Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Sweet Ema Elena
Just got word that Ema Elena passed away last Thursday night. She left for the hospital on her birthday, February 14th and we didn't see her the last week. At that time she had a fever and was having more seizures. No word yet on the specific cause of death. She had spastic cerebral palsy, still this was quite unexpected. Her father visited her while we were there. Here are some of her from the last 2 weeks of her life.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Not Home Yet!
My travel luck is hitting a rough spot again. My flight today from Frankfurt to SFO was canceled due to mechanical difficulties. So United put us up in a hotel near the airport for tonight. We just found out at dinner that the plan won't be repaired for tomorrow so they are going to try to get people on standby flights through WA DC or Chicago tomorrow. The letter they gave everyone said there is a Lufthansa pilots strike so they expect a lot of no shows on flights to the US and think they can get people on plans. Now, don't you think that if Lufthansa flights are canceled that the United flights will get filled up? I don't understand it.
So, taking matters in to my own hands and thanks to Skype I called United reservations. Turns out since my original ticket was for a Continental flight operated by United they can get me on a 1:50 pm Continental flight to Houston that will then connect me to an SFO flight getting me in at 9:46 pm SF time. It will be a lot of flight time but at least it is a sure thing rather than taking a chance on stand by and getting stuck in Frankfurt for another night. I packed my warm coat so I definitely am not up to any sightseeing in Frankfurt!
Wish me luck!
So, taking matters in to my own hands and thanks to Skype I called United reservations. Turns out since my original ticket was for a Continental flight operated by United they can get me on a 1:50 pm Continental flight to Houston that will then connect me to an SFO flight getting me in at 9:46 pm SF time. It will be a lot of flight time but at least it is a sure thing rather than taking a chance on stand by and getting stuck in Frankfurt for another night. I packed my warm coat so I definitely am not up to any sightseeing in Frankfurt!
Wish me luck!
Friday, February 19, 2010
Farewell to Tutova
I can't believe this is our last day at the clinic. Despite some minor discomforts, the time goes really quickly - probably because we have such busy days. Today was a day for getting in those last minute hugs and kisses with the babies, finishing writing in the individual journals that the teams keep on each baby, our good-bye party with the clinic staff, and oh yes, packing! At least my suitcase will be much lighter going home without all the donations for the clinic.
Speaking of which, I finished spending all the donation money I was given last night. Made another trip to the pharmacy for medicine the clinic needed, bought some supplies for the clinic, and stocked up on yogurt, baby food, disposable diapers and baby wipes - especially since there won't be a team after us. Want to make sure the babies get their special snacks and stay clean and healthy! Thanks so much to everyone for their contributions.
We went for our last dinner in Barlad last night to a new restaurant called Trattoria Da Vinci. As you might expect it is Italian food and it was wonderful. It was the best food I have ever had here. Almost as good as Pane e Vino on Union Street.
The day was a blur trying to spend time with all of the children in all of the various playrooms, sick rooms, isolation, etc. A few things of note from yesterday and today: Saw Maria Cleopatra being fed sitting up in the aide's lap yesterday. I don't know that they are doing it all of the time but I bet it helps keep more milk in her than outside of her. I realized Mihaela is saying "bravo" now - I thought it was ba ba or something to that effect. Ion circumnavigated the isolation room today holding on to a crib, wall or sink with one hand and a maraca in the other hand. Andrei got out of isolation and then put back in. Not sure what is going on with him. He and Andreea were chatting over their adjoining cribs in the sick room when I went in there today. Denisa projectile vomited today - hope she isn't getting sick. Cristi stands up in his crib when he thinks no one is looking. Apparently Alexandra is asserting that strong will of hers and is refusing to suck on her bottle and wants someone to squeeze it for her. At our good bye party today with the aides Andreea (a guest) picked up a little cake and ate it. It is so rare for these kids to know how to eat with their fingers - they eat from bottles and spoons but little solid food and no finger food.
