Meet Baby Luis

Baby Luis and his Parents

For the Love of a Child

The team arrived at the hospital sometime after 9:00 AM on the 10th. The first thing to do was hold a "press conference" the local Rotarians really wanted to publicize this cleft palate/lip clinic, to get the word out to as many people as possible, so that we could take care of as many people as possible in the short amount of time that we have.  TV PERU in HD was there to interview our Mission Director Tom Fox and the hospital administrators.  They also spoke with the parents of one of the prospective patients - Luis.  I wasn't sure what my reaction would be when I actually saw one of these babies with the cleft palate, I had never seen it before (other than on those TV commercials with Sally Struthers) and prayed that I would not "freak out".  But how could I, just like any baby, he was cute, cuddly and had the sweetest eyes.  Meeting Luis made me understand even more why we are here and why what we are doing is important.  As I learned in a fascinating class today provided by one of our surgeons "Ron"; having a cleft lip/palate holds a huge stigma for the person with it.  They can be shunned by family and strangers, some are literally and figuratively "kept in a closet".  I can't imagine that baby boy being hidden away from the public eye for something that he has no control over.  I also learned that in folklore it was believed that the cause of the cleft palate/lip was thought to be caused by a pregnant woman being struck by lightening or being near lightening.  Another thought is that if a pregnant woman walked past a rabbit  her baby would come out with a "Hare-lip" and now you know where that phrase comes from.  We also learned that the cleft lip develops in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy and most likely comes from hygiene issues, or some toxic insult to the mothers system in those first few weeks.  After the interviews were done, the hospital administrators thanked us for being there and kind of sort of made a "toast" to our arrival.  I thought it was going to be this great ceremony, a couple of young women entered the room with cups of a clear sparkling liquid.  Champagne?  No.  Sprite.  We all stood there with our cups of Sprite waiting for someone to propose a toast.  It never came.  We through back our cups of Sprite and headed out the door.  (Insert awkward moment music here)
Our morning was marred by the theft of one of our team members backpack.  When we arrived at the hospital we stood around waiting for the hospital administrators and the TV crew, while we waited we took pictures of the sprawling hospital grounds.  James put his backpack down right behind him to take a picture, in the time that it took him to shoot a couple of photos and then turn around the backpack was gone.  Thank goodness there was nothing really valuable in the backpack, it was a valuable lesson to everyone of us.  James was a  real trooper about the whole situation.  Later in the day he and I took off into Lima so that he could buy a new backpack.

That's right about where the backpack was taken

There was lots of advertising for the clinic

Getting There

The team at the Miami airport

So many things have happened in the last 24 hours, one of those things is NOT sleep. We arrived at Jorge Chávez International Airport after 10:00 PM Monday the 9th. With 26 souls and 36 boxes to go through customs it was going to be a very long night. We all made it through immigration without a hitch. Then we went to pick up our 1 each suitcase and the 36 boxes of supplies. I could give you all of the dirty little details of customs checking all of our boxes, but I am exhausted and it would take to long. I will say that they opened 10 of our 36 boxes, and really did a thorough check of what was in them and we thought that we were on our way....but then the man with the clipboard, collared shirt and tie came by and decided he needed to check some boxes too. I became slightly irritated at this point and was ready to go "sistah" on him, but since I don't speak Spanish goin' "sistah" on him would have only served to have made our night even longer. He probably would have said, let's put the crazy Black American woman in jail or something. So, I bit my tongue and waited while he did his cursory check of a few more boxes. We were met outside of the airport by our Rotarian counterparts from Peru, 2 buses and a truck for the boxes. As the "quartermaster" for this mission it is my responsibility to keep track of those boxes and their contents....oh did I tell you that at customs I had to sign my name on about 5 million documents AND they took my fingerprint! OK maybe I didn't sign my name that many times, but they did take my fingerprint. CREEPY. While the rest of the team climbed on the buses to head to the hotel I road with one of our Peruvian Rotarians to the hospital to off load and once again count the boxes.....36 boxes once again accounted for. This was my introduction to the hospital Hospital Nacional "Arzobispo Loayza" - 2AM, walking into a single story building that looked to be at least 50 years old, a ward of patients, men, women and children in beds lined against the walls suffering from various maladies, it was completely surreal.  I finally made it back to the hotel at around 3:30AM. Must count the boxes, must count the boxes... My wonderful roommate had my first ice cold Peruivan beer waiting for me

and a bottle of water. Then it was off to bed, for about 4 hours of sleep.

Back in the Army again?

