Departure is around the corner.

Time is really flying by. I can't believe Sept. 25th is coming up so close. These pictures are from Aug 22, we decided we needed to go through all of the stuff we had collected over the past several months.

Mostly we were amazed how much gets thrown in the trash. Nothing was wasted, items that we are not going to take, Rebekah took to another donation center for medical supplies.

Out of all of the supplies we had collected, due to limited space, only a 1/4 of all of this are items we are going to take.

We wish we could take it all, but we are having to pack it in our two checked pieces of luggage. Tape, masks, IV's, Alcohol pads, tubing, et tubes, dressings, scrubs, cables, and syringes are just a sample of things we are taking.

The other part of the meeting was to dicuss personal items and also expectations all provided by our seasoned medial mission person Rebekah. I think I would be a lot more nervous if it weren't for her guidance and direction.

L -R Deanna (MD), Laura (RN), Amy (RN), Michelle (PNP), Kristen (RN soon to be PNP), Rebekah (RN).

Here are two of the donated scrub uniforms that Laura and Kristen are modeling. They were more like dresses than scrubs.

Here is the whole group.... not really, there are many more that are going about 15 in all.

Can't wait to go!!!!!!!

HAVE A GREAT DAY!

Well the trip was almost postponed. The team didn't have an anesthesiologist, well now we do. This disappointment lasted about 2 weeks and then out of the blue the critical team member was identified and the trip was back on. It would be an understatement to say that everyone was disappointed, I think devistation would have been a more appropriate word.

Mostly that the patients who need surgery would have to wait....if they could. I think much faith came from my daughters who have been so excited for me to be able to help in this way. I am humbled by their faith and prayers. I think from the time that I told them that I might not be going they were sad, and began praying. "Please help them find a doctor so that they can go help the kids in Kenya."

Let the supply hunt continue. YAHOO!!!

I was at Avida Healthwear in Franklin today and ask them if I could purchase old out of style scrubs or maybe with minor flause. The owner quickly responded, "well I have some older style scrubs of various sizes that I would love to just give you." She ended up giving me three big boxes of new scrubs. I was so excited, wow what a blessing, that was just a neat experience, I feel blessed.

A Great Story

If you read my first post then you will have remembered me mentioning how humbled I have been with all of those who have spiritually, emotionally, and temporally supported me as I have been preparing for this trip. Some of you may have heard this story, but one day I reiceved a check in the mail for $11.00.
Thank you Christi (my sister in law) for sending the first-hand account.

"As for the story of the 11 dollars.... The day we got your letter asking for donations we told the kids over dinner that we would be donating and asked if they wanted to participate. They immediately got up and went to their various money stashes. They had just been told that we would be going to Sea World in San Diego at the end of summer and they had started to save up for spending money for that. Mark, Emily, and Paige brought money for me to send to you. Emily brought all she had.

Thank you for letting us participate in your trip to Africa. What a great opportunity for you and we were happy to help in our small way! Love Christi."

Isn't this awesome. Thank you Mark, Emily, and Paige for your help, what a wonderful example you are to me. Thank you for your kindness and generosity, and mostly your sacrifice to help those people in Africa.

Love your Uncle in Tennessee

Thank you all, have a great week!






I obtained permission to post these pictures, they are from World Medical Mission.










Just a few scanned pictures of Tenwek Hospital.

1st Post

This blog post is long overdue, I am sorry I have just been busy like everyone else. We have been working and celebrating birthday's. June through Aug are birthday months at our house.

This picture of this syringe symbolizes mostly what I have done to prepare for this trip. I had to get typhoid, yellow fever, Hepatitis A, already immune to B, Meningitis, and polio. I am taking antimalarial medications, along with many other "anti" medications for other not to be discussed medical problems I might expereince on the trip. Many of you know I sent a letter requesting donations, something I haven't ever done before, many of you also know that the donations have come from friends, family and even strangers. This has been very humbling for me. No words can adequately describe my appreciation to those who are supporting me on this trip. Naturally I am nervous and very excited. I can't wait to go.

We have been having monthly Tenwek meetings, and have been collecting things from the hospital. There are many more things I need to purchase for the trip, and will be doing that over the next few weeks. If I have counted right I will leave in 53 days. WOW time is flying. I feel very lucky to have this opportunity. Thank you for your prayers and thoughts.

This is a picture of my friend and coworker Rebekah. This picture was taken last year at Tenwek Mission Hospital. This is one of the patients she worked with, Rebekah is one of the 6 total nurses who will be going again this year. Tenwek is located 200+ miles north west of Nairobi in the city of Bomet (not sure if you call it a city). It is a pretty long and bumpy drive from what I have been told.

Here is another Native who as you can tell many of the staff quickly became attached to.

Letter

Dear Friends and Family,
As many of you know I work in the Pediatric Critical Care Unit at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital and have for about 5 years. I love what I do; I have the opportunity to work with a number of different patients from various backgrounds and cultures. I am paid to take care of these children but for me it does feel like a service that I am able to provide to these children.
Many of you also know that I have had rare opportunities to work specifically with infants or children with a Congenital Heart Disease. I am truly amazed at the way we can provide care for these children, and hold myself lucky to be able to work in a place where I see miracles happen. Naturally, not all stories end with a happy outcome, but being able to be there at the most delicate moments in someone’s life, is an honor.
I have been given a unique opportunity to be able to truly put into practice the things that I have learned over the years. I have the potential opportunity to help in a different way, in a completely different environment. I was invited to join a team of Surgeons, Doctors, Anesthesiologist, Practitioners and Nurses to help perform surgeries for children who do not have the same resources that we do. This group of Cardiac Medical Staff is leaving late Sept/ early Oct 2009 to Kenya, Africa. The purpose of this medical trip is to perform cardiac surgery to at least 9 children; my role would be to be a part of the team that supports these children post cardiac surgery.
This is an obvious chance in a life time for me, but moreover it would be a great opportunity to serve those without other options for corrective heart surgery. These surgeries are truly life changing for this small group of children. The trip is unfortunately not sponsored by Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital. Hours spent on the trip will come from my own personal vacation time, and other monies for the trip would also come from personal finances. The amount I have to have is $2,300-$2,500.
This is where you come in, likely I can’t make the trip without monetary help. These days I understand finances are stretched thin and resources are scarce. If you feel impressed to help in this way, with any donation, thank you in advance for helping me help those who do not otherwise have the same opportunities we have. Thank you again.
Sincerely,

Andy Lamoreaux