At the end of the day today, Dr. Delia came to say good bye and thank you. She had been to Vaslui, the county seat, for some meetings about the hospital. Apparently the Health Dept. is restructuring some things and they are going to move the acute pediatric section of the hospital in Tutova to Barlad. (This does not affect the pediatric recovery clinic where we volunteer.) I suspect this is based on numbers and probably makes sense from an efficiency standpoint. Dr. Delia is concerned, though, that the poor families in Tutova and surrounding villages who have a pediatric emergency will have a hard time getting their children to the hospital in Barlad. This is probably the kind of thing that happens to medical care in rural areas all over the world.
Our train leaves tomorrow at 7:00 am for Bucharest and we leave the hotel for the train at 6:15 am. Rosie, Caroline and I are taking the train by ourselves as there isn't another team following us. We will get a taxi at the train station that will take them to the airport and me to a hotel by the airport that I've stayed at before. Getting a taxi in Bucharest is always an adventure due to all the scams. Wish us luck. Since I should arrive at my hotel by 12:30 or so I may take a taxi back into town for some sightseeing although that will depend on how I feel. Frankly, I've seen most of the sites but one thing I haven't seen is the Patriarchal Cathedral. If I'm not too tired I may try to do that. The challenges of not getting ripped off by a taxi driver, or finding a decent taxi, tend to discourage these kinds of trips.
I'll be home Sunday night. Will post more pictures after my return when internet is not so slow and I don't have to wake up at 5:45 a.m. Not sure when my next visit to Tutova will be but I'm bringing Romanian money home so you can be guaranteed I will return.
Speaking of which, I finished spending all the donation money I was given last night. Made another trip to the pharmacy for medicine the clinic needed, bought some supplies for the clinic, and stocked up on yogurt, baby food, disposable diapers and baby wipes - especially since there won't be a team after us. Want to make sure the babies get their special snacks and stay clean and healthy! Thanks so much to everyone for their contributions.
We went for our last dinner in Barlad last night to a new restaurant called Trattoria Da Vinci. As you might expect it is Italian food and it was wonderful. It was the best food I have ever had here. Almost as good as Pane e Vino on Union Street.
The day was a blur trying to spend time with all of the children in all of the various playrooms, sick rooms, isolation, etc. A few things of note from yesterday and today: Saw Maria Cleopatra being fed sitting up in the aide's lap yesterday. I don't know that they are doing it all of the time but I bet it helps keep more milk in her than outside of her. I realized Mihaela is saying "bravo" now - I thought it was ba ba or something to that effect. Ion circumnavigated the isolation room today holding on to a crib, wall or sink with one hand and a maraca in the other hand. Andrei got out of isolation and then put back in. Not sure what is going on with him. He and Andreea were chatting over their adjoining cribs in the sick room when I went in there today. Denisa projectile vomited today - hope she isn't getting sick. Cristi stands up in his crib when he thinks no one is looking. Apparently Alexandra is asserting that strong will of hers and is refusing to suck on her bottle and wants someone to squeeze it for her. At our good bye party today with the aides Andreea (a guest) picked up a little cake and ate it. It is so rare for these kids to know how to eat with their fingers - they eat from bottles and spoons but little solid food and no finger food.
At the end of the day today, Dr. Delia came to say good bye and thank you. She had been to Vaslui, the county seat, for some meetings about the hospital. Apparently the Health Dept. is restructuring some things and they are going to move the acute pediatric section of the hospital in Tutova to Barlad. (This does not affect the pediatric recovery clinic where we volunteer.) I suspect this is based on numbers and probably makes sense from an efficiency standpoint. Dr. Delia is concerned, though, that the poor families in Tutova and surrounding villages who have a pediatric emergency will have a hard time getting their children to the hospital in Barlad. This is probably the kind of thing that happens to medical care in rural areas all over the world.
Our train leaves tomorrow at 7:00 am for Bucharest and we leave the hotel for the train at 6:15 am. Rosie, Caroline and I are taking the train by ourselves as there isn't another team following us. We will get a taxi at the train station that will take them to the airport and me to a hotel by the airport that I've stayed at before. Getting a taxi in Bucharest is always an adventure due to all the scams. Wish us luck. Since I should arrive at my hotel by 12:30 or so I may take a taxi back into town for some sightseeing although that will depend on how I feel. Frankly, I've seen most of the sites but one thing I haven't seen is the Patriarchal Cathedral. If I'm not too tired I may try to do that. The challenges of not getting ripped off by a taxi driver, or finding a decent taxi, tend to discourage these kinds of trips.
