We are settling into our routine. I miss the restaurant at the Raluca; in fact I miss the Raluca. But the hospital work is actually easier as there are fewer children to care for and we can give them more individual attention. There are 3 babies in isolation who may join us at the end of the week and if that happens we will be busier!
As for the children we do have:
Delia continues to have a fever but is relatively good natured despite not felling well. She has an IV port or whatever they call it in her head because she doesn't have arms. I did see today that she has one malformed leg with 3 toes. Despite her physical challenges she seems pretty sharp. She is babbling and rolling herself over and back without assistance!
Gaby is still Gaby in terms of her likes and dislikes but is much more engaged. I can't believe she is eating from a spoon. Reni, the speech therapist on our team, is feeding her. Gaby even seems to enjoy our frequent strolls down the hall.
Ionut has been cranky. Just wants to be left alone. I worry that he gets left alone a lot at the placement center.
Cleo is a delight. I don't know if the shunt helped or if it is that she is getting more attention - probably both. Anyway she is eating better and smiling a lot. She loves the vibrations from the exercise ball and was laughing today. Too funny.
Kristen had Alina saying "I love you" pretty clearly today. Alina is so much calmer. I think she does better with less competition from the other kids and more attention. Renee had her playing with blocks and Louisa is teaching her Romanian folk dancing! Our little mimic.
I learned today that Andrei entered the hospital only a few says before our arrival. He was found in a barn with the dogs and animals on his parent's property. Wonder if they were ashamed of having a disabled child and hiding him away. He has a great smile and we are learning about him as he learns about us. We saw a big difference just between yesterday and today. He seems to be thirsty a bit, maybe dehydrated.
I visited "my" Andreea today. Took my IPad to show her grandmother pictures of Andreea from the clinic. She said she has some of them at her house; ones that I had sent her. I also gave them some diapers this morning as her grandmother seemed to be asking for them yesterday.
We are off to Da Vinci for dinner - the best restaurant in Barlad in my opinion. Hopefully i can stay awake during dinner! Have been so tired at night. My foot has been hurting a bit so today I just stayed in the hospital after lunch. Need to pace myself.
Still having trouble posting pictures.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Monday, February 27, 2012
Mini Tutova
We had a good first day at the hospital today. I've decided it is like a mini Tutova. They have set aside a few rooms at the end of the hall and Globsl has painted the walls and brought in the cribs and toys etc from the clinic. So it feels like a familiar setting in a less familiar place.
We did learn that the children's hospitsl has merged with the adult hospital. So the former director Dr Magda now is only in charge of a section of the hospital. We also heard that of the 80 hospitals that closed when I as herr last year that were supposed to be turned into homes for seniors only 6 have actually become senior homes. In Tutova there were supposed to be 60 seniors and there are 20.
So for the news on the children. We arrived to find Cleo, Alina, Delia (the 11 month old missing arms and legs), and Andrei, a 4 year old boy with I'm not sure what disability but he doesn't have much muscle tone, doesn't speak etc. We were sad to hear that Nadia the teenager with severe CP who I met last year passed away over the weekend. And my Andreea from Tutova who now lives with her father and grandmother wasn't the hospital as well. I was especially excited when we went to the placement center to pick up Gaby and Ionut! Gaby was all smiles although Ionut was quite fussy.
Cleo is doing so well. She was laughing and smiling so much. And Gaby was eating soft solid food from a spoon! She finished 2 bowls! And is walking with assistance and holding only one hand. Alina immediately wanted to play pattycake with me. I could swear she remembered it from last time.
There is more to tell but I'm tired and have a head ache do will just post some pictures and write more later. Wi fi doesn't work in the rooms, only in the first floor lounge. Not surprising.
Oops. Pictures aren't loading. Will try tomorrow.
