said that the eyes are the gateway tot he soul, and never before was this more true in his case. Though he was too weak to speak, his eyes told me he was somehow strong despite the drains, the blood, the puss, the pain, and the odds piling up against him with every minute that passed. I remember being comforted by that which I saw in his eyes. From that moment on I was committed to do whatever I could to help him return to health and to remind him of the strength he possessed, should he forget. Despite escrutiating pain, lack of sleep, and a completely foreign environment, Henry allowed us to perform the exhausting and painful dressing changes, the puss extractions every couple of hours, and even tolerated five more trips to the O.R. for tissue debridement.<br /><br />Despite the odds, Henry made it through that first night like a champ. He made it through the next night and every one thereafter until he "graduated" from the ICU and joined the general population of patients on the ward. He had a long way to go and many risk factors related to his weakness, the extensive tissue damage, and his ability to regenerate healthy skin to that would protect him from future infection. However, as the days passed, I watched as he began to eat on his own, become more talkative, laugh, and even sing!Eventually he was walking on his own, and high fiving me in the hallway with the biggest, most vibrant smile I'd ever seen. With complete awe, I watched as precious life returned to Henry. I was overjoyed and simultaneously humbled by the memory of the fragility of this same life, demonstrated days before as he lie close to death in front of me.<br /><br />My last interaction with Henry was at church last Sunday morning. We hold a service right in the ward in order that all, healthy or sick, can worship together. Henry and I had the privilege of sitting side by side, lifting our voices together, praising God for the great gifts He had given ...the BOTH of us.Katie O'Harahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05343134973749382283noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326339790529557278.post-56841568715724886952008-03-04T07:10:00.000-08:002008-03-04T08:57:15.340-08:00Tough Times on the WardHello all...<br /><br />Though I've greatly enjoyed reporting to you the wonderful things God is doing here in Liberia, I feel a certain responsibility to also fill you in on some of the recent difficulties we, as a community, have experienced.<br /><br />Last week was a very trying time for the hospital and all who are involved there. Though we are not equipped as an emergency room, we continue to receive patients, in critical condition, who are dropped off at all hours of the night by desperate family members seeking hope. Though we can't possibly help all who come, there are those that we simply can't turn away.<br /><br />Both Sade and Benjamin are two of those cases. Sade, a four year old in severe respiratory distress, was brought to the ship one night by his grandparents. As it turned out, he had a very aggressive type of cancer known as Berkett's lymphoma. Over the course of just TWO SHORT WEEKS he had developed a bowling ball sized tumor on his jaw, which had begun to occlude his airway and suck the life from him. He needed an emergent intervention and was brought directly into surgery. During the operation he suffered a cardiac arrest and after several minutes of CPR was revived. He sustained significant brain damage and was placed on a ventilator for nearly a week, receiving incredible care around the clock. Despite massive efforts and the best we could offer, Sade died Saturday morning.<br /><br />Berkett's Lymphoma, while aggressive, is one of the most CURABLE types of lymphoma, requiring only ONE round of chemo therapy for a lifetime of remission in most cases. Sade simply didn't have access to such medicine and arrived to us a day late and a dollar short, literally.<br /><br />Benjamin, a fourteen year old with a raging eye infection, arrived somulent and non responsive to the ship one evening. Again, his family heard about the Africa Mercy and carried him a great distance in hopes that we could save their dying son. By the time he reached us, this simple eye infection had crossed the blood brain barrier and essentially caused full blown encephalitis, or infection of the brain. Swelling in the brain, massive systemic infection, and hemodynamic instability eventually led to a need for intubation. He remained on a ventilator in the ICU, beside Sade', for nearly a week. In spite of outstanding care and a staff that rallied around eachother to go the extra miles, we lost Benjamin on Sunday morning.<br /><br />Again, the infection in Benjamin's eye would never have gone to his brain had he access to effective health care. Given these social injustices, its very difficult to swallow, never mind digest, losses of this kind. These two young boys were supposed to be out running around with their friends, living out dreams, and becoming the vibrant future of Liberia.<br /><br />In the midst of all of this chaos, I can't help but be reminded of the words to a song by U2, "Where you live should not determine whether you live or whether you die." Bono's right, it SHOULDN'T. But it DOES............<br /><br />So what to take from these heavy stories? Well, many things of course; too many to get into right now. Perhaps the most practical for each of us, however, is based on the understanding that God is sovereign and has GIVEN each of us so very much WITH PURPOSE.....that purpose being that we DO MUCH WITH WHAT WE HAVE. Let this always be the challenge we present to eachother, as we constantly seek to sharpen ourselves into the tools that HE uses to bring hope to the hopeless......<br /><br />Love,<br />KIOKatie O'Harahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05343134973749382283noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326339790529557278.post-61855168126156214002008-03-02T02:15:00.000-08:002008-03-02T03:29:08.911-08:00Screening Day Pictures!