smirkingatyou

I woke up today with a message on my answering machine from a friend. She told me that a mutual friend and med student was trying to others to volunteer for a Salvation Army hurricane relief center. I got down there about 11:30 bearing lunch and my stethscope. There were lots of voluteers from various groups organizing shelters and passing out clothes, food, and personal items. There were also about half a dozen medical students and one nurse running the medical triage section. A doctor/professor also showed up. Our main job was getting people any necessary medications that they left behind. The most common problems were dehydration, high blood pressure and diabetes. Most of the time, things were simple. People just needed to be reminded of how and when to take their meds as well as how to avoid immediate problems caused by the situation. However, my friend and I did have to send one person to the ER.

I spent 6 hours and enough money to fund a weekend of drinking on diabetic supplies. I also got to offer advice to some second-year students about potentially serious signs and symptoms. I feel like I actually did something good today.

The clinic shut down about an hour ago. My friend is coming over soon. We're going to watch college football and grill steaks. I feel a little strange . . . not guilty, but strange. Some of these people lost loved ones and nearly all of their property. I guess I'm just grateful.