Pictures on the ward

 

A 7 year old, Secgraf, whose name meant mistake. She was quiet, sad, withdrawn, malnourished little girl. Her 2 year old sister was a chunk and outgoing and appeared to have all of her Mom's love. She came in with a large bilateral cleft lip/palate that needed repair. She was malnourished from years of being unable to eat properly. After her surgery and feeding program and cuddles from nurses, she was a changed little girl from the inside out. She smiled more, actually played some on the ward instead of sitting in a corner watching the other children. Her mother agreed to change her name with some encouragement and chose "Blanche" for white like snow! Pray for this little girl to grow and change and have a osi self esteem as she learns from Him!

 This is another little girl who was 11 years old, Immanuel. She also was about half the size of a true 11 year old and needed a cleft/lip palate repair. She is seen her just a few days postop and you will see a feeding tube that we use with the bag of pedisure hanging infusing to add calories to help heal wounds and gain ground nutritionally while in the hospital. Her mom is not pictured but was a gem and a huge help and toatally loved her little girl. Her Dad also came to ship visiting hours from 6:30 to 8pm several nights to see his little girl. (Only one care giver per patient unless it is a younger sibling who is breastfeeding)

 This is Juevenal who had a huge noma (google it!) that had eaten half of his face away. He is seen here at his second surgery where some plastic reconstruction had been done. You truly had to see him before to understand the amazing healing and reconstuct had been done. I will try to get some of the "before" pictures to show some of the miracles that happen here. Below, Juevanal and I take on a game of connect 4 in a few quiet moments on the ward. He loves Jesus and could often be seen up and dancing in the isle during church or afternoon singing/prayers! A totally unique experience in my world!!!

PHOTOS

 Photo is of laundry including the surgical linen hanging on the lines to dry as no dryers to keep up with all the linens and it does actually decrease infection rate IF dries completely before it rains. (We are in middle of rainy season wih rain most afternoons)

This is one of the 2 hospitals in the city we are at port in...Pointe Noire, Congo with one Mercy Ships nurses out front.

 

This is the neonatal intensive care area. The babies are kept in a very small area together and many under bili lights or on IV fluids, a few have actual IV pumps but we count drops to regulate IVs here..(think back to when ?I graduated nursing school!) The area was clean and they are certainly trying. However, all the equipment needed for the baby must be bought by the parents before the baby receives the care...ie feeding tubes, formula, catheters, etc. Sometimes the equipment can not be found locally even if one can afford to pay.

 

 The entrance to the neonatal ward.

 

There were little openings in the forage along the river where if you looked closely  you could see huts behind and where the river people "docked" their boats.

 

 
the Congo has very few roads as people travel here in canoes up and down the river that goes all the way up into the rain forest and the pygmy people.

 

There were 21 of us packed into a van that "normally" holds 15! on the way to the river.

 

 

 They had dug out canoes with a man with motor on back and little chairs for us to sit on as we climbed in for an hour ride up and down the Congo River.

 

Psalm 19:1-4

1The heavens declare the glory of God;
    the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
² Day after day they pour forth speech;
    night after night they reveal knowledge.
³ They have no speech, they use no words;
    no sound is heard from them.
⁴ Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
    their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.

ship trivia

New ship trivia :-)

only 2 minute showers are allowed on ship and only one  load of laundry

yes, my clothes will come home looking like the typical college students where whites are dingy gray and darks are not darks but fuzzy with white towel material! :-)

2 min. showers mean you get wet...no letting the water warm up first!..wet, ok....quickly turn off shower.  Soap up...oops now you can no longer turn  the shower knob on so have a dry washcloth nearby (not a problem on  ship as the bathroom is a tiny  closet to most of you!) Rinse and even though nothing in you wants to, turn OFF water! Only allowed one daily so chose after work out, ward shift, bedtime. :-)   ok, I admit to cheating here!

Ship vocabulary: Plimsoll line: in the 19th century, ships were often recklessly overloaded,resulting in those ships going down and the crews being lost at sea. In 1875, to remedy the negligent practice, British politician Samuel Plimsoll led the charge for legislation to create a line on  the side of a ship to show if it was carrying too much cargo. That "load line" became known as the Plimsoll Line, and it continues to mark hulls of ships today. (Info compliments of Daily Bread reading on Jan. 23rd) I enjoy  watching out the ship portals to see if a ship is coming in heavily loaded with cargo or floating high and not much onboard...never thought or knew before. (Ok, where do you Iowans use that knowledge..your next cruise..Google?)

Eye Screening

I went to help complete the eye screening today so was outside with patients. It was nice to be out in the sun even if it got a bit hot. The children were all so well behaved and very sweet. The people even stayed in lines! What a contrast from Lebanon. Different people on the ship are able to drive the land rovers. Our driver today was retired USA cop. The traffic was awful but he cut right in with the rest of them! Few stoplight and round abouts having 15 cars going all directions.  We screened about 160 people and about 30 are possible eye surgery patients for onboard the ship with cataracts etc. I work tomorrow night and then two days off!