<a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3251/2296981310_f6082e81a2_o.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3251/2296981310_f6082e81a2_o.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3090/2296305317_04dab97fa0_o.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3090/2296305317_04dab97fa0_o.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3127/2303656071_9de492b86f_o.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3127/2303656071_9de492b86f_o.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3151/2296305511_a242639e68_o.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3151/2296305511_a242639e68_o.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3034/2297101814_78d8a79b22_o.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3034/2297101814_78d8a79b22_o.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3136/2297102002_24b7c7477e_o.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3136/2297102002_24b7c7477e_o.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2218/2299813237_e5fd89b84e_o.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; 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MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3123/2299854435_7e0c25d9c9_o.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2109/2299854593_3ae585bb32_o.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2109/2299854593_3ae585bb32_o.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2345/2300647442_ec01b02c09_o.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2345/2300647442_ec01b02c09_o.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2304/2300647582_1793e2c4ae_o.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2304/2300647582_1793e2c4ae_o.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3242/2296981058_9abd26653e_o.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3242/2296981058_9abd26653e_o.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3205/2296185067_c94e8eb175_o.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3205/2296185067_c94e8eb175_o.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />It's been said that a picture is worth a thousand words. However, I may have discovered the perfect occasion with which to challenge such a statement. For as powerful as these photos may appear, they pale in comparison to the sights, smells, feelings and touches that being present in this place, allowed. </div><div> </div><div>This day was seared into the fiber of my heart and, thankfully, I will never be the same again because of it.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Katie O'Harahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05343134973749382283noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326339790529557278.post-8793323417700899152008-02-25T08:25:00.001-08:002008-02-25T09:24:43.241-08:00Church.........<a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2269/2291737246_d42c47570f_b.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2269/2291737246_d42c47570f_b.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2137/2291726022_4b8481967f_b.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2137/2291726022_4b8481967f_b.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2398/2291725008_7a3ca7a9bb_b.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2398/2291725008_7a3ca7a9bb_b.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3009/2291723952_5e6ca5872c_b.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3009/2291723952_5e6ca5872c_b.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2017/2290933015_2b8b4d6435_b.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2017/2290933015_2b8b4d6435_b.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2119/2290929761_99820a1f9e_b.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2119/2290929761_99820a1f9e_b.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2388/2290929049_292e7bd44f_b.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2388/2290929049_292e7bd44f_b.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2407/2290927927_616283b76d_b.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2407/2290927927_616283b76d_b.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3101/2290926253_74978c92bc_b.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3101/2290926253_74978c92bc_b.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2354/2291715450_ca5c46131b_b.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2354/2291715450_ca5c46131b_b.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2055/2291714684_0b5a257927_b.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2055/2291714684_0b5a257927_b.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2381/2291713046_87571ea13e_b.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2381/2291713046_87571ea13e_b.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3006/2290922231_77e202039d_b.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3006/2290922231_77e202039d_b.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2326/2291711436_b9dd6e3377_b.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2326/2291711436_b9dd6e3377_b.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2177/2290919385_4a669c7e42_b.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2177/2290919385_4a669c7e42_b.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3054/2290947659_6cc51f60ef_b.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3054/2290947659_6cc51f60ef_b.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3226/2290950263_0730f09cd1_b.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3226/2290950263_0730f09cd1_b.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2050/2291741326_3f2196f67e_b.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2050/2291741326_3f2196f67e_b.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2220/2291742100_e077f6020d_b.