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at the convention center.. they STILL need nurses and volunteers. I worked there on Tuesday in Medical with the victims who are experiencing problems with possible infections. I plan to return tomorrow. Many people have said that they don't know what they can do.- i got the quarantine dept where many held evacuees are showing signs of either fever or gut problems..... a pitiful group. very sweet and very sad. mostly I pushed meds,opened charts, discharged well pts. , held babies, fetched food and drinks for the elderly that were unable to help themselves. ran for blankets, set up cots, looked for children there alone - to get a head count.... there were probably only 200 patients, (5 nurses) but lots of traffic in and out.. the whole operation can best be described as controlled chaos. outside of medical (which was vast and very well equipped) were THOUSANDS of people. still have buses arriving. sat down with a heartbroken little old lady who just sobbed and sobbed. broke my heart. just held her and got all weepy with her. she sat under a bridge 3 days in a wheelchair....can't find her family. hmmmm But, Ihave to say that the whole operation is very well organized, they have everything and then some. xray, ultrasound, lab, OB, ortho, psyche, clergy, food, red cross, nat'l guard, emt's and on and on..... at the risk of sounding like I am lecturing (please forgive) there are several things that you can do....... i had a couple of volunteers that I asked to spray cots with lysol, and "make it up" with 2 blankets...... Just picking up trash and helping people in general, sorting clothes, passing drinks that kind of thing... I have a BAD feeling that the volunteer army is going to dry up and blow away in a few days.... believe me, these people will be there for weeks, maybe months... the little kids don't break my heart as bad as the old folks, it's just so hard on them, and many have no spouses or kids to help out.... several had grandbabies to care for.... and you know how hard it is to hold a baby for hours.... there were very few baby swings, portacribs, and walkers..... the kind of supplies that save your back.... of course, the older children are just mostly running loose. (many still barefooted on concrete) many are finding their way into schools, but there were MANY school aged kids just hanging around. getting noisy and sassy with the old folks. everybody seemed emotionally worn down and they just want to go home but can't.... still I felt wonderfully exhausted on the drive home. Sorry that this post is way too long, but I have to say all in all, I've never been prouder to be a Texan. and Houston - YOU GET AN A!!!!!!!!!!
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