The Day-Before-Jitters

Well,
It's the day before jitters!  I packed yesterday so that I wouldn't have to face that daunting task today, and so that Simba (our dog) wouldn't get too depressed seeing it out!

Today I've been running around getting phone cards activated, and getting emergency numbers all together for my husband, and rechecking all my lists for the millionth time!

I just found out that after 20 hours of flight time into Singapore, and a brief overnight rest, all 40 of us will  be transported to the deck of the Mercy via US Naval helicopter transport ... you know, one of those BIG choppers!!!!  Now, if that won't be a sight to behold I don't know what is.  YEE_HA!

And so, the adventure is about to begin! The people at Project HOPE have been outstanding in their support, enthusiasm and encouragement--they do great deeds everyday!

To all my family and friends, Thanks for your words of support, encouragement and humor ... and yes, Cathy, if the "Wild Thing" logo is still on the Mercy, I'll get a photo by it!!!!

Next missive should be from aboard the USNS Mercy!  I hope I will have access to the internet frequently...just know I'm thinking of you all, and will update you on our work and Mission as often as possible.

Anchors Away!!!

(ps I'm developing a relationship with the webmaster on the Mercy, so maybe I'll get on "his computer" on a farily frequent basis...we'll see!)

Before I "deploy"

Hey all!
Thanks for all the wonderful words of encouragement, it means a lot. As the day of my departure (deployment in Navy terms!) approaches, I am getting more excited and NERVOUS ...so those words really help. I'm spending as much time with Sandy as I can this week, it will be hard to leave him, but I know family and friends will be around for him.

Many have asked if I will be able to post photos while I am gone. I am not sure ... security is pretty type on-baord the ship, so I don't know if I will be able to download photos or not. But I will certainly do so when I get back!

More to come, before my adventure begins. Thanks!

Tsunami HOPE

When I was about 10 years old, I had a wonderful experience that has stayed with me all these years.

It was the day it snowed in my hometown - unheard of in over 50 years!!! While that, in and of itself, is momentous and certainly memorable for a 10 year old, it was what happened later that day that begins this tale of synergy!

My grandmother and aunt (who was a nurse at the time) took my sister and me into San Francisco for a tour of a magnificent, huge ship in dock and open for public tours. It was the Good Ship Hope, a hospital ship that travelled around the world caring for people in underdevopled countries, and providing medical training and supplies.

I remember how amazed I was at the size of the ship, and the captivating photos of the children that had been patients on that ship...many of them younger than me! It was a profoundly moving experience that I still recall frequently.

Now, years later, with my life changed as a Registered Nurse, my husband and I were compelled to find a way I could help with the tsunami relief effort. After much research and applications to different organizations, I came across a beautiful memory from my past. Project Hope!

Yes, Project Hope is still circling the globe with humanitarian aid, medical attention, and teaching--only the ship itself is USNS-Mercy. Memories flooded back, and I knew that this was where I had to be. It's taken a lot of effort, and communication, as well as support and encouragement from my husband to announce
I AM GOING TO INDONESIA WITH PROJECT HOPE for a tour of duty as a Critical Care Nurse on the hospital ship USNS-Mercy.

The synergy of this leaves me in awe. I am so grateful for this opportunity to give back to the world community, I am so grateful for the sacrifice Sandy is making; and I am so sure that this is the place I am meant to be...my childhood dream bringing hope to people awakening from a nightmare.

I'll try to update this blog while onboard ship -- not sure how often I will have access to internet computers, but I believe this will be my main source of communcation with "the outside world".

Thanks for sharing my excitement!
Donna :-)