Our April 25 Earthquake Story--Part 2

OK, so here is Part 2 of "Our April 25 Earthquake Story!"  Yes, there will be a Part 3!

What's happening now, three months on?
This Himalayan Times news article explains many things:
http://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/monsoon-troubles-nepal-quake-survivors-three-months-on/

Yes, it's still tough.

When I ended the previous post, I was in the aftermath and aftershocks of the "big one" and didn't know where my husband was, nor could I call him (no service) nor ask anyone (all too busy).  If you missed it,  click http://himalayanhappenings.blogspot.com/2015/06/our-april-25-earthquake-story-part-1.html

If you've read or heard about it, there were aftershocks at approximately 15-20 minute intervals all day--and all night too.  They are actually still continuing!  (There was one this morning.)  Of course, they're not as strong now as they were then, but I'm still pretty jumpy every time I hear an expected sound!  The last current count I've heard was about 355 aftershocks above 4 on the Richter scale and over 20,000 under 4.  That 20,000 hasn't been updated for awhile, since I suppose that once you hit 20,000, you sort of lose track!  I felt one the other day as I lay in bed just relaxing and the mattress started softly shaking.  Ramon had already woken up and was in the other room, so it wasn't him turning over!  I would say the shaking lasted about 20 seconds or more.  I didn't move and just prayed in my mind, "Help us Lord!" and "Thank you for helping us!"  I usually don't feel those as I'm moving about during my days.  

Well, OK, back to our story!  At some point I decided to make a quick break for it and change out of my Sabbath dress and shoes--and go to the restroom!  I made a mad dash to our apartment where I changed in record time!  I just threw off my Sabbath things, let them fall where they may, and threw something on!  Yes, there were aftershocks while I was in the apartment. (I was shaky and chanting in my mind:  "Help us Lord!  Help us!")  However, what a surprise to find that we hardly had any casualties!  This is all that fell out of the kitchen cabinets:

Nothing else in the kitchen was broken!  All our plates, bowls, and glasses--safely in place!
The doors of the cabinets had all opened, yet the contents remained inside!
There the cabinets were--doors knocked open, yet everything in place!  Man!

A couple of things fell out of the hutch, which of course was full of glass cups, and not one of them fell--only a few unbreakable things!  Yes, the doors were open and all the cups were just sitting there as if there had not been an earthquake!  (I did take a second to put rubber bands on the door pulls, so they wouldn't swing open again.)  The Norman Rockwell had been on top of the hutch, so it fell quite a distance, but didn't break!  That "thing" at the bottom is a statue of a pregnant lady, which we have to remember all of the C-sections Ramon has been involved with.  She was up there with the Norman Rockwell pic.  Her head was broken, but she can be glued back together!

A few books and CDs fell off of one bookshelf (of course I can't find the picture right now),
but that is all!  The other bookshelves--nothing!  It's a really amazing how little damage we had!

Anyway, I noted these few things, but I didn't stop to pick anything up.  That's right--I just left the guacamole right there and ran back outside as quickly as possible--
after putting the rubber bands on the hutch and pushing the kitchen cabinet doors shut.

Soon after I came back down someone came up to me.
"Ramon is looking for you!"  YEAH!  "Where is he?"  "Over there!"
Do you see him?  He's in the blue hat on the left.

I was so happy that my knees started wobbling!
As I headed up there, the person called after me, "Ask him about the outdoor C-section!"
I stopped and looked back.  "WHAT?"  "He led the team outside for a C-section
and now he's doing an outdoor ICU.  He wants to see you.  Hurry up!"

I ran up and over to him.  Maybe you've seen this picture before.

He had set up an outdoor ICU.  The patient was a badly injured young police cadet.  Two of his classmates had come to the hospital DOA.  This young man survived, but it was touch and go for awhile.  His sisters we walking up to him at the same time I was and stood beside me.  They were crying.  One reached out to hold my hand.  Ramon said to them, "You can come and talk to him, but you must stop crying first.  Get a hold of yourselves, and come and talk to him.  It will transmit strength to him which he really needs."  They took some deep breaths and went over.

Ramon smiled at me and I was so happy and thankful he was OK.  He gave me a red ski cap which he had taken when he had had a chance to run up to the apartment.  "Put this on and don't take it off.  I need to be able to see you in the crowd."  I put it on and actually wore it until the next morning!  The weather was a little bit cool, so I was fine.  We said a quick prayer together and then he went back to work and I went down to be with the other people where I had been.

The pregnant girls had all been taken to this area, which is normally a parking lot for staff,
so they could all be together for quick check-ups.

I told our church's youth that I was proud of them for helping where they could.
Those with gloves on were helping to push stretchers and help carry/move mattresses.

They also helped set up tarps.

Some of the nurses and student nurses had a moment to sit down and calm themselves.
It was very important to remain calm.

All this time patients continued to come as did the aftershocks!  I have to say that I don't believe all the ambulance, car, and motorcycle drivers who risked their lives to bring the injured to every hospital and health clinic in the country are not getting the recognition they deserve.  Man, it was scary to just be there in that area behind the hospital.  I can't imagine what it must have been like to be on the road.  Besides that, countless people carried their friends and families, sometimes far distances, when there were no vehicles around.  There are many unsung heroes wandering around Nepal!  I want to say, "THANK YOU!" to all of them!!!

I didn't get very many pics of vehicles, but here are two.

Did you see the hospital's post about the little girl with the brave uncle who drove her here on his motorcycle during the very strong aftershocks?  If not, here it is:
http://scheermemorialhospital.blogspot.com/2015/06/earthquake-part-12-help-me.html

Update on the family:  The father got a job working reconstruction construction in their village and the surrounding areas.  The mother and children are here living with friends and the kids are still at  our school.  We love them and are happy they can be with us for awhile!
Look how precious they are!  They are strong little survivors!

Here are just some of the motorcycles in front of the hospital that day.
All had carried injured patients and were driven by brave folks.
I know they would all just say, "We did what needed to be done.  That's all."

Did you see this hospital post about the men who carried their friend in their arms for 11 hours
down a mountainous path?  If not, here it is:  http://scheermemorialhospital.blogspot.com/2015/05/earthquake-part-4-hes-not-heavy.html

We will never know about all the heroes who stepped up to the plate during a difficult time.
To all of them I say, "THANK YOU!" as well!

We all felt like this man's face shows.

OK, to find out what happened as the the stressful day finally ended,
stay tuned for Part 3!  I'll just say that we were all thankful that this day was finally ending!

I hope everyone reading this is having a great day!

If you have supported Nepal in any way, even with prayers, I also say, "THANK YOU!" to you!

Bye for now!