With a 2:30 wake up call I was beginning to feel as if I were back on active duty. My arrival at the San Fransisco airport made me feel even more so. When our mission leader turned to me with a binder that contained the lists and contents of all 36 boxes of medical supplies and equipment that I am supposed to keep track of. 36 boxes? You want me to keep track of 36 boxes and its not even 4AM. Well let those Army instincts come to life, wake up, you can sleep when you die. Boxes all accounted for and checked onto the plane. Next hurdle? Customs in Lima. There are 24 volunteers right now we will pick up more in Miami.
The team is all together now, and ready for the last leg of our flight, into Peru. I've been writing from my phone, but apparently this will be the last chance I have to do that, as my phone does not work internationally. I'm really excited to get started on this mission and getting to know my teamates. Doors are closing now, time to turn off all electronic devices.....

Here We Go....

I guess it is possible to become "out of practice" when it comes to traveling. I feel very out of practice. I haven't flown in over a year and I haven't been out of the country in....? I can't remember when. The cruise that mom and I took last year doesn't count. So our instructions for travel are - one checked bag no more than 50 pounds. We will be given another "checked bag" in the form of medical supplies. We get one carry on, no more than 20 pounds and a "purse". The first thing I did was weigh my suitcases; 11, 12 and 15 pounds! So we start out practically in the negative. I of course wanted to use my beautiful red luggage which was part of my Mrs. Oregon prize package but did not want it to get ruined by luggage handlers and it happened to be my heaviest bag, so I went with the 11 pound black bag with no personality.  I still packed and repacked that bag no less than 5 times trying to get it under 50 lbs. At the most it was 52.6 lbs. I took out the extra Oregon Duck t-shirts that I really didn't need, got rid of the extra underwear, if need be I can wash clothes in the sink. Ian said that the lack of underwear was too much information. Well after packing and repacking, I finally got my suitcase down to 48lbs. But of course when I got to the airport it was EXACTLY 50lbs. Glad they weren't weighing me, I might have had to put up a fight..."what do you mean, 50lbs? My scale at home said 48, I think you need to calibrate your machinary. 50lbs. I'll be darned. Do you know what that 2lbs. means to me? Obviously not". Oh, sorry got carried away. Well at least I wasn't over 50lbs. you know what happens then, right? The slap that HEAVY tag on your bag. Oh nice go ahead just call me fat and to top it off the tag is bright orange. But I was 50lbs. No less, no more (according to their scale). Well it's 4:51, we are supposed to take off at 5:01, just my luck San Francisco like fog has moved into Eugene Oregon, I hope theyblet us take off. I had better sign off, we don't want an Alec Baldwin moment here at Mahlon Sweet. More later....

The Count Down Begins - I really need to think about packing.  But there are so many things to do to get the family ready for my being gone.  I did go to my closet and pull out one Duck Shirt for everyday that I will be gone.  A few pair of jeans, some underwear toothbrush and I should be good right?  So little time.  I just received instructions today on specific items to bring and what to expect when we get there.  So exciting......right now I am just procrastinating from the things that I really need to do, so I will get going, maybe I'll pull my suitcase out tonight. 

When thank-you is not enough - So one of the things about ROTAPLAST is that if you aren't one of the medical professionals you have to pay for your own airfare.  Well I knew that I would be unable to pay the over $1000.00 for airfare, but I really wanted to make this mission, so I took a chance and asked some of the many wonderful people that I have in my life in hopes that I could get some to sponsor my trip and donate money for my airfare.  Food and lodging are covered but I was told that airfare would be about $1800.00.  I sent out an e-mail and facebook messages to my friends and the donations started rolling in.  In the end the total for my airfare was $1570.84.  Last night, someone handed me the final $50.00 in cash to pay for my airfare.  I am truly humbled by the kind, thoughtful and giving people in my life.  Thank-you seems so really insignificant, but it's really all that I have.  But what I can promise in return is this; I promise I will work hard each and everyone of my 15 days in Lima.  I will work hard to help these young children in need, I will work hard to make my fellow Rotarians proud, I will work hard because it is my way.  I hope to take my laptop with me and keep this blog updated everyday.  I will take plenty of pictures and give a presentation of my experience upon my return from Peru.  It is with great anticipation that I look forward to this trip. Thank-you to my dear friends, family and Rotarians for helping to make this mission a reality for me.

