Day 3 - First Full day

 My first full day in PACU was a pretty good one.  I've learned new things, new procedures, new conditions, new bacteria and viruses, new medications, and above all a new people!  

On board we have "day crew" workers who are local hires that come on board every day after going through training to accomplish various tasks.  The ones that I interact with most are our translators.  Every patient has a 1:1 translator in pre-op, holding, and in PACU.  Can you imagine waking up disoriented with strange people, with strange skin wearing a mask, with strange smells and not understanding anything that is going on around you?  Can you imagine that as a frightened child?  Our translators help us to communicate to both lessen their anxiety as well as help us care for them.  They are truly amazing and a gift from God.

I haven't yet been off the ship but I'm hoping to venture out tomorrow evening.  

Day 2 - Orientation

Lots of orientation.

I started the day with breakfast and an all hands meet.  Those of us who just arrived as well as those who are leaving were asked to stand.  I'm starting to feel a little less anonymous which is comforting.

After that we moved into OR orientation, met with IS to get internet and ship email set up, and then I finally got to see the PACU and meet my new colleagues.  I got to see the layout of the paperwork which isn't really all that different from what is normally done in the places I have worked.  After that I sat with a little girl who was sitting on her father's lap getting ready for surgery.  His faith in us was unwavering.  Caring for anyone's child is a humbling experience and this seemed more profound than most.  Strange people, from strange places, who speak strange languages are bestowed with the solemn responsibility to care for this little one.  It's humbling. 

This precious little one was obviously nervous.  You don't have to speak the same language to understand fear.  She colored a butterfly coloring page which helped to put her mind on something else besides the upcoming procedure.  Initially she refused to speak so we just sat there while I handed her crayons that she picked out.  With the help of the translator I got her to open up a bit.  I think I even saw a hint of a smile.  

Then, more orientation... 😆

Day 1 - Here we go!

Up to breakfast and then back for a nap.  I slept another 2 hours or so and feel much more human.  We had a great tour of the boat starting from the top of deck 12 all the way down to deck 2.  I'm signing up for a tour of the engine room. The Global Mercy (GLM) is huge (photo below of deck 6 that runs the length of the ship).  Common areas for families, children, and adult crew.  We got to see the bridge and all of what into makes this ship function.  The dining hall keeps us well fed and there are several recreational areas.  

My cabin is on deck 6 that I share with Caroline.  She’s a ward nurse on board who is also from the US.  

We had a worship service this evening and then fellowship time with my cremates.  I learned a bit how to play Quirkle.  It's a fun pretty fun game!

 

Let's Get This Show in the Air!

I’ve never been a good one at good byes or, as we learned to call them, “see you laters.”  After a fun dinner with my family, I headed off to the airport where my tear ducts got a good cleaning out.  I doubt I'm the first red-eyed passenger that TSA has encountered but, I digress... The flight to Madrid was uneventful although I’m quite certain that airplane manufacturers have started making the seats out of cinder blocks. LOL

A stop in Madrid allowed me to change clothes and freshen up a little as well as grab a snack and make a good call home.  

The flight to Dakar was unusual from typical US and western European travel.  The social norms are very different.  It's hard not to wonder if the route has anything to do with it. The plane and equipment were obviously old and with very few amenities; the seats didn't even recline.  I sat next to the kindest man who, despite our combined better efforts, I was very limited to understand.  My French is terrible.  Nevertheless, we shared a friendly trip in the sky and I got a view of Dakar at night.

Our drive was about an hour to the ship after we had gathered all who were arriving.  Homes without electricity, water, and even windows were lining the highway.  Things that we take so incredibly for granted are presumably luxuries. 

We arrived at the ship where I had the most dreadful badge picture taken; posing for photos after 20+ hours of travel is not ideal.  We had a brief introduction and then were shown to our cabins.  I briefly unpacked, grabbed a snack, and my eyelids closed.  

The rest can be done tomorrow.

I am here.

Thank You to My Sponsors!!

 This mission is completely independently funded.  Everything, including my time, is donated.  The financial support of those who love me is humbling and I am so very grateful!

Liana Bass

Amanda Donn

Scott & Alice Giblin

Nancy Greiner & Jason Savage

Dennis Hess & Michelle Sitton

Brian & Crystal Heverly

Alan & Brenda Leondard

Mike & Amanda Pickens

Erin Powell

Dr. Janet Rogers

Aruoture Shakarho

Alice Spence

Check, Check, and Check!

 

Today was my vaccine day!  CoVid bi-valent in one arm and Yellow Fever in the other.  Malaria prophylaxis waiting at the pharmacy and oral Typhoid in the fridge.

I feel like a human petrie dish! 😁

Check, check, and check!  All the final details are finishing up and I leave in just over a month!

Fundraising!

 Thus far, I have raised $205 of my $5000 fundraising goal.

If you are interested in helping to relieve the financial burden of this mission trip, I would be most grateful.  

The electronic transfers that I have available are through Zelle and PayPal both of which you can access with my email address: dcholland@hotmail.com  

I was having some issues last week so just for clarification ***I WILL RESPOND*** to any donations that are made.  If you do not hear from me, it did not go through. 

Thank you for your support and I look forward to sharing this experience with all of you!

Cindy