Last day.....

At 07.30 am I get my first text of the day "My size 4 pants are too big!"

I was in a meeting so could not reply. However at 09.00 am we chatted via phone. Angie sounded tired, has lost allot of weight and ready to come home, but they were traveling to the last camp. Between the later text and the phone call I learned that the team had seen 850 children - a team record. They were only supposed to see between 300 and 500. Medical supplies were running very low, with only a few of the antibiotics left. The children's vitamins were nearly all gone, and rather than being able to provide them with any meaningful amount they were basically giving each child about a weeks worth - 7 tablets. They wish that they had been able to bring toothpaste - Angie said they have not seen such bad teeth. The kids have nothing to eat so they chew on the wild sugar cane and get black and rotten teeth. Their mouths are a mess.

This afternoon I get a new text at 2.45 pm "We are doing inventory right now but I have to keep lying down before I pass out. The only thing I can keep down is water. I am over hot and we have no power or running water again and it is 90 degrees in the house".

We have a few more personal texts and a few about a re-union dinner that the team are planning, but nothing more of note. Their mission is finished and they will be leaving the DR tomorrow. Hurricane Paloma missed them and hit Cuba - the flights should be able to make it back to the USA.

It is Friday night and we have survived 17 days apart. I am so looking forward to seeing her tomorrow, but I am also concerned how she will look and be. Hopefully a day or two at home with the family, a warm shower and a glass of wine will help revive her!

This is my last time writing on this blog, and I will now leave it for our intrepid RN to continue the missive and provide the pictures of the trip. As I sign off on Friday night, I check around the house and yes, everyone is happy and present.....1 student at UNH, 2 teenagers at home, a manic dog, 2 cats a crazy kitten and a fish. Tomorrow all will be well and complete with the family......

..........All will be well.