Jessica, Jodie, and John Ackerman

A QUICK UPDATE

Sorry that I've been so lax in blogging. Not sure why but I wanted to check in and let you know a couple things.

The first thing is to let you know that I'm still alive. I'm just finishing the second week of South Beach I and everything tastes like lettuce because it is. Not much effect on the weight yet though. Maybe if I shaved it would cause me to lose weight.

Secondly, for those of you who don't know, I had a double knee replacement back on June 18th. Since then the knees were pretty good. I certainly couldn't complain. But yesterday morning I played tennis again. Now that may not seem like much to you but it does to me. That was the first time I sweated in a year and a half. It actually felt good and I had no swelling and may even try it again next week.

I know this isn't much of a thought on Haiti but it was a thought on at least one that lives here.
Thanks for your prayers.

And so it goes!

John

Mardi Gras and Super Tuesday all in one Hunk

Yes, a big day in the history of the world but certainly no bigger then SuperBowl Sunday. All in all though I am getting my side of the bedroom cleaned up and can even see my desk. I even discovered that there is still a computer under all that paper. I just wish that was the only reason not much was being posted to this blog recently. Any excuse is as good as none. Please forgive.

Here are a couple pictures for your beholding. The first is of Jessica and the next is of Jessica along with her friends Josine, and Natalie all dressed up (sort of) and ready to go downtown for Carnival. I really don't believe my mother would have allowed me to go there at that age.

And So It Goes!

John

A Neighbor Dropped By

Last week’s clinics were well beyond full. Actually there isn’t too much strain even when there are large numbers, since usually after I begin seeing patients I simply just keep plugging along one at a time. By the end of the day I usually make it home without much trauma to myself. One thing that is necessary though is a protection system that has a sense when people are there for the sole purpose of having their physical, psychological, or spiritual ills evaluated and treated, rather than persons who simply want to get to see the white Dr. to see if he will give them some money. (Please know, I have told these people over and over that I am a Registered Nurse and not a doctor but in recent years I have even given up on the explanation since it seems that the only thing in their understanding that differs between the two is their sex.) My usual interference for this job is Eden, my nurse helper, and Pastor Francois, who helps Eden out and also collects the money. They usually do a good job, but Thursday my first patient was a lady who was about 60 years old. She came in, greeted me, then when I ask her what her problem was she let me know that her only son had died. She told me that she had no husband and as she teared up she explained in great detail that she didn’t have enough money to go on with life. At this point I explained everything that she didn’t want to hear: the reasons why there was such a thing as a medical clinic, which was to treat problems of the patients who were having pain, sickness, or other things like that. I also told her that it was not my responsibility to take care of these problems for her but that of her family, friends, church and neighbors. . .

Then it hit me. I didn’t know the book or verse but I knew someone somewhere asked something like “Then who is my neighbor?” And I was simply defenseless.

Well, time passes. I got through the other patients that day, although it would have been easier had the first patient had a severe case of bronchitis or arthritis. I deal better with those. Did I give her money? No. Should I have? I still don’t know since I do know the reason for both sides of this argument. I did encourage her in her struggles though. I hope her other neighbors do better for her than I did.

And so it goes!

John

Are You Kidding Me?

I have a bachelor's degree in biology. I am a Registered Nurse. I have practiced medicine in Haiti for the past 22 years. Then I take this test. It's just not fair. I think I'll go eat worms.

And so it goes!

John