ZEDRU was already up and about but it seemed like everyone was still getting ready for the day. Some were laying on the ground checking photos from the day before on their phones or cameras. Some were putting pots together to cook the rice for our morning meal. Everyone seemed in no big hurry so I returned to the tent to shoo away more staring children to catch another hour or so of sleep. I slipped back under my cheap red delta airlines blanket and quickly dozed off.
Once again I was awoken by staring children. An hour or so had passed. Olsen was sitting up and Walter was just chilling there as well. They both looked deep in thought. Chantel was still passed out. We heard a truck roll into our little complex so I woke her and said something was happening. She was slow to get up and looked pretty dazed. The four of us stepped out of the tent as a tall bulky white man walked up to us. It was an American named Michael from the Salvation Army who had come to collaborate with local church leaders to get them food. We introduced ourselves and he explained that he had some hundred-thousand relief good packages coming in the next few days and the he needed help distributing them. We explained our mission with ZEDRU and he extended an invitation to us to join him afterwards. ZEDRU was only planning on staying in Leyte 3-4 days, so this presented another opportunity to stay and help even longer.
Michael is a good man doing a lot of good for this disaster and I respect his work and passion in this. Later on in this story we interacted with Michael again in the which I did not agree with him but I want to convey him here in a good light. This did not stop Chantel and I from making jokes about how he interacted with Olsen. They are both Alpha type personalities, and so the more they spoke to each other the more their chins lifted, shoulders spread, and chests puffed out. It wasn't done in a competitive way, just a sizing the other up sort of deal. I caused Chantel to giggle as I pointed out these mirroring behaviors. They both walked away respecting and liking each other though, so I'm glad that worked out.
We walked inside to start helping with breakfast. The rice was pretty much ready, so we grabbed our cans of sardines and I started dishing up servings. I carried a plate to Chantel who had moved into the chapel and found a pew to lay down on. She was asleep again -- or on the verge. We had slept a solid ten hours or so. I began to wonder if something was up. I woke her and she sat up looking very groggy. I offered her the plate which she looked hardly enthused about. I put the back of my hand against the top of her neck and felt her temperature. She was burning up. I felt her forehead and it was the same thing. She had a fairly bad fever. I was worried this could happen and so I had brought plenty of American medicines. These types of fevers I experienced often in my mission. It was a combination of fatigue, lack of food, and dehydration. As other EMTs came over to assist I told them to carry on with what they were doing. I may not have the field skills to apply a tourniquet, but I am very familiar with treating illnesses.
I filled a liter bottle with water, gave her a solid dose of state-side ibuprofen, a cool damp rag, and laid her back down. After resting a bit I insisted she eat some of the granola and noodles that we had. Her appetite was weak but she listened and consented. Mum Beth pulled me aside and asked what I wanted to do. I knew the morning had started slow to ensure everyone was rested for the task ahead. "Retrieval" they called it. This work would consist of searching through the flattened land and debris for corpses to flag for Rescue-Net to then retrieve. They would bag the bodies and we would carry them to the road to be picked up by the military. This work was going to be strenuous, grueling, and as taxing mentally as it would be physically. This was not the right day for Chantel to get sick.
I knew it would be best for her to stay behind to recover and Mum Beth expressed this to me as well. I know Chantel though, and I knew she would want to go regardless. I walked back over to Chantel who was laying down again. I stirred her gently and she looked up at me. She likely saw the look of concern on my face and smiled. She probably knew what I was about to say. I told her what Mum Beth had said and told her that I agreed -- that she should sit this one out. This was likely to be the most harrowing and traumatic experience on the trip (a work that I had not anticipated doing) and I thought it best to protect her -- especially considering this fever. She expressed that she wanted to go despite this. I recognized that this was a fairly important decision for her and I to make -- one that could and likely would have lasting consequences. I looked in her eyes and said a prayer in my mind to God trying to discern what would be the best thing to do.A smile crept on my face and I said she could go if she agreed to conform to certain conditions. She smiled big and asked what they were. I told her she had to be covered head to toe from the sun meaning long sleeves, a hat, pants, and a bandana to cover the back of her neck and that she had to stay hydrated. She consented and I took her plate from her to clean. I told her to keep drinking and resting until we were ready to leave.
I met back up with Mum Beth and the crew. Olsen looked at me with concern for Chantel. I told him what we had decided on. He trusted our judgement and accepted it. I was and still am very grateful for Olsen's companionship in all of this. His combined leadership and followership made every decision we made stronger.
We packed up our gear, prepared ourselves, and strapped on our boots. We put on our surgical masks, rubber gloves, and covered the rest of our exposed skin to protect us from the dangerous diseases and organisms that infest cadavers. Well...except Olsen.