Rotaplast - So what is a Rotaplast?Rotaplast International is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) humanitarian organization providing free reconstructive operations and treatment for children in need worldwide. We provide long-term solutions by funding and mentoring local physicians; launching public education projects; and advancing research. Through collaborative programs throughout the world, Rotaplast efforts expand far beyond surgical intervention and help foster international goodwill, peace and understanding.
The goal of Rotaplast International is to eliminate the incidence of untreated cleft lips and palates in children worldwide by the year 2025. 

Finally something worth talking about!  I have kind of become a facebook junky and allowed my blogger account sit and linger and be lonely.  But now I have something to talk about, something worthy of a blog, to be excited about!  I've said it before and I will say it again, I am horrible at keeping journals and to me that is all a blog is.. a journal.  So if I have nothing to put in a journal, nothing worthy of a diary, then I have nothing to put in a blog, until now.  This summer I joined Rotary International, I am a member of Southtowne Rotary in Eugene, Oregon.  I found out about this Rotary program called Rotaplast, "The goal of Rotaplast International is to eliminate the incidence of untreated cleft lips and palates in children worldwide by the year 2025".  So on 8 January 2012, I will get on an airplane and head to Lima, Peru to assist in a Rotaplast mission!  I was told from the very beginning that "this is not a vacation".  The hours are long, the conditions are less than optimal, but it will be the experience of a lifetime.  I tell you I can't wait for this next challenge in my life.  I can't wait to make a difference in the life others

Hello Old Blog, long time no see. I guess I've been spending more time with that "new kid on the block", facebook. With all of it's fun and games, words of wisdom and ability tell me everything about everyone that I ever wanted to or didn't want to know. I haven't forgotten about you, you and I were really good friends once, you knew some of my deepest thoughts and wishes. Who knows maybe I'll be back and right something informative, relative and maybe even funny, until then.......

My Review of Xtreme Instant Heat trade Multisized Hot Rollers

Conair-Store.com

Xtreme Instant Heat trade Multisized Hot Rollers Girls who love curls can get them in an instant with these hot rollers. The clips and rollers are both heated for extra hold and the Ceramic technology and Ion Shine trade give hair a healthy looking sheen. New advanced technology provides the fastes...

Xtreme Instant Heat trade Multisized Hot Rollers

Use on ethinic hair and hair extensions

Mrs. Oregon America 2009 Eugene, Oregon 8/17/2009

 

5 5

Pros: Easy To Use, Good Value, Effective

Best Uses: Frizziness/Flyaways, Color-treated Hair, Normal Hair, Hair Extensions

Describe Yourself: Beauty Conscious

Hair Type: Wavy Hair

I have used my curlers on my own "ethnic" hair and on my hair extensions. They are easy to use and the curls last throughout the day. I love my Conair Xtreme Instant heat curlers.

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4 July 2009 St. Paul Rodeo - "I wana be a cowgirl". I am an Oregonian, I have lived here most of my life, I'd always heard of the St. Paul Rodeo, I even recall seeing the sign on I5 pointing to the town of St. Paul, but it wasn't until this 4th of July when Mrs. Oregon was invited to be a part of the St. Paul Rodeo that I knew what it was all about. What an awesome time with some of the friendliest people I have ever met, and I came to the conclusion that being a rodeo queen is not all glitz and glamour, those girls work hard for their titles and those really cool cowboy hats with the crowns on them. Again with Bob as my chauffer and Daniela as my riding companion we wound our way through the town of St. Paul waving and throwing candy to the spectators on the parade route. Afterwards we were invited to have lunch with the rodeo queens it really was loads of fun.

Cans for a cause...

3 July 2009 - The Waterfront Blues Festival - On this day the ladies of the 2010 Mrs. Oregon America Pageant got together for a good time and a good cause. Entry into the Blues festival did not cost any money, but they were asking for donations of canned food items and wow did my fellow Oregonians come through; the festival raised $573,688 in cash donations and 87,577 pounds of donated food items all proceeds will go to the Oregon Food Bank. I met some really wonderful and interesting people as I sttod by the entry gate and greeted people and though we were not able to see the performances we did hear some great music including headlining rock-blues artist Johhny Winter.

6 June 2009 - The Portland Rose Festival Grand Floral Parade - The Grand Floral Parade has a rich, rich history and I am proud to say that I have been a part of it on more than one occasion as a participant and a spectator, walking and/or riding on a float and it is always a spectacle to behold. I love parades but none more than the Grand Floral, if I wasn't a participant or a street side spectator, I was watching it on television usually with my mom, I guess mom taught me my love for parades. So this year marching in the parade with the One More Time Around Again Marching Band as Mrs. Oregon America 2009, was really a treat. With Ian and Bob following along and popping up as various places along the route, I had a wonderful time walking with Miss Oregon Earth, Miss Portland and Miss Portland's Outstanding Teen. It was a truly unforgettable time.

