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.
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 :)
