A wish list

Hello friends….as many of you know by now, the purpose of this blog is to tell you about our volunteer trip to Freeport, The Bahamas for 4 weeks beginning November 16^th 2010. Jennifer will be providing doula services and I will be managing deliveries at the public hospital in Freeport. The population that we will be serving are very poor and the resources are not what we have become used to here in Canada. We have financed the cost of our travel and accommodations but are looking for some support in helping improve the experiences of women and babies in The Bahamas. Some of you have generously offered to donate either supplies and/or funds to help with the desired equipment that are desperately needed there. We have received quite a comprehensive list from Sister Rolle whom we have been in contact with from the local hospital where we will be volunteering.

The unit wish list includes:

Rectal thermometers
desk blood pressure apparatus
Fetal heart pinna, for listening to fetal heart
Oxisensor, for NICU monitoring
skin probe covers for thermometers
Baby supplies - wash, shampoo etc
Pamphlets (mother & baby)
Magazines with baby care
Old DVDs - Bathing infant, use of car seat
stethoscopes, adult and infant
hand held pulseoximeter x 2
Diagnostic sets
Bowls for bathing infants

Disposable cameras for bereavement kits

If you wish to donate goods please make arrangements to get them to us before November 10^th. If you would prefer to donate funds for us to use to purchase supplies, please feel free to send an email money transfer to Jennifer at cresthaven_jlm@hotmail.com  We would need these funds sooner rather than later so that we will have time to order and/or purchase the supplies before we leave. I will be able to purchase some medical equipment next week in Seattle.

Thank you so much for your help…it will be a thrill for us to bring these items with us.

Supplies requested!

OK peeps - so we asked one of the Sisters at The Rand to tell us what supplies they wished for that we might bring to donate and she has come through! She sent us a list tonight that is quite long and detailed. Jen and I will go through it together and post it in the next day or two for all to see. We are hoping to gather some donations of goods and/or money so that we can purchase and bring some of the supplies that are so desperately needed for the women and babies of The Bahamas. In the meantime if you have any old mother/baby magazines or baby care DVD's lying around that you don't need anymore please gather them as they were mentioned on the list. We will post more details shortly as we gather more information.

We are going !!!!

We have had confirmation that all is a go for Helen and I....thanks to everyone's hard work and persistance to nudge this amazing opportunity along for us.
There were a few major details that needed to be worked out and confirmed by the authorities and we are thrilled to have authorization to donate our time and resources to the birthing women of Grand Bahama.
Helen...my travel partner and friend, you have done so much to make this possible for us....it is going to be awesome !! We are a great team.

Helen's input - well it is GOING to happen but I still have to submit a bunch of documents in order to get approval from the Nursing Council. It's just a formality but it has to be done. Jennifer is apparently pre-approved! How on earth??

"The waiting is the hardest part" Tom Petty

So...several weeks ago we recieved confirmation that all was a go. The Ministry of Health, Nursing Council of The Bahamas just needed to send some necessary paperwork to Bastyr University in Seattle.
This paperwork would enable Helen to count each birth she attends as a primary caregiver which is needed for her graduation in June.
Well....we have been warned about "island time". Those of us who simply do what is needed have to muster up some patience right now which we are quickly realizing  may not be our best assest!!! (We think the island might be exactly what we need!)
Two weeks has gone by and perhaps the paperwork may still be sitting on someone's desk....hmmm.
However, we have huge faith in the universe and are confident that this will all come together.
Send positive thoughts our way.

"I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination" Jimmy Dean

It has been awhile since we have had anything intelligent to say so here is the attempt. Ahhh

There were a few setbacks….very minor I assure you…as some extra paperwork was needed for the Council of Nursing in The Bahamas.

Helen and I were asked to send a resume pertaining to our birth experience for their approval.

I have to say…..I love my friends!!! After submitting a valid resume for Helens endorsement….she and my friend Heather completely edited it for my and their entertainment. I have to say they had me crying I was laughing so hard….thank you to both of you however that version needs to remain in safe keeping.

I want to send a thank you also to Dr Allan Lin in Calgary for generously donating latex gloves for us to use while we are away. This journey is being funded entirely by Helen and me and we are very appreciative of any assistance given thus far.

Tomorrow I meet with a woman who makes her own scrubs…..many fun colours and designs….and I am confident I will come across something fabulous for us.

We are getting so excited about our adventure and will begin counting the sleeps soon!!