We did learn that the children's hospitsl has merged with the adult hospital. So the former director Dr Magda now is only in charge of a section of the hospital. We also heard that of the 80 hospitals that closed when I as herr last year that were supposed to be turned into homes for seniors only 6 have actually become senior homes. In Tutova there were supposed to be 60 seniors and there are 20.
So for the news on the children. We arrived to find Cleo, Alina, Delia (the 11 month old missing arms and legs), and Andrei, a 4 year old boy with I'm not sure what disability but he doesn't have much muscle tone, doesn't speak etc. We were sad to hear that Nadia the teenager with severe CP who I met last year passed away over the weekend. And my Andreea from Tutova who now lives with her father and grandmother wasn't the hospital as well. I was especially excited when we went to the placement center to pick up Gaby and Ionut! Gaby was all smiles although Ionut was quite fussy.
Cleo is doing so well. She was laughing and smiling so much. And Gaby was eating soft solid food from a spoon! She finished 2 bowls! And is walking with assistance and holding only one hand. Alina immediately wanted to play pattycake with me. I could swear she remembered it from last time.
There is more to tell but I'm tired and have a head ache do will just post some pictures and write more later. Wi fi doesn't work in the rooms, only in the first floor lounge. Not surprising.
Oops. Pictures aren't loading. Will try tomorrow.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Back to Romania
For those of you who have followed my trips to Romania, yes, I am going back. As difficult as the closing of the clinic in Tutova was last year, I just can't stay away.
I haven't decided if I will maintain this blog or post updates on Facebook or send emails. It may depend on how the internet is working at the hotel in Barlad and my IPad skills. I got the app where I can transfer photos from my IPhone to my IPad but who knows if I will get it to work properly. Wish me luck.
Stay turned and I'll let you know how I'll be providing updates.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
News on the children
I have two volunteer friends at the hospital in Barlad this week. The four children who went to the Center for Children with Special Needs (Ion, Marius, Alina and Ionut) are now at the hospital. It is unclear what will happen with them next but except for Ionut they are much less disabled than the children at the Center and it wasn't the right spot for them. So this is mostly good news for them in the short term at least as they are now with some familiar faces.
Petre, who went home, has already ended up with CPS as it didn't work out at home. Not clear if the parents contacted CPS or if CPS discovered a problem. Anyway, he ended up at the hospital to see the Dr. and had a joyful reunion with his buddy, Ion. See the link to Pat's blog below.
http://patbiswanger.blogspot.com/2011/04/reunited-and-it-feels-so-good.html?showComment=1303425316296#c2938996292963564731
Petre, who went home, has already ended up with CPS as it didn't work out at home. Not clear if the parents contacted CPS or if CPS discovered a problem. Anyway, he ended up at the hospital to see the Dr. and had a joyful reunion with his buddy, Ion. See the link to Pat's blog below.
http://patbiswanger.blogspot.com/2011/04/reunited-and-it-feels-so-good.html?showComment=1303425316296#c2938996292963564731
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Home
I've arrived home safely. Yesterday (was it only yesterday?), Dorel drove Dan, Cathy and I to Bucharest. Cathy and I had to laugh as it was sunny when we left Tutova but cloudy by the time we got to Bucharest. We are jinxes for bad weather I guess.
Spent yesterday afternoon and last night at a hotel by the airport. I thought about going into the city but I was just too tired and still somewhat overwhelmed by the events of the past 3 weeks. So I watched movies on my computer and read and finished typing up the team journal and got it out to everyone on the team.
Usually I'm quite anxious upon my return to make a photo book of my pictures from the trip. I think this time looking at those little faces will be a lot sadder. There is always concern about the childrens' future but I think this time it is even more worrisome.
I'm not certain if I will go back to Romania to volunteer or not. The volunteer opportunities are changing and I might like to try a new program in a new location. Although if Gaby surfaced somewhere I'd be back there in a minute! Will wait and see.
Thanks to everyone who emailed me with your support throughout these difficult weeks.
