My name is Juliette, and I have been a nurse in the emergency department at Real Hope for Haiti since 2015. Every day, I care for patients with a wide range of medical conditions, some straightforward and others requiring more specialized attention.

Recently, I treated Destine, a 61-year-old patient who came to the clinic with an abdominal abscess. Unlike abscesses in more visible areas, this one was more difficult to detect and required careful management. Instead of performing an immediate incision, we needed to allow it to develop naturally before we could intervene.

To support this process, we started ceftriaxone injections for 10 days while applying a Vaseline-based ointment daily to soften the skin and encourage drainage. By the fifth day, the abscess had softened enough for debridement. We then cleaned the area and inserted gauze strips, which we changed daily during dressing changes.

Once the injections were completed, we transitioned to a seven-day course of tablets to ensure the infection was fully treated. Destine was committed to his recovery, attending all his follow-up visits for wound care and monitoring.

For four weeks, we continued his treatment, and day by day, his condition improved. By the end of his care, the abscess had completely healed, and he no longer had any pain.

One of the most rewarding aspects of being a nurse is seeing patients arrive in discomfort and leave in good health. With the resources available to us, we work to provide effective care and help patients on their path to healing. Stories like Destine’s remind me why I love what I do.