Salsa Dancing on Wednesdays??

Well, I had my first patient last night ... after all the ship and hospital orientation, it was nice to get to work ...I'm on PM's which is great for every reason, except one...we miss out on the MD lectures at 8 pm ... and Salsa dancing on Wednesday! :-)

I really felt like I was working in a MASH unit! While much of their equipment is new, and amazing, it's the little things that are missing that make you laugh, and challenge you to be creative in how you do things. The people here are so grateful for anything that we do for them...even handing them a towel brings a warm smile and grateful gesture.
These people are gracious, and gentle...and amazingly resilient. When I get back you will see some lovely pictures of how they care for each other. One of the wards actually looks like a little camp, and they all help take care of each other.
There's a little boy that we are all still trying to get to smile...and it may work yet. Thanks to you folks who donated money ...the children are enjoying little beachballs, beanie babies, and colorful stickers...and boy do they love crayons!
I am actually working in the ICU, which is mostly adults, but we do have a little 9 month old baby that we are all pulling for.
We are treating people now that have nowhere else to go for their care. The hospital is slowly recovering...SLOWLY...in case you didn't know...all the patients in that hospital and about half the staff were killed in the wave. Clean-up is extensive, and replacement of equipment is a big issue.

The international presence has been impressive. The Australians and Germans have large land based set-ups, and the UN and Red Cross tents are prevalent, especially on the flight line of the airport where we arrived.
We don't know until the night before if we are going to go on land...it all depends on what's needed where. The logisitcs are amazing. All transport of patients and their family is by helio, and those pilots are amazing, strong, gentle and compassionate. (and they have a real sense of humor watching we civilians struggle with jumpseat seatbelts, and marvelling at every little thing they take for granted. But with the patients, they are caring, compassionate, and strong.)

This is a different world out here (on land AND on sea) and the discovery for me is significant. I have become a little more introspective, and lot more patient and grateful for what my life is like. It's a true privilege to be here.
On the lighter side of ship life ... I live in the dark! Our berthing is for 100 people (only that's if all the top berths (3up!) are filled). We all work different shifts, so the lights are off to allow folks to sleep ... The lights come on at 5pm until about 8 or 9... but I'm working then! I've become adept at searching through lockers, and tiptoeing through a labrynth of bunks (trying not to trip on the shoes and duffles on the floor (there are no places to stow your bags if they don't fit in the opening under the lockers).

Haven't hurt myself yet, and have only blinded one person with my flashlight...we were both rounding the corner at the same time ... I think we woke a few folks up with that encounter...but no one knows it was us!
So, that's it for now, got to sign off before the system fails again...I'll have more news about the people as my days and nights continue to unfold. Hard to believe I've only been on board ship for 4 days...with all we have experienced, I feel I have been here a month...so much in so little time!