Spent yesterday afternoon and last night at a hotel by the airport. I thought about going into the city but I was just too tired and still somewhat overwhelmed by the events of the past 3 weeks. So I watched movies on my computer and read and finished typing up the team journal and got it out to everyone on the team.
Usually I'm quite anxious upon my return to make a photo book of my pictures from the trip. I think this time looking at those little faces will be a lot sadder. There is always concern about the childrens' future but I think this time it is even more worrisome.
I'm not certain if I will go back to Romania to volunteer or not. The volunteer opportunities are changing and I might like to try a new program in a new location. Although if Gaby surfaced somewhere I'd be back there in a minute! Will wait and see.
Thanks to everyone who emailed me with your support throughout these difficult weeks.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Last Day
I have to say our last day at the Children's Hospital in Barlad was a much easier day than our last day at the clinic in Tutova. While the latter was an ending and quite sad, the former is hopeful. We had a good-bye party with Dr. Magda, Dr. Eva and some of the staff. Dr. Magda was very appreciative and clearly looks forward to having volunteers continue at the facility. They tell us there are plans to renovate the neuro psych floor that we were on in the next few months. Dr. Eva agreed with us that improving the bathrooms is a priority! (Hint for future volunteers at the hospital: use the bathroom on the 2nd floor, same floor as Dr. Magda's office, but be sure to bring toilet paper.)
Cristi and Paula both had good days today. Cristi was clearly feeling better and back to his old self. Paula had a very good day. A fair number of smiles and MANY walks up and down the hallway. She seems to understand she can't go into every room like she did at the clinic. She knows exactly which door is the playroom. She is still a bit off schedule and sleeping from about 3:30 to past 5 but that is to be expected.
I realized last night I forgot to write about Raul but was too tired to power up the computer again. He hasn't been doing so well; not eating much. Dan told Dr. Magda about Caroline's efforts to help Raul and she seemed very supportive. Raul has a new roommate: a little girl that we think is only a few weeks old who was born without arms and legs. She has such a pretty face. Caroline said Raul seemed a bit jealous when the little girl was crying and Caroline picked her up. At breakfast, Caroline showed us a beautiful photo book she did of Raul to give to his parents. Caroline and her mother plan to meet with his parents when her mother arrives.
We also had a new girl in the room with Cristi and Paula. She is 15 years old and has severe cerebral palsy. She is 15 years old and quite thin. She seems to be able to see and hear and responded to our voices and stroking her cheek. We put the mirror and felt book in her crib for her to have something to look at.We also would put the lightly scented hand sanitizer on our hands and put them up to her face for her to smell.
We heard Ana Maria and Nicoletta would be back from Iasi today but they hadn't arrived by the time we left. No word on Celine and how things went for her in Bucharest. Hopefully she will be at the hospital next week and volunteers can learn more. We also hope all goes well with Cleo, especially if she ends up having surgery.
As I understand it the next team will be all experienced volunteers. There will be 6 people total of which 1 will be here for the first week only and Caroline's mother for the last 2 weeks; so 5 at any one time. It is sounding to me like GV will end up having volunteers at multiple sites in the community going forward and that volunteer experiences will be more varied. I'm sure it will take awhile to evolve but long-term I trust it will be in the best interest of the community and program.Mihaela and Bud seemed to get a lot accomplished in the last 2 days to establish a new GV program here going forward.
For those of us who volunteered in Tutova, the children and staff will always have a special place in our hearts. GV did an amazing job of transforming the clinic over the past 12 years, and now others will benefit from GV's resources and the volunteer's services.
Our team had many wonderful thoughts for the day. Here are a few that seem especially appropriate to the circumstances:
Cristi and Paula both had good days today. Cristi was clearly feeling better and back to his old self. Paula had a very good day. A fair number of smiles and MANY walks up and down the hallway. She seems to understand she can't go into every room like she did at the clinic. She knows exactly which door is the playroom. She is still a bit off schedule and sleeping from about 3:30 to past 5 but that is to be expected.