I'll be home Sunday night. Will post more pictures after my return when internet is not so slow and I don't have to wake up at 5:45 a.m. Not sure when my next visit to Tutova will be but I'm bringing Romanian money home so you can be guaranteed I will return.
Marius before going to the hospital
Marius dressed for the trip to the hospital
Roxana and Petre playing
Celine making friends with Denisa
Mihaela and Gabriela (twins)
Ion and his maraca
Gabriela in a fashionable animal print sleeper
Roxana
Daria Roxana
Denisa
Alexandra and her books
Lea Celine
Roxana - note the R on her hand; Andreea now has an A on her hand
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Daniela's 1st Birthday!
Yes, today is Daniela's first birthday celebrated with a special outfit courtesy of Caroline, a cake we bought at Berlin last night and a party in the pre-school room in the afternoon. The guest list was somewhat limited due to so many kids being sick and in isolation but I believe the guest of honor had a lovely time - see pix below.
Today was also hair cutting today for some of the children. Not Dan cutting with a razor as I've witnessed before but Stella, an aide, cutting with scissors. Lea Celine sat perfectly still while Gabriela cried throughout and Paula screamed bloody murder. You'll see after pix of Celine below butI ddin't get a change to get an after picture of Paula or Gaby.
There was a more complicated head shaving procedure that went on with Maria Cleopatra. I don't know if they have to shave around her head wounds or what but there was the razor, gloves, and all kinds of sanitary stuff out for her procedure. I visited her before and afterward and didn't notice any big difference as she doesn't have much hair anyway.
A different doctor came this afternoon to the clinic and checked out a bunch of the kids. Mobile Andreea got released from isolation but Twin Andreea, baby Roxana, Marius, Andrei, and Sami are still in isolation in rooms and Ion, Victor and Daria Roxana are in isolation off the nurse's station. I spent some time with everyone today but it is hard to spread three of us around the kids in so many different places. There were a bunch of aides there today though so that helped.
Lea Celine spent some time in the non mobile room and sat in the "kicker" bouncy chair. She was really moving her legs in it which is good for her as I think the doctors want her to be getting more leg strength after her last orthopedic surgeries.
I'm sure there is some other news but it eludes me - oh yes, the weather report. Fog all day and rain this afternoon leading to a muddy path for the walk back to the hotel tonite. Only 2 days left!
Today was also hair cutting today for some of the children. Not Dan cutting with a razor as I've witnessed before but Stella, an aide, cutting with scissors. Lea Celine sat perfectly still while Gabriela cried throughout and Paula screamed bloody murder. You'll see after pix of Celine below butI ddin't get a change to get an after picture of Paula or Gaby.
There was a more complicated head shaving procedure that went on with Maria Cleopatra. I don't know if they have to shave around her head wounds or what but there was the razor, gloves, and all kinds of sanitary stuff out for her procedure. I visited her before and afterward and didn't notice any big difference as she doesn't have much hair anyway.
A different doctor came this afternoon to the clinic and checked out a bunch of the kids. Mobile Andreea got released from isolation but Twin Andreea, baby Roxana, Marius, Andrei, and Sami are still in isolation in rooms and Ion, Victor and Daria Roxana are in isolation off the nurse's station. I spent some time with everyone today but it is hard to spread three of us around the kids in so many different places. There were a bunch of aides there today though so that helped.
Lea Celine spent some time in the non mobile room and sat in the "kicker" bouncy chair. She was really moving her legs in it which is good for her as I think the doctors want her to be getting more leg strength after her last orthopedic surgeries.
I'm sure there is some other news but it eludes me - oh yes, the weather report. Fog all day and rain this afternoon leading to a muddy path for the walk back to the hotel tonite. Only 2 days left!
Daniela in her special outfit
Party time!
