My mom's in Haiti... [UPDATE: One year later, pg 18!]

[Tink rules]

I watched it with MY mom...

 

[Yvet]

Kathy,

I'm so glad that your mother is back in the US.
I followed this story every minute...

I even watched the tv reports here about the earthquake and was looking at the tv screen if i saw and woman that could be your mother....

 

[mrzrich]

Oh Kathy, so glad your mom made it back!

 

[exwdwcm]

Kathy- great news. I didn't even notice you are in TX (Dallas, I assume?). I saw on channel 8 (dallas) news last night about the 2 that made it santo domingo and was wondering if perhaps that was part of her group. Sounds like it is. Lots of prayers for her and her group- it showed there was one woman that had some internal injuries, but everyone else seemed to be in fairly good condition- at least not serious? So your mom is with the Highland Park UMC group?

well continued prayers from all of us dallas for all of them for a safe return and recovery. huge Hugs !!!!

 

[TheBeadPirate]

I've been sharing this with my What's For Dinner thread friends and they all send their congratulations and warm wishes.

 

[OhMari]

LOL!!! That's my mom!

I talked with her a couple of times this evening. She's at a hospital in Miami being xrayed and CT scanned. She's on a little bit of morphine, so talking with her is a little... disorganized. She told me they caught her at the airport. "I haven't showered in days, I have blood in my hair and this is the day they interview me on TV!"

The team has had a very rough few days. You can hear it in her voice there, but it was so good to be able to see her.

Her team of 12 wound up splitting into 4 little groups. She was in the first group that flew out. There's another small group of 3 that left from Port au Prince late this afternoon, and two people who made it to Santo Domingo. All of those groups are meeting in Miami tonight and flying back to Dallas on a private plane (We're really, really hoping Mom will be on that plane.)

Another two people were sent to Martinique somehow, I don't know how that occurred. But they're doing some emergency surgery on one of the team members who has serious injuries there now.

I'm waiting now to get the call that Mom has been released and will be on the plane tonight.

I think I'll wait until another time to show her that video. Thanks for posting it, Kevin! (It's a Small World After All, It's a Small World After All, It's a Small World ...)

I actually saw the real news video on CNN, it truly is a Small World. Prayers for your mom's quick recovery.

 

[KathyTX]

Kathy- great news. I didn't even notice you are in TX (Dallas, I assume?). I saw on channel 8 (dallas) news last night about the 2 that made it santo domingo and was wondering if perhaps that was part of her group. Sounds like it is. Lots of prayers for her and her group- it showed there was one woman that had some internal injuries, but everyone else seemed to be in fairly good condition- at least not serious? So your mom is with the Highland Park UMC group?

well continued prayers from all of us dallas for all of them for a safe return and recovery. huge Hugs !!!!

Michelle, that is our team! The 2 who went to Santo Domingo are home, too. I just saw them at the hospital, and they're doing well. A chartered plane flew into Santo Domingo late yesterday afternoon or early evening and picked them up. Then it continued to Miami where it picked up 8 more of the team (including mom), then onto Dallas in the wee hours this morning. We're feeling very lucky that these 10 people are now home. Traumatized and exhausted, but home.

We are all praying very hard for the woman with the serious internal injuries. She's in Guadaloupe and was having surgery at last report. Another doctor (injured, but still strong) has stayed with her through the ordeal, insisting on going with her.

After the flight, the hospital this morning, and getting Rxs filled, we're finally home. I just got Mom settled in for a nap, and I think I need one too.

Later, we'll talk about the disaster and what she went through, as well as what we were seeing from this side. We've talked a lot already, but there are many more details and emotions to deal with.

After that, we'll begin to take stock of the things that we need to take care of for her (her ID, credit and insurance cards, ATM card, cash, cell phone, camera, clothing, cosmetics, etc. are back in Haiti under the rubble).

For now, we can relax a little and finally sleep.

 

[kaligal]

Kathy, I am so glad your mother is alive and receiving medical care in the states.

