Day 3: Noee, Debouse, and ..Jeff?

Today was awesome. When I arrived on the compound I joined Karl to watch a lecture online that he was supposed to watch (a Fogerty thing I think). I then went and spoke with an administrative lady (who is also an MD) about my “plan” to shadow every part of the clinic for my first month. As she was taking me to my first assignment I spoke some Kreyol to her. She looked surprised and asked me why I would learn to speak Kreyol instead of French. I told her that I read about Haiti and knew that Haitian Kreyol was the language of the people; I wanted to speak the language of the people. She responded by saying, “Yeah, but wouldn’t French be better for your career?” I responded “Well Haiti might be my career!” It is an interesting commentary on the society though – Kreyol is the language of the people, the poor, even though everyone can speak it. French is the language of the rich.

I shadowed a Dr. in the ARV clinic today (antiretroviral clinic; where the best drugs are given to HIV-positive people). It was perfect; her English was not great and my Kreyol is still terrible, so we worked together. One snafu of the day that was funny; I was introduced to her as Dr. Goodwin…But then 10 minutes into our first patient she was going through a list of drugs in a cocktail and I didn’t know a few (the only reason I knew any was my studying HIV on my own before I came- which it turns out is a good thing I did). She stopped and looked at me and said “You have finished your studies, no?” At which point I had to explain that I wasn’t yet a doctor, but a researcher. Nonetheless I told her I would study tonight.

A few notes from the day: One woman said “no” in response to “do you have sex”. Then the Dr. asked “do you need some condoms?” and the woman looked down and said “yes.” This lady didn’t want to admit to having sex. I have heard this so many times- it doesn’t matter whether you think these people should have less sex or not. The point is that the success rate of “abstinence” isn’t 100%; people don’t adhere 100% to that treatment either. Also, one girl (warning, this is sad) was HIV-positive and having sex with no protection, only birth control. I asked the Dr if she would ask the girl if she had one partner or many. The girl said she had one partner, but he had many. It was interesting. We told her to use condoms.

Another man came in with a bag of medicine. He wanted to show how he had saved some medicine so he could take it on a trip with him. The Dr went to great lengths to explain how bad this was and how she could give him all the medicine he needed until he got back. Another patient came in and asked for money so he could ride home. The Dr simply reached into her purse and gave it to him.

It is interesting that there is no question as to whether I can observe or participate in any of this. I think the patients are so thankful that this is a free unit and a cutting edge research unit in such a poor location and they understand this. I have heard stories of them seeing the “white person” in the room and thinking something must really be wrong with them- why else would they bring in the white doctor? I interact with less than 5 US Americans or white people per day.

I had a few minutes to kill after leaving the room so I went to the adjoining college campus (looks like a very poor elementary school at best; not even that good) and walked to the outdoor canteen to buy a drink. I only had America money but they did not mind. I struggled through a large group and managed to buy a half-liter of coke. It was delicious and nice to mingle. I sat down to drink it and a cute Haitian college student sat down next to me (RIGHT next to me). We talked a little but I don’t know enough to make it any good. She said a really long goodbye and seemed frustrated. I was told she probably wanted my number…still nice to talk randomly with a Haitian though.

On the way home from work, the 4 Americans in the back of out truck had a good laugh; someone had asked one of them where the “Stallion” was at work. This was in reference to me. The American girls were like “what??” Pretty amusing. Stallion must mean something different in Kreyol.

When I got home I made some coffee and headed down to the tennis courts to talk Kreyol with my Haitian friends. With Debouse, Neoo, Betti, and Jeff I spent about two and half hours speaking Kreyol. Not sure why Jeff has such an American name. I made fun of him as much as I could for having such an American name ("Jeff? ou se pa ayitian, se Amerikan!"). Of course, we got around to talking Obama as well. Like him or not (I do), he is having quite an effect all over the world. Although in the US it is historic that we have a black president, I think he represents much more all over the world. Africans have been oppressed by many nations all over the world. Haiti specifically was a beautiful, hilly tourist spot in the 50’s. Think Virgin Islands – now this place looks like a deforested St. John with no trees, trash everywhere, no rules, and people on people. And the smell. Obama represents that the Black man is no longer oppressed (whether that’s true or not). Obama, the black man, is the leader of the free world. It’s exciting to be a US citizen again. I am proud.

We agreed to meet tomorrow at 6 to talk Kreyol/English again. I am worried they will tire of it before I do. I want to speak fluent Kreyol.

Off to study more Kreyol and HIV drugs; I’m pitching a research project to a Dr. at the clinic tomorrow. I want to follow retention of HIV patients in vaccine trials. I am hoping to write up a paper on clinical trials in Haiti, Jamaica, Puerta Rico, and DR. This could make for some nice “qualitative” work that needs to be done on site as well. We shall see tomorrow. I’m also giving blood tomorrow. I was told that I won’t be able to give blood in the states when I return from Haiti, so I might as well do it here.

N’a we demen! (see you tomorrow!)