Ships log #19

This past week has flown by with us putting in many physical hours to put the operating theatre to rights.  All the   instruments for the coming field service have been checked and resterilised.  We have this opportunity to have every set opened, relabelled and adjusted if required - a real luxury which is not possible in a hospital at home that runs 24/7 - 365 days of the year.  I am also coming to grips with the plastic surgery requirements for the coming surgeon and with unfamiliar trade names of dressings and equipment.  This a bit of a challenge at the outset as the surgeon becomes familiar with surgery back on the ship again (he has been many times before) and what we have available for him this time !!  Mercy Ships mostly relies on donated products from a variety of reputable companies so it is sometimes like opening a present at Christmas time - its not really what you want but it will do fine :)

We are gearing up now for screening day on Wednesday with mass orientation meetings and discussions about how to react to patients who are in distress, medically very unwell, have disfigurements that are quite unsightly, and those that Mercy Ships are just unable to help at this time.  Everybody has been allotted a job on the day which involves either being at a station for assessment of each type of physical affliction or surgical need , movement of patients from one station to the next, entertainment of children, provision of water or prayer, security or care of those where surgery is just not possible with Mercy Ships.  We need to have breakfast at 5am (YIKs !!) as the plan is to start assessing patients by 7am.  Prospective patients are probably already accumulating at the screening site ( a local high school) and many would have travelled miles from home to attend.  Advertising has been put throughout the country but those from surrounding countries may also turn up in the hope of a cure.

I am anticipating undertaking my job at the final checking station with some trepidation but also with  excitement at the prospect of interacting with a huge number of the prospective patients for the Africa Mercy during this field service.  I will attempt to ensure that each patient is treated as an individual and has as full an understanding as possible of their surgical journey to come.  My hope is that we can meet everybody's needs in some way.

I have no photos for you this week, even though I have been out to the markets over the weekend, due to just not taking my camera - but will  describe some aspects of my local surrounds.  The ship is berthed in a dock area (of course, you say) which is surrounded by container vessels, which change  constantly, fishing boats and warehouses.  We have to walk about 1.5 km to the port gate - shuttles run on some days - but the walk is good for us and due to the weather being cooler here and also lower humidity its quite  comfortable being outside.   We then take either a taxi or bus van (where we are packed in like sardines) to the market or beyond.  Markets were just as busy and chaotic (to the uninitiated anyway) as  Guinea but full of life and friendly locals.  We managed a few interactions again with our basic French and I purchased a fresh avocado and just enjoyed discovering the different types of fruit and vegetables available here in the Congo. There were also stalls with ready made local clothing and was tempted to get another skirt and blouse but perhaps next week. There is a real supermarket nearby if we need any western provisions and  many small restaurants selling local and foreign food.  The beach, which is within a half hour walk, has big surf and we are advised not to swim there due to he undercurrent but some of the guys have discovered already that  it provides good entertainment for their surf boards so they are pretty happy.  The surrounding countryside, I understand, is very picturesque, with plenty of safe walking tracks and views of gorges and forest areas.  I intend to get out there next weekend and discover it for myself (photos promised).

Its late now and there is still plenty to do tomorrow and an early night would be a good idea in preparation for the big screening day.  I hope they will provide us with caffeine in the water bottles on the day !!  Hope, all my dear family, friends, and followers of my adventure, you are well and hearty. Aurevoir for now :)

Ships log # 18

Just a quick note to stay that I have arrived safely in Pointe Noire (Republic of Congo) despite nearly missing my connection in Addis Abab !!  Alls well that ends well though and it was fortunate that I was the only white girl on the flight so was easy to find as the missing passenger.  The staff were very friendly and said - madam your flight is waiting to depart - I now know how royalty feel :)

Am getting used to life on board again and have been welcomed back by so many people it has been quite touching.  We are busily putting the operating theatre department to rights after everything was shuffled around in the packing up prior to sailing to the Canary Islands.  The major screening day is next Wednesday then surgery begins in ernest on 2nd Sept.  I will be part of the final checking team to make sure all patients understand when to come back for surgery and also what is to be expected - I can imagine very few would have had any experience of going for an operation so it may be very daunting.  Fortunately we once again have local translators to assist in this process.

