Four days worked and I'm feeling at home. I have spent much of the week working in the rooms with surgeons who specialise in reconstructive plastic surgery. All these cases have a story to tell. Many involve accidents with oil lamps. Others are quite literally war wounds but from civil war. A complete history is not always available as the mind has a way of blocking out atrocities and sometimes injuries incurred as a young child are not remembered clearly.
One young lady comes to mind whose burns were so severe that her abdomen was not only covered with scars but had a long keloid scar that pulled up skin from her thigh making a long line of scar tissue. Quite how she stood upright I cannot imagine. She had no hands but stumps and one arm was particularly damaged by scar forming a web under her armpit. And yet she was breastfeeding....
It has however also been a week of mirth, merriment and joy. Meeting up with many friends among the operating rooms as both nurses and surgeons are onboard again. But also to meet up with those outside of my own small workplace but without whom there would be no community. The ship is a microcosm of any community and I have talked with teachers, photographers, engineers, hospitality and cleaners. Aside from that, helping out with the Starbucks as I did last night. A relatively quiet night being Friday but it gave me chance to remember how to make a frappucino! 'Happy Frappies'are popular. Simple - A frappucino served with a smile.
I have been fortunate to be put in cabin for 2 on the fourth deck. My walk to work is approximately 30 paces and half of those are down a flight of stairs. I have started running too and realised just how much I have to do if I gain a place in the London Marathon next year!!
For now, the washing is making steady progress in the machine and I'm on call for the day so the rest of the day is my own.....
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