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2220/2291742100_e077f6020d_b.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3126/2291742926_aedc048ffc_b.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3126/2291742926_aedc048ffc_b.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2217/2291744166_95abfc8d6e_b.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2217/2291744166_95abfc8d6e_b.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2333/2290954893_f0f8009ae2_b.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2333/2290954893_f0f8009ae2_b.jpg" border="0" /></a> Hello All!</div><div>Thought you might be interested to see some pictures from my latest visit to a church out in the bush. I think I may have uploaded the images backwards, so please bear with me :) The order SHOULD have been such that you could see our course through the outskirts of the city and on out into the country side, ending at the church. It was about an hours drive and well worth every once of the gas. As you can see, the contrast between the city life and the rural life is quite significant. ( I think I would personally like to live in the bush, but that's no surprise to most of you! Its absolutely beautiful, not to mention incredibly peaceful. Its soil is very rich and vegetation lush, making it ideal for farming :) The church we visited there was called Good Shepard Christian Church and has a faithful following from the village its built in , as well as several other neighboring villages. In fact, people begin their 10-15 mile treks to church, on foot, by 6am in order to make it to church by 10am! Oh, and that includes mothers with multiple children in tow! If that isn't dedication, I don't know what is! </div><div> </div><div>I should also mention that although most of these families have few resources, and often very few articles of clothing that even match, Sunday dress is always their very best. Many of the men and women are able to buy beautiful cloth made at the market and taylor themselves amazing dresses, only to be worn to church. I should also mention that the children you see in these photos were just the recipients of a clothing drive and were very proudly wearing their "new" threads!</div><div> </div><div>The church suffered great loss during the war in both physical structure and member casualties. Now, I am excited to report that they are a very healthy community, thriving with MANY young, hopeful children as members! The church has been wise in recognizing that the children are not only the furture of the congregation, but also of Liberia. I had the pleasure of talking, at length, to several young pastors whose hearts overflow with love and dedication for these little ones. They hope to provide sound Christian teaching that will be the cornerstones of the lives they then build upon. One such pastor, Sero, said to me that if he could give these children even as little as five solid years of education, he believed they would be less likely to get involved in crime/drugs, and more able to contribute to the rebuilding of this nation. </div><div> </div><div>The church consists of two separate buildings, one for the children's sunday school and one for the sanctuary. My favorite from the day was of the children being released from Sunday school and running up over the hill to all of us in the sanctuary. I tried to capture it, butin this instance, you just had to be there :)</div><div> </div><div>As an added bonus, we squeezed a young mother and her newborn twins into our vehicle to give her a ride back to her village. She had already walked very far that morning with one slung on her back and the other on her chest. I got to hold one of these little munchkins, named Edwin, the entire ride back! :)</div><div> </div><div>Well, that's all for now. I'll be in touch. Thanks for reading!!!</div><div>Love </div><div>Katie<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Katie O'Harahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05343134973749382283noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326339790529557278.post-62056735450212523272008-02-20T02:07:00.000-08:002008-02-20T08:33:57.255-08:00Screening DayHello everyone! Well, our much anticipated "kick off" day has come and gone. On Monday a "secret army" of blue and white poured down the ship's gangway and into the early morning darkness. Over 150 of us piled into our fleet of landrovers and formed an impressive train that zig-zagged through the rugged streets of the city, headed for the stadium. Most of the city was just waking at this time but from those Liberians that we did encounter along the road, we received shouts of "thanks" and cheers of excitement. It was quite a sight!<br /><br /><br />Upon reaching the stadium, we discovered thousands of Liberians already in line with hopes of being accepted into screening. Many of these people traveled from long distances and even more of them had spent the night sleeping in the dirt lot.<br /><br />We opened the gates at 7am and our pre screeners went to work quickly and compassionately. They had the most difficult job of all, as they had to go out into the crowd and decide who we could help and who we could not. Because we are not truly a hospital, but rather a surgical center, we have a very specific population of people to treat. In particular, we focus on eyes, goiters, hernias, maxofacial tumors, burns, orthopedics, and vaginal vasicular fistula repairs for women.<br /><br />I worked as an escort at the gate and can tell you that it was heart wrenching to watch any of these precious people be turned away. If we discovered that we could not physically treat a person with our limited resources, we brought them to our prayer room where dozens of volunteers offered them spiritual support and hope in their heavenly father.