I realized last night I forgot to write about Raul but was too tired to power up the computer again. He hasn't been doing so well; not eating much. Dan told Dr. Magda about Caroline's efforts to help Raul and she seemed very supportive. Raul has a new roommate: a little girl that we think is only a few weeks old who was born without arms and legs. She has such a pretty face. Caroline said Raul seemed a bit jealous when the little girl was crying and Caroline picked her up. At breakfast, Caroline showed us a beautiful photo book she did of Raul to give to his parents. Caroline and her mother plan to meet with his parents when her mother arrives.
We also had a new girl in the room with Cristi and Paula. She is 15 years old and has severe cerebral palsy. She is 15 years old and quite thin. She seems to be able to see and hear and responded to our voices and stroking her cheek. We put the mirror and felt book in her crib for her to have something to look at.We also would put the lightly scented hand sanitizer on our hands and put them up to her face for her to smell.
We heard Ana Maria and Nicoletta would be back from Iasi today but they hadn't arrived by the time we left. No word on Celine and how things went for her in Bucharest. Hopefully she will be at the hospital next week and volunteers can learn more. We also hope all goes well with Cleo, especially if she ends up having surgery.
As I understand it the next team will be all experienced volunteers. There will be 6 people total of which 1 will be here for the first week only and Caroline's mother for the last 2 weeks; so 5 at any one time. It is sounding to me like GV will end up having volunteers at multiple sites in the community going forward and that volunteer experiences will be more varied. I'm sure it will take awhile to evolve but long-term I trust it will be in the best interest of the community and program.Mihaela and Bud seemed to get a lot accomplished in the last 2 days to establish a new GV program here going forward.
For those of us who volunteered in Tutova, the children and staff will always have a special place in our hearts. GV did an amazing job of transforming the clinic over the past 12 years, and now others will benefit from GV's resources and the volunteer's services.
Our team had many wonderful thoughts for the day. Here are a few that seem especially appropriate to the circumstances:
"If ever there is a tomorrow when we're not together, there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think, but the most important thing is, even if we're apart, I’ll always be with you." Winnie the Pooh (Thanks to Terry McCarter who shared this quote on a prior team with me.)
 |
| Paula |
 |
| Cristi |
 |
| Raul |
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Next to last day
Our girls weren't back from Iasi today so we only had Cristi and Paula left from our Tutova group of children. We spent some time with other children on the floor. Caroline has become quite popular in the "camera de joaca" or playroom. Mind you the playroom consists of, as of today, two new black leather sofas, a table and a tv. There are some paintings on the walls and some efforts made for the room to look cheerful. But no toys. So we take some of our toys in there.
This morning Cristi and I spent a lot of time with him sitting on a very small square green table that Dan decided reminded him of the red sofa at Tutova. I had to keep banging away at the table or he would take my hand and tell me in his own special way to keep at it. Turns out he has strep throat so they have put an IV in his left arm so he can get periodic IV antibiotic treatments. He seemed to be feeling better today although he slept a lot this afternoon.
Paula had a good morning but a not great afternoon. We think that the change in schedule is affecting her and that she may not have slept enough mid-day. We also think she was hungry. We tried all our tricks including me making a humming noise that would calm her down for a few minutes and then she would start crying again. She finally fell asleep which is what she needed.
Big Andreea was leaving as we arrived this morning. We heard Cleo's parents signed the papers agreeing to her surgery and that the surgery may occur next week. There is a 2-year old girl with hydrocephalus on the floor and while her head is much smaller than Cleo's she is more impaired. The mother is 27 and has 4 other children at home and a husband working in Spain. The mother was asking us about Cleo and seems to want to fight for her daughter but not sure how much can be done for her. The Dr. on the floor asked us to individually spend some time with the mother and baby to provide her with some support.
