One week later...

It’s been a week since arriving to the Africa Mercy . Most of the week was spent being lost on the ship and terms like “starboard”, “port side" etc, have not been helpful. Some of this wandering had to do with new onset vertigo with a splash of low blood pressure when standing. It seems to finally be resolving.

Picture#1-Pre-admission testing. Patients come here to be vetted for surgery, If they qualify, they will be scheduled and come back here for pre-op. Patients then go to the ward, spend the night, and have surgery the next day.

Picture # 2- Gangway( Gangplank)- There is more to these than I ever considered. Most accidents on the ship often happen here. As far as gangways go, this apparently is a good one.

Picture #3-This is the captain’s gangway. The gangway opens to the second deck, which is where the hospital is located. This past Sunday, was Pentecost Sunday, and I was working in ward A. In recognition of this day, the charge nurse opened the gangway door and put a big table in the narrow room inside. We transferred 15 patients, kids, teenagers, and adults to the table to have lunch together, with lots of sunshine coming through the door opening. There were many smiles, laughter, and conversations.

Picture#4- Handwashing Station

This is a novel idea! Wondering if all Hospitals might consider a washing station for everyone to use before they enter a hospital…That might just make too much sense!