I saw a girl on television who was kind of banged up and had her right leg amputated below the knee. She was saying how grateful she was to be alive and here.

Words cannot express how terribly I feel for the poor people who are there, who are at best surrounded by the rotting bodies and the accompanying stench of death, hungry and thirsty and hoping for aid that may or may not show up. Then there are the ones who are hurt and sick on top of all that...

It is all so very heartbreaking and it is good to hear a couple stories of happy endings.

Those poor souls.

 

[LeahZ]

Kathy - I am so happy to hear that your mom is home and safe! As soon as I saw the woman on the video, I knew that was your mom! We will pray for a quick recovery, especially as she deals with the emotions of what happened and you try to recover IDs, credit cards and all the other "important" stuff.

 

[Disney Enabler]

When challenges are presented there is always grace to assist us through the rough times. Reading your Mom's story brings this devastating event from a world event on a television to the reality that it has touched one of our DIS community. May your Mom's recovery be swift and may she blessed with strength to heal from the physical and emotional aspects.

Thank you for sharing your experiences.
Carol

 

[KathyTX]

A sad update... the woman with the serious internal injuries, her name is Jean, has passed away.

Please pray for Jean, her family, and for all of the team members who are having such pain dealing with the shock of this news.

 

[mousiemom]

So happy that your mom is okay and very fortunate! i believe that she needs a vacation to the happy place! bless her heart! I couldn't imagine!

 

[KathyTX]

We're now finding that the media is circling, seeking soundbites and interviews from these exhausted and traumatized team members.

They do have an important and fascinating story to tell, and the challenge now is to protect them from exploitation in the midst of this while understanding that they do or will need to talk and balancing that with their need for privacy and healing.

 

[chirurgeon]

We're now finding that the media is circling, seeking soundbites and interviews from these exhausted and traumatized team members.

They do have an important and fascinating story to tell, and the challenge now is to protect them from exploitation in the midst of this while understanding that they do or will need to talk and balancing that with their need for privacy and healing.

Kathy, I'm glad your mom is home and starting to heal. More prayers for dealing with the media and the aftermath of her terrible experience and for her to start healing quickly.

Kim

 

[CarmenMM]

Our prayers go to you and all who are in Haiti.

 

[exwdwcm]

A sad update... the woman with the serious internal injuries, her name is Jean, has passed away.

Please pray for Jean, her family, and for all of the team members who are having such pain dealing with the shock of this news.

Oh dear, that is so terrible. I really hoped she would be okay, she looked in pain on tv, but of course they said they couldn't know the extent of her injuries at that point. THat one Dr. Fish? was staying with her. How completely awful. LOTS more prayers going out for the HPUMC group and especially this woman's family and friends. I can't imagine how hard this will be for the team. How is your mom holding up with the news? Tell her she has lots of support and love coming her way from all of us DISers.

I really hope the media can let them rest and have some privacy. The local news coverage here in Dallas has really focused on their group specifically. I bet they just want to rest and be with their families for a bit.

 

[BebopBaloo]

Continued prayers for the whole group and esp. Jean's family.
Thank you for keeping us posted and giving us a glimpse into the span of this tragedy.

"He is before all things and through Him all things hold together."

 

[safetymom]

A sad update... the woman with the serious internal injuries, her name is Jean, has passed away.

Please pray for Jean, her family, and for all of the team members who are having such pain dealing with the shock of this news.

That is so sad. I will keep her and her family in my prayers.

 

[exwdwcm]

here is a link to the local news station that has more info on Jean's life and her passing.

http://www.wfaa.com/news/haiti/Update-on-HPUMC-Missionaries--81728772.html

 

[crazytp93]

So glad to hear that your mother is OK. Give her a hug from me. Such a small world that she ended up on TV.

A sad update... the woman with the serious internal injuries, her name is Jean, has passed away.

Please pray for Jean, her family, and for all of the team members who are having such pain dealing with the shock of this news.

How terrible. My thoughts are with the victims family, and the church team.