Dr. Jean Lieu -January 5, 2005 Nagapattinam, Golden Sands Inn
January 5, 2005Nagapattinam, Golden Sands Inn
I just came back from one of the villages along the shores of Nagapattinam. We made the trip there in the dark and on foot since we were unable to get any vans to go there. It was about 4 miles from the hotel. With my bag pack and medical bag, it seemed more like 10 miles. As soon as we entered the village, the stench of death and destruction hit me full force. Everyone around us wore masks, even the military, which made my team a little nervous. As a premed student, I've spent months at a time at the LA city morgue assisting with autopsies on questionable deaths, ranging from homicide to suicide. I was familiar with the smell of death, but this was different. In the dark, by the light of the stars and the moon and stars, I couldn't help but feel chills going up and down my spine.
Uma led the way as I guided the rest of the team with my flash light. We hiked in silence, trekking through dirt, then mud, then full puddles. Empty huts, boats and debris littered the streets. There were parts of buildings and huts, uprooted trees and debris, trucks and boats, all entangled in one giant mangled mess. The stench of death and destruction was thick and palpable all around me, clinging to my clothes, skin and hair, suffocating my every breath.
All day, my eyes had stung from the smoke in the air. All I can assume is that they're still cremating the bodies that were continually being discovered every day. The village was teeming with government officials, helicopters and military vehicles and personnel. The villagers stared as we passed. When we reached the temple, it was filled with people. Uma led us in to meet with the village leader. We were to set up a medical camp and a community kitchen tomorrow morning at 6am. She introduced me as the team doctor from the United States. Instantly, I was a heroine. Not only was I an American, I was a doctor. They couldn't believe I was real. As soon as they knew I was a doctor, I was bombarded with patients. I examined people with complaints ranging from the common cold to PTSD (post traumatic stress), muscle spasms, contusions, sprains and dehydration as well as many chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, since most of these people had never seen a doctor all their lives. Once they saw my sphygnometer, they lined up to have their blood pressure taken whether or not they felt ill. It was a rare gift they delighted in, and I was more than happy to oblige, all the while fumbling with the device because I had been spoiled by the nurses who usually take care of this task for me. I saw countless patients before the village leader interrupted me for a photo session. I gathered our team for a group picture. Baarti, one of our volunteers, translated to me that I was a heroine in Nagapattinam-and all I did was take blood pressures!
We had to turn many patients away, promising that we would return the next day. The village leader had offered to take us back in the military truck that had brought in the relief supplies. They had stacked a few bags of rice for me to use as a stepping ladder because the back of the truck was as high as my shoulders. We climbed in and settle into the back of the truck as it made its way slowly back towards town. In the back of the truck, I couldn't help but marvel at the starry heavens above
I just came back from one of the villages along the shores of Nagapattinam. We made the trip there in the dark and on foot since we were unable to get any vans to go there. It was about 4 miles from the hotel. With my bag pack and medical bag, it seemed more like 10 miles. As soon as we entered the village, the stench of death and destruction hit me full force. Everyone around us wore masks, even the military, which made my team a little nervous. As a premed student, I've spent months at a time at the LA city morgue assisting with autopsies on questionable deaths, ranging from homicide to suicide. I was familiar with the smell of death, but this was different. In the dark, by the light of the stars and the moon and stars, I couldn't help but feel chills going up and down my spine.
Uma led the way as I guided the rest of the team with my flash light. We hiked in silence, trekking through dirt, then mud, then full puddles. Empty huts, boats and debris littered the streets. There were parts of buildings and huts, uprooted trees and debris, trucks and boats, all entangled in one giant mangled mess. The stench of death and destruction was thick and palpable all around me, clinging to my clothes, skin and hair, suffocating my every breath.
All day, my eyes had stung from the smoke in the air. All I can assume is that they're still cremating the bodies that were continually being discovered every day. The village was teeming with government officials, helicopters and military vehicles and personnel. The villagers stared as we passed. When we reached the temple, it was filled with people. Uma led us in to meet with the village leader. We were to set up a medical camp and a community kitchen tomorrow morning at 6am. She introduced me as the team doctor from the United States. Instantly, I was a heroine. Not only was I an American, I was a doctor. They couldn't believe I was real. As soon as they knew I was a doctor, I was bombarded with patients. I examined people with complaints ranging from the common cold to PTSD (post traumatic stress), muscle spasms, contusions, sprains and dehydration as well as many chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, since most of these people had never seen a doctor all their lives. Once they saw my sphygnometer, they lined up to have their blood pressure taken whether or not they felt ill. It was a rare gift they delighted in, and I was more than happy to oblige, all the while fumbling with the device because I had been spoiled by the nurses who usually take care of this task for me. I saw countless patients before the village leader interrupted me for a photo session. I gathered our team for a group picture. Baarti, one of our volunteers, translated to me that I was a heroine in Nagapattinam-and all I did was take blood pressures!
We had to turn many patients away, promising that we would return the next day. The village leader had offered to take us back in the military truck that had brought in the relief supplies. They had stacked a few bags of rice for me to use as a stepping ladder because the back of the truck was as high as my shoulders. We climbed in and settle into the back of the truck as it made its way slowly back towards town. In the back of the truck, I couldn't help but marvel at the starry heavens above
posted by Unknown @ 4:00 PM
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