Food Poisoning - Oct2010

Haiti Journal – October 29, 2010

Food Poisoning

I haven’t kept up with journals very well at all and this week, I decided it was time to capture on a weekly (if not daily) basis the details of our lives in Haiti.  It’s difficult to recount all the events, because every day in Haiti brings another adventure.  I’m not saying this in a bad way at all.  As a matter of fact, some people say that we create our own adventures, however, I feel that we are just presented with an opportunity that can’t be passed up, with some exceptions of course.  Today is one of those exceptions!  Perhaps I should rewind the week / past weeks events so you understand the impact of today’s episodes.

Haiti has hit the news again!  Cholera outbreak!!! How much does a country have to endure?  Julio and I were totally unaware of the outbreak until our buddy Max informed us.  Then the e-mails from home started coming.  We are in Petionville, which is where they are worried the epidemic may spread, however, so far the cholera outbreak has been pretty much contained to the north.  It’s pretty sad that cholera has to claim the lives of so many people especially when the cure is very simple!  We have not been too concerned about ourselves as we have been taking extra precautions to ensure we stay away from the areas and that we use lots of antibacterial hand wash!  We are fine!!!

 Well that’s what I thought anyway!   (Don’t worry ….. it’s not cholera!)

Our day started off just fine, which means “very busy”.   At the end of the day, we were both tired and stopped at a local restaurant to catch a bit to eat.  You know those days when nothing seems appealing but you know you need to eat something? Yup…it was one of those days.   For Julio and I, we laugh when go to the local establishments because what is on the menu is rarely available for ordering.  After a few attempts at ordering: ‘oh sorry, we don’t have that!”, I decided on just a chicken sandwich.  Well.  Apparently they didn’t have that either because they brought a ‘ham sandwich’.  I think my stomach was already starting to act up because I couldn’t bring myself to eat it.  Because it was their mistake, they took it upon themselves to bring me ‘acra’ which is a local dish typically served as an appetizer.  It is really good, however that day, I didn’t’ want anything deep fried.  I ate it anyway because they were kind enough to offer it to me.  Instead of boring you with petty details, I’ll just get to the point.  We left the restaurant with the cozy atmosphere (but no food) and found a different place where I ordered a burger.  It tasted really good and was the best ‘bigger than bun’ burger I have had in Haiti!  Hmmmm.

That’s what I thought anyway!!

Bed at 11:00.  Awakened at 12:00!  Whatever was in my stomach was not going to stay and it decided the best escape would be BOTH ENDS!  Hmmmm…Cholera???  NO!  I really didn’t believe that I had it, however while I was preoccupied talking to “JOHN”, Julio was looking up symptons on the internet!  I knew something wasn’t right plus…I knew I needed some help so Julio drove me straight to the hospital.  Wouldn’t you know it…..the hospital is Canadian run!  My diagnosis……”FOOD POISONING!!”   DAMN…..I really liked that burger and I’m still not convinced it was the beef that did it.  Anyway, I was totally impressed by the service at the hospital. They admitted me immediately and started an IV.  Julio stayed with me all night (thanks sweety!) and shared my hospital bed!  I’m lucky to have that man!!!

Finally after 14 hours after another followup checkup and after establishing the fact that we now have a really good doctor in Haiti, I was released.  The end of the story?  NO!!  It seems there is always more with Julio and I.  We pay our bill and are heading for the door.  Through the glass, we can see a mother holding a young boy…a very typical sight in Port-au-Prince.  Julio commented that they are ready and waiting for me, because I am a blonde foreigner who is there to hand out money.

That what we thought anyway!  WRONG!

We quickly realized the young boy had a problem and needed medical attention!  His mother removed the cloth that the boy was holding to his face to reveal his lip, split wide open!  Of course, he was not admitted to the hospital because his mother had no money to pay.  Isn’t Alberta Health Care wonderful!!!  Of course Julio and I could not leave them there like that, so one sick person in the front and the injured boy in the back; we drive to another hospital.  We found out it would cost 1500 gourdes which is the equivalent of $35 US.  We happened to have that in our wallet so paid for them and set out on our merry way!  The lady was in tears before but now just showed such appreciation.  All she said was, “God sent you to me”.  THANK YOU!

DID HE?  Funny that the first person she sees is us and the first person we see coming out is that little boy in need!  HMMMMMM!  Best hospital experience I have ever had!  I know Julio will attest to that!