My flight leaves at 6am, in less than 9 hours. I'm excited, but also a bit nervous. I have not worked in a clinic for over 11 years. I have no experience with tropical or third world medicine. I have never been on a medical mission trip. In fact, I have never even traveled overseas! I don't speak Creole. Haiti is not a particularly safe place. However, the sponsor for the clinic where I will be working, Heart to Heart International, seems very well organized. There is a comfortable and safe place for me to stay, there will be security and translators, and I will be with other medical professionals more experienced in this type of work who I am sure will be willing to provide guidance. The clinic's full time medical director is a Haitian doctor. And it will be a long flight -- I will have plenty of time to study Handbook of Medicine in Developing Countries by Palmer and Wolf, the suggested reading for novices.
I have never blogged before, so be patient with me!
I am transporting 50 pounds of medical supplies for HHI.
I spent a large part of the day purchasing a notebook computer and figuring out how to use Google video chat. (Joey gets credit for talking me through how to get that done.) At least I will be able to stay in touch with Leslie and the kids while I am gone.
I better get to bed. 3:15 is just around the corner.
Tom
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