 

Things I have learned so far....

* We are only allowed to leave in a group (so very happy I got invited to the river on Saturday).

* Be sure and never say boat when the captain is around! It's a ship :)

* We have weekly cabin inspections because it is maritime law. Life on a ship.  Here is my lovely space. I have the top bunk.

I am sure this list will grow much longer!

Meals on board

We had fish and chips for supper. The food is maybe a bit greasy but overall the cooks do a great job, I have fresh mangos!
Breakfast is cereal or plain yogurt or toast or porridge.
Lunch isn't served on sat or sun so you just make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich or a salad to eat later. There is always lettuce and tomato and cucumbers and oranges and mango and grapefruit at lunch or dinner with veggies like green beans, carrots, spinach or rice. Main dish changes but some sort of meat.
The food gets brought on the ship through huge containers that are sent by boat from other countries and normally donated from around the world.
Meals around town are a little different and while we were out walking these are some of the things we came across in the market.

 

 
 The wild animals were sold on the side of the street the same as the piles of bananas or the rows of fresh fruit and vegetables.  

Sunday Service

Good morning! It is noon here and was able to have quiet time and lively ward church service this morning. We aren't allowed to take pictures of patients or their family on the ship as they have rights and self esteem for us to try and protect. But, there was the cutest little 6 month old in her mothers arms this morning. She had the cutest shy smile and dark brown face that shows off her two little baby teeth on the bottom, pierced ears, soft fluffy tight curled hair, wearing a red pillow case dress with contrasting white ties around the armholes and neck. (Tell Pat they are everywhere!) Her mom was wearing traditional, red, yellow, black long dress. A beautiful match!
We read the story in acts of the beggar outside gate beautiful where Peter and John went to pray and the beggar was healed in the name of Jesus of Nazareth. So much healing to still be done here. They definitely know how to sing and praise God...drums and clapping and stomping of feet and dancing!

Hello all!

Hello all!
I have no clue if this will truly work so will justt have a go at it with the hopes of pictures to follow sometime this next week! A true miracle for this technically challenged lady if you ever saw one! I indeed arrived safely after 48 hours of airports/airplanes/and the knowledge that the airport in France is freezing...God had a better plan to have me meet up with dear friend's French friends but I never heard page at airport and my electronics couldn't connect to wireless. So plan B or God's plan A? No idea!

 

 The ship was a bit of a cultural shock as there were meetings and more meetings and people and more people and tours and more tours! There are over 600 people on board and 35 nations represented. One can sit in the dining room with 6 people from 6 different countries. For example: breakfast was with OR nurse from communist Romanian now living in Germany, ophthalmologist from Holland, nurse from Australia, pharmacist from France and lab tech from China and ME! True cultural exchange! I am now embracing the beautiful woven fabric but beginning was rough trying to figure out how to fit in. Some of the "long termers", rightfully so, are a bit exhausted of making new friendships when we all just leave again. The 'newcomers" have no idea where to find things, what is 'expected" what is 'normal" "how to make things like electronics work". We need each other but I esp. had a total feeling of not "fitting" in. (Think back to jr. high days...yes, way back for some of us! :-) and walking into lunch room of 300+ people and not knowing where to sit and not knowing anyone...oh, my!) Even though I "knew" people, one has a hard time finding the 6 you might know in a crowd of 600! Yes, God brought me through all that to say "I am with you and will never leave you or forsake you" His presence is an amazing comfort and rock.

Ship words for you all to learn! ;-) Bow(front of ship) aft (back) starboard (right side) port (left) IMPORTANT to know if you want learned the hard way, so be quick to learn these!

Medical: I have worked a day shift and 3 pm shifts. Days is 0700 to 1530 (usually 4-5 nurses for shift); pms 1400 to 2300 (3-4 nurses); nights 2200 to 0730...a long one with just 2 nurses. Our patients are mostly adults with facial/neck/oral tumors some massive size never seen in USA because would have been treated long before ever grew to such size. My heart goes out to these pts. who have often been outcasts of society, downtrodden, cast aways. They tolerate an amazing amount of pain even though we medicate around the clock after surgery...there are numerous dressing changes, therapy, treatments. Please do pray for healing, wisdom, God's touch upon each and every one.
As a nurse, be prepared to not be able to flush and IV...totally different equipment, make an automatic blood pressure machine work...can't even find button to turn it on!. Medications are all "proper names" here so no generic ones that you might think you know! on and on and on...humbling, huge learning curve, helpless, numerous questions, patients in a ward watching your every move...YOU are their nurse for the night...yes, they are scared...wouldn't you be?! LAUGH at yourself here or you will cry! :-)

God is with you even to the end of the age! Blessings and love from the Congo!

