Still recovering from two fractured ribs from a couple of weeks ago. This nurse of the street finally was feeling well enough for a long mountain bike ride and to “Go to the people.”
We have had a number of storms in the past few days and they are now releasing large outflows from Folsom Dam causing a dramatic rise to our rivers and sloughs. There have been a number rescues by the Sacramento Fire Department from low lying areas where some of our homeless camp. Most have moved to high ground but a few have remained in their camps and are now surrounded by the rivers and sloughs. I had to practice old bike packing skills and portage’ my bike and gear across one waist deep area using two logs to access a camp.
One of the sloughs at Discovery Park now almost at street level.
I was able to follow up with a couple of people who had come into clinic and met with a number of others who needed wound care and others who needed follow up in area clinics. I saw a number of weather related and environmental injuries including a severe case of immersion foot. Also caught up with HARM Reduction Services at their Tuesday evening location and checked on some folks there.
This is a pretty severe case of immersion foot that comes from feet that are constantly wet. It can be a dangerous condition if not treated quickly. I dried his feet and slowly rewarmed them and gave him dry socks and shoes. He is now being evaluated in the ER and we will continue to follow him.
Saturday was spent out with Lisa Heinlein a pre-nursing student looking at locations for indoor popup clinics for the medical students I have been working with for the past several months. I was asked by Asadullah Awan a medical student at UC Davis School of Medicine to be his site preceptor for his MPH practicum project and accepted that request. His practicum will be in street medicine. His faculty advisor is Dr. Stephanie Sanchez. As though it is not enough to be in medical school he would also complete his masters in public health at the same time. These students just amaze and inspire me.
This is Sarah Johnson MS 1 at UC Davis School of Medicine she works at JVMC student run clinic on Saturday and volunteers with Harm Reduction Services. We talked and she plans to come on street rounds with street nurse.
I also want to give a shout out to Amy Newton for the hygiene kits she made for men and women and my other friends and supporters who helped restock street nurse with supplies and clothing. Much going on as we move our program to the next level so keep checking back.
Started the day out in the camps around 2PM and was out past 7PM. At the end of the day and you have done your best it is still tough to go home and leave them behind.
Looking towards what is now an island camp.