The hospital served us lunch today in a nice little dining area. This was arranged for by the Director of the hospital. Bud and Mihaela met with her and she told them she was very appreciative of our work. So we seem to have made a good first impression. I'm thinking maybe Big Andreea's grandmother told the mothers on the floor about the volunteers at Tutova so maybe that helped. I told Bud we might have had some "street cred."
We had dinner with Bud, Mihaela and Dan at the creepy doll, I mean Allona, restaurant. I want to note publicly that Cathy had the willpower to resist dessert unlike Bud, Dan, Caroline and I. I'm going to have to live at the gym when I get home.
Bud and Mihaela told us about some of their meetings today. It sounds like there are a few possibilities for other host organization relationships and like Global could end up at several places in Barlad. We will see what works out. The next team will be staying at the Occident so Caroline has to move this Saturday.
AND we heard from Mihaela, that Celine is coming back from Bucharest to the hospital in Barlad before going home or....TBD. Hope she arrives tomorrow and I get to see her before leaving! I did troll the general pediatric floor today looking for any of our Tutova children but didn't find anyone. Not that I want our children to be at the hospital but you never know.
Not many pictures today given our smaller numbers, Cristi's long nap, Paula's afternoon melt down, and
that we can't post pictures of other children at the hospital Hopefully, I'll have a few more tomorrow.
This morning Cristi and I spent a lot of time with him sitting on a very small square green table that Dan decided reminded him of the red sofa at Tutova. I had to keep banging away at the table or he would take my hand and tell me in his own special way to keep at it. Turns out he has strep throat so they have put an IV in his left arm so he can get periodic IV antibiotic treatments. He seemed to be feeling better today although he slept a lot this afternoon.
Paula had a good morning but a not great afternoon. We think that the change in schedule is affecting her and that she may not have slept enough mid-day. We also think she was hungry. We tried all our tricks including me making a humming noise that would calm her down for a few minutes and then she would start crying again. She finally fell asleep which is what she needed.
Big Andreea was leaving as we arrived this morning. We heard Cleo's parents signed the papers agreeing to her surgery and that the surgery may occur next week. There is a 2-year old girl with hydrocephalus on the floor and while her head is much smaller than Cleo's she is more impaired. The mother is 27 and has 4 other children at home and a husband working in Spain. The mother was asking us about Cleo and seems to want to fight for her daughter but not sure how much can be done for her. The Dr. on the floor asked us to individually spend some time with the mother and baby to provide her with some support.
The hospital served us lunch today in a nice little dining area. This was arranged for by the Director of the hospital. Bud and Mihaela met with her and she told them she was very appreciative of our work. So we seem to have made a good first impression. I'm thinking maybe Big Andreea's grandmother told the mothers on the floor about the volunteers at Tutova so maybe that helped. I told Bud we might have had some "street cred."
We had dinner with Bud, Mihaela and Dan at the creepy doll, I mean Allona, restaurant. I want to note publicly that Cathy had the willpower to resist dessert unlike Bud, Dan, Caroline and I. I'm going to have to live at the gym when I get home.
Bud and Mihaela told us about some of their meetings today. It sounds like there are a few possibilities for other host organization relationships and like Global could end up at several places in Barlad. We will see what works out. The next team will be staying at the Occident so Caroline has to move this Saturday.
AND we heard from Mihaela, that Celine is coming back from Bucharest to the hospital in Barlad before going home or....TBD. Hope she arrives tomorrow and I get to see her before leaving! I did troll the general pediatric floor today looking for any of our Tutova children but didn't find anyone. Not that I want our children to be at the hospital but you never know.
Not many pictures today given our smaller numbers, Cristi's long nap, Paula's afternoon melt down, and
that we can't post pictures of other children at the hospital Hopefully, I'll have a few more tomorrow.
 |
| Cristi loves the piano |
 |
| Paula dancing this morning |
 |
| Cristi on the new black sofa in the playroom |
 |
| Paula in the playroom |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)