First Week

I had a rough go of it for the first few days. I was so used  to small tight community on trips like this and had no idea what I truly expected. As  you may have heard, God has given me "signs" along the way that "He truly never leaves  us or  forsakes us." one of the nurses from research on my unit at the hospital arrived 2 hours early for the first delayed flight so we had hours together; in France even though I missed my dear friends' attempt at connecting  me with some French friends, God provided a nurse from Australia who was coming to Mercy Ships to find  each other almost immediately upon arriving to  spend the 12 hour layover with (just in case I would miss His hand upon me, God had her named Becky...my sister and youngest daughter's Becca's name!) upon arriving  in  the country, Mercy Ships staff were right there with us at the gate! My first night in the hospital, one of the quilts on a patient's bed was almost identical to one that had been given to me by Ron's folks. The second song at worship the day we arrived, was "This is the day that The Lord hath made"....sung at our  wedding 39 years ago! Yes, God is and always will be with me! 

Then perhaps came the harder days. The ship has 7 levels and stairs don't lead to the same places. We had multiple tours but with each tour for me, came more confusion! I knew in advance that I would  be in a cabin  with 6 gals, but never once  thought about what that meant as far as one bathroom. Oh my! Even with only 2 minute showers a rule of the ship, that took  some getting  used  to. :-)  

I also  was assigned  a top bunk...just envision lots of awkward climbing in and out for the first few days. :-) People you met,  you may never see again for 24 hours as the place is huge and everyone is working "somewhere". I couldn't get  on the computer  and  would send lengthy emails only for them to "disappear" once I did figure out how to log in.

I totally admit I was close to tears some of those days. The emotions of finally arriving at a place you have dreamed about for years and feeling totally alone,  were a bit overwhelming. Add to that the fact that nursing-wise, nothing ie equipment, charting, meds (no generic names) is the same.....I am taking  care of adult ENT (ears,nose throat) some with massive facial/head/neck tumors....a  long ways from neonatal ICU! A totally humbling experience. But, God is near. 

Things are  getting better each day and I can walk into the dining room and find someone I might know.  I am looking forward  to tomorrow, Saturday, and a day off to regroup, sleep in, and have a  very,  very long  time with the Lord! Thanks so much for your  prayers!! They have truly gotten me through this first week! "Now to Him who is able to do more than we could ever imagine, we give glory and praise and honor...Praise The Lord!"

technical difficulties

Hello all,

My mom has made it safely to the CONGO. She is aboard the boat and is getting settled into a routine. She is sharing a room with 5 other ladies...6 women..... one bathroom. Definitely a challenge! She was very happy her carryon and her duffle both fit on the floor under her bunk. She has a narrow, tall closet so she is able to put most of her things away.  She says it's a bit strange living on a ship and that she gets lost finding things but there are lots of wonderful people onboard.

 She has had to go to many meetings and learn lots of new things. She is working the 3-11:30 shift. When she heads to work she walks literally through one huge steel fire door and then 20 steps away to ward d and her patients. She is looking forward for this weekend off and a chance to go on a field trip.

She has had a hard time getting her internet working but hopefully soon you will get to hear from her directly!

out of Iowa

The airport adventures continue. Went to the airport in CR early today and got to wait with someone I knew from the hospital for three hours and then got to see Lois and Randy and Jenny there too! Fun to have four people I know on the plane with me. :-) Our plane was delayed because of weather but I still had plenty of time to get out of Atlanta.  I got to speak to a woman trying to get to Budapest who was upset that she's not going to make her connection. She was very worried but I got to talk with her and distract her for awhile!

Boarded the second plane to Paris now. Hoping to do lots of sleeping. I'll update again from Congo!

flying tomorrow, Lord willing!

The time has almost come  to leave  on the adventure God has called me to...I will leave at 12:45 tomorrow, Friday the 10th from Cedar Rapids to Atlanta. Then to Paris  and the Congo  to arrive Sunday am. Please pray for the first flight especially as the forecast is to have sleet and freezing rain in am here in Cedar Rapids. The Lord is in control! Sleep well my dear friends. 

Adventures about to begin

Hello all,
The adventure is about to begin to Mercy Ships and the Congo. Our  kids just totally surprised  us this afternoon with a combined 60th birthday surprise  party for Ron and I AND a bon voyage party. Wow! What a blessing to have  family drive hours in  this frigid weather , friends from all walks  of our lives and shared memories of a life time! Thank you all!
 Now  I really think I should be on my way. :-) I have my bags packed and since it weighs 50.2 pounds, I can't put anything in without taking something out. I leave Friday from Cedar Rapids to Atlanta to Paris to the Congo to arrive 48 hours later on Sunday morning. Work starts Monday morning so I will blog when I know what "work" on a hospital ship is like.