<br /><br /><br />As people were accepted into the stadium I was responsible to guide (or carry) each individual to the appropriate station, be it registration, history and physical, examination, lab, or pharmacy. I saw sights I've never seen before, not will again. I met people unlike any that I've known in my life and admired them all for their resilience. Young and old, male and female, walking, crawling, limping and weak, they came with grateful hearts to seek relief from their suffering. I did my very best to embrace each one of them with welcome and with the knowledge that we were thankful they had come. For some of these people who have become outcasts in their villages because of their ailment, we were the only source of human contact they had in years. Hand shakes, hugs, eye contact, and smiles went a long way to make them feel loved once again.<br /><br /><br />It was ridiculously hot and most of these people came with only the clothes on their backs, and the children in their slings. Despite our attempts to keep things moving, they waited in lines as long as 8hrs before being seen. Still, not one single complaint! <br /><br /><br />We pulled as many of the children out of line as possible and provided them with a shaded play area. We had ballons, bubbles, face-painting, and coloring projects for them. Most important of all, we had praise and worship music for them because they love to dance and sing!! They were absolutely beautiful....cleft lips, tumors, missing limbs, and all.<br /><br /><br />I was in awe of our staff. People from all over the world, speaking many different languages, having completely differnet life experiences, and possessing many different skill sets, all worked together like one fluid body. As I mentioned it was very warm, hours were long, situations with patients were very emotional, and breaks were rare. Still, not once did I see anyone "lose it" with another. Instead, they carried smiles, made themselves available and flexible regardless of the situation, and truly practiced love in action. All of this was more evidence of God's presence at the stadium that day.<br /><br /><br />When the very last patient was seen it was well after sun set. Physically we were exhausted. Emotionally we were drained. And mentally, we had much to process. Wonderful images of hope and healing flooded our minds. While other pictures of sadness and disappointment loomed. Simultaneously however, we were somehow energized and excited by the patients we could now anticipate welcoming aboard the ship in weeks to come. (We booked surgeries Monday through Friday from now until the end of JUNE!)<br /><br /><br />One of the most challenging parts of my day involved and 18yr old girl named Pele'. Two years ago this beautiful young woman came home from school simply complaining that her right leg "hurt" her. She denied having ever experienced any trauma or having had any visable sign of disease at the site of pain. Now, at the gate, I found her screaming in pain as her father tried to carry her inside. I ran over to help him and discovered she had developed one of the most severe conditions I had seen that day. Her right leg's tibial bone was completely and totally hanging outside of her flesh, leaving the "meat" of her calf and what tendons she had left flapping in the breeze. The bone was only attached to her body by the decayed tissue around her ankle. It no longer had communication with her patella (knee). It had clearly been exposed for more than a year this way and the bone had been dying ever since. I suspect she has some type of bone cancer, but will have to wait until the pathology reports come back to be sure.<br /><br />She covered the wound with a very tiny white hankerchief and was engaged in constant battle to keep the flies that swarmed at bay. She was ashamed, embarrassed, and dispondent. She didn't want to even look me in the eye.<br /><br />Knowing that her father couldn't possibly carry her through the 8hr line ahead, I wrapped her leg and placed her in a chair. My friend Baj and I decided to carry her in that chair for the remainder of the day, through that line, as she made her way through each station of screening.<br /><br />I was determined to show her that she could trust us, that we thought she was beautiful, and that God had great things in store for her. After three hours of small talk and many moments of simply standing in silence by her side, I found her smile! By nightfall, she made it through all stations and was given an appointment aboard the ship for May5th. She will lose her leg just above the knee, but will gain freedom from pain and life-threatening infection. Because there are a very high number of amputees in the country, a direct result of the war, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has declared the intent to increase funding to the handicapped of liberia. With any hope, Pele' may then stand a better chance of receiving a prosthesis in the future.<br /><br />Pele's story, as well as so many others we encountered yesterday, seem so very preventable. Without access to basic health care, many of these "minor" conditions turn into major ones that often result in death. This is exactly why our mission here in Liberia is so important. Not only are we hoping to meet immediate needs, but also pour our energy into preventative teaching and training of native health care professionals for the future. By even reading this blog, you are supporting such a critical endeavor and I thankyou from the bottom of my heart!<br /><br /><br />Know that I have many other personal stories and thoughts from the day but have decided to save some of them for a less "public arena". I will have some pictures available in the future but am sincerely trying to be thoughtful with my choices, so as NOT to exploit these poor souls. Knowing that pictures often speak a thousand words, I hope you can understand my decisions with regard to selection. ( I will only post pictures of those who have given me permission to do so.)