60 minutes and more....

I hope that you were able to catch the recent 60 minutes program featuring Mercy Ships. If not, here's the link: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=50141230n. This is quite an accurate glimpse into life on the ship and I feel so privileged to be a part of this team, even if just for a couple of months. I am constantly encouraged, challenged, and amazed by all those around me on the ship. I am still unable to understand the dedication exhibited by many of the long-term crew here. These are incredibly talented professionals, but they have forgone the pursuit of a typical ideal of success to serve others, expecting nothing in return. This type of utter selflessless is nothing short of a gift from God. I hope that the patients we care for are as blessed by this hospital as I have been.



Home Sweet Home. At least for the next month.



This has been an exciting week on our ward as we began our highly anticipated plastic surgery service. we will be caring for a variety of patients, including cleft lip repairs, release of burn contractures, and tumor removals. It turns out that many of these patients are children, which is both fun and extremely challenging, as I am not a pediatric nurse. So far I have had several young patients who have suffered extensive burns to their upper extremities, resulting in the formation of scars that drastically impair mobility. In many of these burn cases, the injury has been from cooking, whether it was a hot oil spill or the cooking fire itself. I cringe to think of all the children I have observed here, frying various foods all along the streets of town. This daily task carries so much risk, and yet this is the only way to earn money and provide food. One patient told me she wants to move her fingers again so that she is able to take her exams and complete her schooling. She was injured 6 years again and has been unable to continue her education as a result. It will be a long and difficult journey for these patients, but I hope that the surgeries and lengthy therapies performed here will allow each individual to return to maximum functionality.



Prior to plastic surgery starting this week, life had been rather quiet on the ship. We sent most of our VVF patients home, not knowing what the future will hold for them, but praying they will remain dry and that they would continue to grow in knowledge of the Lord. After these discharges, the nurses on my ward were primarily doing extensive cleaning of the ward in preparation for plastics (a patient population with a high risk for infection). We have also been helping out with miscellaneous tasks throughout the ship. It has been very interesting to see how each department works together to provide quality treatment and care for the patients here.

 

Some of the patients we have discharged prior to plastics starting this week. I'll miss spending time with these humorous and beautiful women.  



In contrast to the idyllic atmosphere on the ship, there has been quite a bit of unrest throughout the country, limiting some of our activities off the ship. Although certain programs have been temporarily cancelled, I have still been able to participate in a few nearby activities. This week I served as a "security" for an eye screening for cataract patients. It is so incedible to me that we get to restore sight to so many patients, and yet there is still so much heartbreak in the process. There are just hundreds of people pushing to be treated, and we have to turn so many away. The screenings are often (nearly) out of control as there is such a great need from the population and we can only treat a limited number of people. It is so difficult for us to turn people away, and I cannot even imagine the desperation they must feel, as they will have no other options for medical care. It is not just an issue of not being able to afford the hospital bill. There is simply a complete lack of hospitals and viable treatment options here.

 I have also had the chance to visit a school for the deaf. It is wonderful to spend time with the students there, as it is the only place where my inability to speak the local language is not an issue. All the children here are so friendly and they love to just sit and play with you, regardless of the actual activity. There is also a place called the Hope Center, where discharged patients and families can stay if the patient will require follow up. It is so nice to visit with patients outside of the hospital. Seeing these patients thrive after surgery has brought me so much joy. I just love being a part of this whole process!



At the school for the deaf, playing a game of Jenga (a favorite here)


  

Doing crafts at the Hope Center