Have connected with some NZers already and will be working alongside Sue from Tauranaga which will be great and have Australasian dinner out planned for next Friday - I think this 8wk period will fly by but be satisfyingly busy and productive.

There is lots to explore in this new country where I have discovered that the populations is the same as NZ and there a very high % of Christians (more than muslims) - unlike Guinea where it was about 90% muslim and 5% Christian.  French is not the predominat language so I am madly brushing up on two types of greetings in the local languages - Kituba and Lingala.  WOW !! The learning never stops - and much to the mirth of my family I have started ballet classes very kindly provided on board by one of the crew members _ I am now the proud owner of a pair of pink ballet flats and appreciating the movement and music of the class much more so than when I was 12 yr old and didn't want to practice - and I wondered why I didn't improve :)

Enough for now - have made use of the quicker broadband time early in the morning so away to breakfast now - hopefully add some pics over the weekend

Cheers to all - Vicki

Ships log #17

Well hello :)

I'm back ..... while in the final stages of repacking for Africa I thought I would update my blog on what I have doing during this time of R+R in London.   The 8 week period has been hectic at times (train catching all around the UK), stressful (negotiating the tubes),  thought provoking (writing articles focused on my thesis content), and just relaxing (enjoying the super summer and the sights and sounds of the big apple).

I have also met up with some former Mercy Shippers resident back here in London ...

.... here with occupational therapist Sharon at Windsor Castle....

....amongst many other unplanned events - me here waiting for Kate Middleton to finish her phone call !!

I have spent quite a bit of time dissecting my thesis while in the UK and have managed to write 2 articles suitable for publication and produce 3 more drafts so a great start I feel to be completed when I get home and reattached to  my trusty referencing program - I am lost without it and need it to finalise articles so that they are suitable for different journal formats.  I am very pleased to have so many focus points to discuss and thoroughly enjoyed revisiting the thesis after a break of several months.  For those who haven't caught up with the news I got an "A" for my thesis so will now graduate with a Masters of Clinical research (distinction) in December of this year.  Am somewhat pleased with myself :)

I have so enjoyed spending so long in the UK and have come to appreciate London and absolutely love all the old buildings....

...the many churches - such as Westminister Abbey...

... and St Pauls cathedral...

...and the ancient architecture of this prolifically Victorian city...

...here near Chancery Lane ...






.... and here on Parliament buildings.

I have also had the opportunity to see the countryside full of historic villages (aren't they all ?) and townships beside the waterways here at Foxton Locks...

... catch up with NZ friends and relatives and visit the north  near Cambridge where I discovered there was a university college named after my daughter...

... with a stunning dinningroom prepared for a formal dinner...




..... and to Scotland and the sight of vast amounts of bracken, heather, and castles !!

...with many noteworthy buildings in Edinburgh ....

....and then there was the fringe festival - WOW !!! - what more can I say - a definite for anybodies bucket list I think   :D

 But naturally I could not leave town without talking about the bag pipers on almost every corner - and the military tattoo which was genuinely a sight to behold !!!

.... south  to Southampton and Chichester....

 ... and the hills above Brighton ......

.....and west to Henley-on-Thames.

I loved it all !!!  - but I think the Edinburgh fringe festival was the most memorable.  We went to 22 shows over 5 days plus watched numerous street performers and just took in the wonderful ambiance of the city with its stone buildings, secret alleyways and many lanes and courtyards.

I could have stayed there another week !!!

But now the time has come (the walrus said) to return to the ship and I am preparing my mind and body for fulltime work again - along with the wee cabin  - and the prospects of making a load more friends :)

I am repacked and with a little trepidation am heading for the airport to fly to Pointe Noire in the Republic of Congo via Addis Ababa in Ethiopia.  I once again have been promised to be met at the other end :)

The anticipation of returning to the ship has been upon me since I arrived in London as it is a special place and has a community feel like no other I have ever experienced.  It is where everybody works towards the one goal and the consideration I have felt that people have for their fellow colleagues is unique.   I will wind this blog up now and prepare my lunch before I am airport bound and a thru the night flight :( but at least I am on my way.

Will be brushing up on my french again en route and hope to hit the ground running.  Ta ta for now. See you in the Congo xo