Long time Portland influencers Paul and Geneva Knauls (and oh by the way they've known me since I was about 5 years old)

Miss Black Oregon Chelsea Deloney

27 June 2009 - Good in the Hood Parade - is a multi-cultural music and food festival held annually in North East Portland and I am proud to say this year I was able to be a part of it. The great part was that I was able to make it a family affair. We decorated Bob's Toyota Tundra up, Ian sat in the passenger seat and Daniela and I sat in the bed of the truck with Blanche and Patsy, my two English Bulldogs. I saw people that I had not seen in years, it felt like "old home week". It's funny how I have been gone from Portland serving in the military for over 20 years, but coming home and becoming Mrs. Oregon has reminded how much I miss old friends and old places, my reign

has really been one wonderful moment after another.

Mrs. Oregon a Proud Mama - On June 15 th I enjoyed one of the proudest nights of my life and it had nothing to do with beauty pageants. The Rankins and Goodwin families watched as son/grandson graduated from Monroe Middle School. The gymnasium was hot, it was almost impossible to see the kids as they "walked across the stage", people were rude and talked, but I was still as proud as I could be as I watched my baby receive his certificate of promotion. But the true highlight was being able to watch Ian and the band with no name (that's not the name, they really don't have a name yet) rock out as a part of the ceremony entertainment. There was poetry reading, piano playing and a number of speeches by the graduating 8th graders. But the crowd favorite had to be the finale, when Ian (lead vocals), Sora (guitar) , Jake (drums) and Corinthia (bass guitar) took the stage to sing "Rock and Roll High School", the kids had a blast and so did the adults. Corinthia was a last minute addition to the group and I must say a welcome addition. With the boys in their black pants, white shirts and tennis shoes, Corinthia added a certain something with her stylish black and white dress and really awesome platform wedge heels, she had a truly matter of fact aire about her that said, "yea I'm with the band", where the boys seemed a little more full of themselves. Corinthia was silently screaming out "GIRLS ROCK"! The kids did wonderful job, I look forward to their future gigs as they all move on to Sheldon High School. My baby a freshmen in high school? It seems like only yesterday that he was a 9.5lbs cherub in my arms.......

Ian receives his Promotion certificate

Ian Rocks

Ian and Sora Rock

Corinthia rocks

Sora, Corinthia, Jake, Ian

The Band with no name.....

4 June 2009 One of the customs of Rose Festival Fleet week is the Officers Reception on the evening that the ships arrive in Portland. This was the second opportunity that I had to attend the reception, the officers truly were ladies and gentlemen, we had a wonderful time and were treated like royalty. I hear that there was much revelry until the wee hours but the beauty queens needed their beauty sleep, to check on their babies, and get home to their hubbies. And so we left the sailors to navigate their way around Portland on their own.

Mostly Canadadian officers in this photo

Miss Oregon, Miss Oregon Earth, Mrs. Oregon and the
delegates of Mrs. Oregon America 2010


The Battleground princess court

Miss Oregon Earth

On 4 June I had the awesome opportunity ride down the Willamette River from the Port of Kalama http://www.portofkalama.com/ into Portland on the USS Shoup DDG86 the ship is named for General David M. Shoup (1904–1983), the 22nd Commandant of the Marine Corps www.shoup.navy.mil . I arrived with my friend Miss Oregon 2008 Danijela Krstic. We took a charter bus ride from downtown Portland to the Port of Kalama. We were soon underway and enjoying a beautiful northwest morning on the river. I was told that this was the first time in many years that during the Rose Festival fleet arrival that it did not rain or it wasn't horribly cold. Danijela and I enjoyed ourselves thoroughly, meeting wonderful civilians, Sailors and Officers.

Mrs. Oregon boards the USS Shoup in Kalama, Wa.

Miss Oregon and Mrs. Oregon embark on

their journey down the Willamette River

History of the USS Shoup

In the Army it's a mess hall. Not sure what it is in the Navy

One of our kind tour guides

We were joined by the Seattle Sehawks Seagals on our trip

Mrs. Oregon found a fellow female military officer and

fellow vegetarian...a good thing when all they were serving

visitors was hamburgers :(

Miss Oregon and Mrs. Oregon pose with a group of Naval

JROTC Cadets

Miss Oregon enjoys the view as she sales into the Rose

City.

The old and the new (Buildings not me) Memorial Coliseum

on the left, Rose Garden on the right

Standing watch as we arrive in Portland