<br /><br /><br />So.....there's the brief summary of screening day for you..... incredible images seared into my mind's eye forever. MANY people will soon receive the gift of sight, the freedom of walking, and the ability to feel human again. Others who weren't as fortunate and were sent home will be covered in prayer by our hospice teams. ALL, however, were served with the love of Christ and were ministered to in His name.<br /><br /><br /><br />Please keep these precious people in your prayers in the coming weeks.<br />Love,<br />KatieKatie O'Harahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05343134973749382283noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326339790529557278.post-86808149497863451472008-02-20T01:37:00.000-08:002008-02-20T02:05:57.009-08:00Tour of the Hospital!<a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2361/2262748068_c942f92299_b.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2361/2262748068_c942f92299_b.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2416/2262748820_6802496801_b.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2416/2262748820_6802496801_b.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2241/2261958743_1e2e62afda_b.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2241/2261958743_1e2e62afda_b.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2152/2261961123_dd095aee29_b.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2152/2261961123_dd095aee29_b.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2374/2262758214_dc14d5fbbe_b.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2374/2262758214_dc14d5fbbe_b.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2407/2261968383_7f8e1f7f75_b.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2407/2261968383_7f8e1f7f75_b.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2067/2261969011_6841f75f7a_b.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2067/2261969011_6841f75f7a_b.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2234/2261969691_dc913ac764_b.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2234/2261969691_dc913ac764_b.jpg" border="0" /></a> If you care to keep track: 1) Our Intensive Care Unit (only 3 beds!) 2) and 3) Our general patient wards. Men, women ad children share the same rooms. 4) "Squattie Potty" ...as the name suggests! Folks here are not familiar with the toilets we know at home. The squattie potty was suggested for their comfort while in the hospital. 5) and 6) X-ray room. 7) Vaginal vesicular fistula OR. 8) General surgery OR.</div><div> </div><div>Mercy Ships has been greatly blessed, as you can see, with more high tech equipment and space than they've ever had in the ship's 30 year history.When refurbishing this old ferry ship, designers had the patients greatest comforts in mind. Many of the patients we serve don't have the luxury of running water or electricity ( The country doesn't have a public system for either yet) , never mind airconditioning! We hope to make their stay as comfortable and effecient as possible :)</div><div> </div><div> <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Katie O'Harahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05343134973749382283noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326339790529557278.post-39204387023592014122008-02-20T01:10:00.000-08:002008-02-20T01:37:01.113-08:00The view from here....<a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2002/2262770046_fd98e3e551_b.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2002/2262770046_fd98e3e551_b.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2382/2262772348_ab0f8ff9a8_b.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2382/2262772348_ab0f8ff9a8_b.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2184/2261982019_edfb5bee2b.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2184/2261982019_edfb5bee2b.jpg" border="0" /></a> Here's a peak at some of the views from the deck. 1) One of the many cargo ships coming and going from the port we are docked in. 2) Our dock, complete with its collection of over 20 Land Rovers. 3) The Nepal division of the UN compound behind the ship. (They guard our dock and have been known to engage us in a competitive game of soccer or two!)<br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Katie O'Harahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05343134973749382283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326339790529557278.post-27332119075108618732008-02-16T10:55:00.000-08:002008-02-16T11:38:47.853-08:00Dress Blues...and more....<div align="center"> Thought you might enjoy a peak at one of our six Operating Rooms, otherwise known as "Theatres" here on the ship!</div><br /><br /><br /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 316px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="205" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2234/2261969691_dc913ac764.jpg" border="0" /><br /><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2289/2268854527_3db42a0399_o.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2289/2268854527_3db42a0399_o.jpg" border="0" /></a>Introducing my nursing team from around the globe! A beautiful sight if I don't say so myself! (Representing England, Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, South Africa, Whales, USA, Canada, Norway, Holland, New Zealand, Australia, and Germany)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div>Katie O'Harahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05343134973749382283noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326339790529557278.post-13768652547851058672008-02-13T02:16:00.000-08:002008-02-13T02:46:19.998-08:00Visuals!!!<a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2383/2258430982_9a2eed24fb_b.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2383/2258430982_9a2eed24fb_b.