Her cake
With Malika the pre school teacher
The birthday girl with Rosie
Paula hanging out...of a crib in Maria's room
Andreea chewing on my camera case
A smile from Maria Cleopatra
Sami is still in isolation in his crib
Ion happy to see a visitor in isolation
Celine post-haircut
Celine in the kicker chair in the non mobile room
Gaby did not enjoy her haircut
Roxana
Andreea in the isloation room
Roxana in the isolation room - she likes the monkey
Andrei and Marius exploring in their isolation room
Andrei and Andreea taking her sheet off her crib in the isolation room
Marius still doesn't feel well
Andrei in isolation but seems to feel better
Roxana and Petre playing
Mihaela
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Hot and Cold
We spend the days inside the playroom sweating and then bundle up to go outside. The Romanians would say that is why I caught a cold, or that it is because I wash my hair in the morning. Forget about those germs. Anyway, I am feeling better but did buy some cold medicine at the pharmacy tonite when we went in to Barlad for shopping and dinner.
It was my turn to write about today in our team journal and I decided to change it up and wrote about the day backwards starting with tonight and then going to this morning. I'm not sure my brain is up to repeating that in this posting.
We did have a nice dinner in Barlad at a restaurant I hadn't been to before called Garamonda. We went to the Berlin market in the northern part of town to get a birthday cake for Daniela for tomorrow and the restaurant was near there. I had pizza vegetal and the vegetal included red peppers, olives, mushrooms, corn, carrrots and peas. It was actually quite tasty. Before going to dinner in addition to going to the farmacia we went and bought two plastic garbage cans for the clinic. The head nurse is giving us a list of more things to buy tomorrow so I can spend all my donation money before I leave.
Daria Roxana was back at the clinic when we arrived this morning. At first we thought maybe she didn't have her surgery because her cleft palate lip looked the same. We found out that they did the palate repair first rather than the usual doing the lip repair in the first surgery and the palate repair in a second surgery. Of course she is in the isolation room near the nurse's office along with Victor and Ion. Ion is up to his old tricks blowing kisses and trying to take his sleeper off. It was pinned when I went in there after lunch.
Found out that today (or was it yesterday?) is Maria Cleopatra's first year anniversary of being at the clinic. Apparently it is unusual for a baby with hydrocephalus to live this long. Her birthday is July 26, 2008 so that makes her almost 19 months old if I'm doing my math right. I was visiting with her after lunch when they brought the 3:00 bottle in and I had a hard time feeding her and went and got Caroline. When you get the nipple in her mouth most of the milk runs down her chin rather than going inside. Caroline said she had the same problem.
Twin Andreea was in isolation in her crib this morning but they let us take her into the playroom this afternoon. She has had a really runny nose so I guess she has the same cold the other babies (and I) have. This afternoon a bunch of the babies were shuttled one by one wrapped up in winter coats to the main hospital in front to see the visiting doctor. It was a bit unclear to me why the doctor didn't just come back to the clinic building instead of the aides walking back and forth with sick babies in the cold. Ours is not to reason why.
Cristi stood for longer than I've ever seen him stand today. I "walked" him over holding his fingers to see Petre in the jumperoo. Petre is his buddy and the only other boy in the room. Crisit stood there looking at Petre for the longest time even when I let go of his hands and he was just kind of leaning against my legs. A few times his knees started to buckle and rather than doing his usual dropping to the floor he straightened right up. Usually he is on his back on the floor laughing to himself or hanging on to the bouncy chairs looking at the babies and it is hard to get him engaged doing something else so these small steps are noticeable.
And Gaby who likes to put her chin and face on a ball while you pound on it (so she can feel the vibrations) actually took to banging on the ball herself a few times today. Haven't seen that before either! Also, Denisa sat in the bumper chair for quite awhile looking at twin Roxana and everyone around her.
I visited the mobile room but neglected to bring my camera so no pix of those kids today. I did my usual bouncing them on my legs and threw Alina up in the air (she weighs 12 pounds) and danced around with the others. Alexandra gets right in line for these events as she loves being jiggled and tickled. Apparently her leg is bothering her as she hasn't been walking.
It is interesting to watch these kids progress and then sometimes take a step or two backwards or go through "stages." For example, Daniela who was always smiling in October is now falling apart and crying more - I think when she gets tired or hungry but also when she needs attention. And Lea Celine another usually happy camper is also needing more attention and starting to rival Paula for loudest screamer in the group. (Paula still wins that one.)