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I thought you might enjoy a picture of the ship...she's a beauty isn't she? The hospital is pretty much underwater right now, but we're working hard to get 'er up and running! (Just kidding! This is actually a picture of the sunken carrier just outside my door. )Katie O'Harahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05343134973749382283noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326339790529557278.post-43995573210792930352008-02-11T08:17:00.000-08:002008-02-11T08:19:41.342-08:00Photos...Hello again! I forgot to mention that I am currently having technical difficulties with the picture upload process. We're working on it continuously and hope to have pictures added to this site by the end of the week!<br /><br />KatieKatie O'Harahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05343134973749382283noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326339790529557278.post-46315683179351817192008-02-11T07:08:00.000-08:002008-02-11T08:11:30.149-08:00Greetings From Liberia!<span style="font-family:courier new;">Greetings family and friends!</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">I thought I'd take a moment to let you know I've arrived safe and sound, after a 28hr journey, and am loving my new home away from home! The ship is absolutely amazing, as are the people who inhabit it. There are so very many beautiful new faces, each with their own story to tell, and I find myself eager soak up all that each of them is willing to share.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Courier New;">I'm currently living on deck three, the same deck the hospital is located on, which makes for the shortest "commute" to work I've ever known!! I'm sharing a tiny little cabin with four other women from around the globe and, though we are literally on top of eachother, we are having a great time together. My bunk mate is from England, and the others are from Germany, Switzerland, and various parts of South Africa. As you can imagine, this interesting mix makes for great pillow talk! :)</span><br /><span style="font-family:Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Courier New;">As nurses, we have plenty of work cut out for us this week, preparing the hospital and wards for our incoming patients of the next week. Because the ship has recently sailed from the canary islands, all of the hospital had to be broken down and secured for the journey. Now that we've reached our destination, we must reassemble and organize everything. We'll also be setting up tents out in the city of Monrovia for a special two-day screening event in the capitol's new outdoor arena. It's here that all Liberians are invited to visit, most standing in line for hours with hopes that we might be able to help them or their loved ones. Its unclear right now how many people we will see, but numbers have climbed into the thousands on past screening days. Please pray for resourcefulness and compassion as we attempt to assist as many as possible, knowing that we will be broken-hearted to have to turn away even one.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Courier New;">Yesterday (Feb 10) I had the pleasure of experiencing church "Liberian Style"! I hopped in the back of a Landrover and treked on through the city, and on out into the countryside to visit the International Church of Monrovia. Its a small church, initially established by missionaries from around the world. Unfortunately, the war forced many to flee for their lives and the church virtually collapsed. Today, under Liberian leadership, this small community, who has seen so very much suffering, is thriving once again! They are praising God for their lives and for the chance to share the hope of the gospel with those who have not yet heard its life-saving message. They are a true inspiration!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Courier New;">Being an Irish-American, I couldn't help but stand out in the crowd made up of my darker skinned brothers and sisters :) Rather than alienate me, however, they went out of their way to welcome us to their place of worship. Their beaming white smiles, generous handshakes and hugs were simply precious. What a gift it was to experience unity as God's children regardless of time, space, or color! I found this particularly illustrated by the fact that we clearly understood a universal language of love, known as the gospel, and could even break into hymns familiar from home, half way around the globe! It was a real privilege to be their guest and I sincerely hope I will get to go back.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Courier New;">I am very eager to get things underway with regard to medical care and surgeries, as I am certain it will offer me the privilege of caring intimately for a people who have virtually been forgotten. This country has been absolutely dessimated by the war, and the destruction of any internal infrastructure. Liberians are living (and dying) without access to clean water, basic medical care, or proper nutrition. What appears most heart wrenching about it all, is that so many of this suffering appears so preventable in the day and age within which we live.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Courier New;">Of note, a fairly large transport vessel was seized this weekend for an exorbanant amount of cocaine. It is now guarded by UN forces and sits about 10 yards from my window....again "we're not in Kansas anymore Toto"!!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Courier New;">Well, I suppose that's all for now. I promise I won't always post marathon messages. I just wanted to catch you up to speed with what's been going on since I left. Thank you once again for your supportive hearts and for your general interest in the details of this unfolding dream!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Courier New;">Love katie</span>Katie O'Harahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05343134973749382283noreply@blogger.com1