Enough updates and here are some pix.
It was my turn to write about today in our team journal and I decided to change it up and wrote about the day backwards starting with tonight and then going to this morning. I'm not sure my brain is up to repeating that in this posting.
We did have a nice dinner in Barlad at a restaurant I hadn't been to before called Garamonda. We went to the Berlin market in the northern part of town to get a birthday cake for Daniela for tomorrow and the restaurant was near there. I had pizza vegetal and the vegetal included red peppers, olives, mushrooms, corn, carrrots and peas. It was actually quite tasty. Before going to dinner in addition to going to the farmacia we went and bought two plastic garbage cans for the clinic. The head nurse is giving us a list of more things to buy tomorrow so I can spend all my donation money before I leave.
Daria Roxana was back at the clinic when we arrived this morning. At first we thought maybe she didn't have her surgery because her cleft palate lip looked the same. We found out that they did the palate repair first rather than the usual doing the lip repair in the first surgery and the palate repair in a second surgery. Of course she is in the isolation room near the nurse's office along with Victor and Ion. Ion is up to his old tricks blowing kisses and trying to take his sleeper off. It was pinned when I went in there after lunch.
Found out that today (or was it yesterday?) is Maria Cleopatra's first year anniversary of being at the clinic. Apparently it is unusual for a baby with hydrocephalus to live this long. Her birthday is July 26, 2008 so that makes her almost 19 months old if I'm doing my math right. I was visiting with her after lunch when they brought the 3:00 bottle in and I had a hard time feeding her and went and got Caroline. When you get the nipple in her mouth most of the milk runs down her chin rather than going inside. Caroline said she had the same problem.
Twin Andreea was in isolation in her crib this morning but they let us take her into the playroom this afternoon. She has had a really runny nose so I guess she has the same cold the other babies (and I) have. This afternoon a bunch of the babies were shuttled one by one wrapped up in winter coats to the main hospital in front to see the visiting doctor. It was a bit unclear to me why the doctor didn't just come back to the clinic building instead of the aides walking back and forth with sick babies in the cold. Ours is not to reason why.
Cristi stood for longer than I've ever seen him stand today. I "walked" him over holding his fingers to see Petre in the jumperoo. Petre is his buddy and the only other boy in the room. Crisit stood there looking at Petre for the longest time even when I let go of his hands and he was just kind of leaning against my legs. A few times his knees started to buckle and rather than doing his usual dropping to the floor he straightened right up. Usually he is on his back on the floor laughing to himself or hanging on to the bouncy chairs looking at the babies and it is hard to get him engaged doing something else so these small steps are noticeable.
And Gaby who likes to put her chin and face on a ball while you pound on it (so she can feel the vibrations) actually took to banging on the ball herself a few times today. Haven't seen that before either! Also, Denisa sat in the bumper chair for quite awhile looking at twin Roxana and everyone around her.
I visited the mobile room but neglected to bring my camera so no pix of those kids today. I did my usual bouncing them on my legs and threw Alina up in the air (she weighs 12 pounds) and danced around with the others. Alexandra gets right in line for these events as she loves being jiggled and tickled. Apparently her leg is bothering her as she hasn't been walking.
It is interesting to watch these kids progress and then sometimes take a step or two backwards or go through "stages." For example, Daniela who was always smiling in October is now falling apart and crying more - I think when she gets tired or hungry but also when she needs attention. And Lea Celine another usually happy camper is also needing more attention and starting to rival Paula for loudest screamer in the group. (Paula still wins that one.)
Enough updates and here are some pix.
Yesterday, the drive up to the clinic
Ion, happy to be "home"
Denisa and Roxana (did I post this already?)
Gaby and playroom
Denisa with the Lamb Chop puppet I brought trip before last
(Remember, Shari Lewis?)
Dan feeding Alexandra
Nurse Vali in the isolation room
Cristi bouncing Roxana in the bouncy chair
Rosie and Gabriela
Denisa sitting pretty
Rosie and Roxana
Roxana
Blurry picture of Andreea - she blinks when the flash goes off so I turned off the flash
Outside the gate to the clinic - a horse patiently waiting
My slippers and colorful socks (socks courtesy of Paula Elliott!)
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