Some more stories

Well, the last few days have been busy and held many a moment worth recounting. Today I arrived to the ward for my night shift, somewhat in a tiz waz on account of just having had a pizza delivered to the ship (??!!) only half an hour before my shift began. No sooner had i arrived than several hands from teh nearby beds waved asking 'how ah you'. My patients who I have looked after for the last few nights now more relaxed, and also a lot brighter a few more days down the line from their surgery. After a quick 'round' of each one to say hello, and a few cheeky tummy tickles of two of my precious little girls, I park myself in a chair ready to have pray and have hand over.
A little body by the name of Matthew scrambles on my lap and demands to go for a 'ride' on teh wheely chair! Off we go just quickly a few spins round the room...followed by lots of giggles and plenty plenty kisses from Matthew! Matthew has had release of contractures to his hand, with a skin graft, and despite his bandages is an absolute delight. He has, as he well knows, been renamed 'monkey moo' by me. Nothing else would surfice!
Following handover and a quick whip round with meds and checking charts, I then managed some time to colour with 2 of my youngest patients. Both little girls had suffered severe burns and have had surgery to release the contractures developed. We then had a crazy half hour leaping around with bubbles. A little later after some more 'nursing duties', I managed to play several games of jenga with one of the children's caregivers. Building relationships with the patients and families in this way is so important, and so rewarding too, for both parties!

We have had some very interesting talks at our orientation in the last week. In particular I loved hearing about the differences in culture and 'cold climate' and 'hot climate' countries. We were taught the importance of using mama/papa, or sister/brother for any Liberian older than ourselves. This is 'expected' of fellow Liberians, but commands a huge amount of respect here. I will have to make a real effort to change my vocabulary... We also discussed how many African nations would never begin a conversation 'getting straight down to business' that would be considered rude. Time is taken for people to make pleasantries and an effort to find out what is happening with the other person. It was interesting to talk to a local Liverian who is living on board and workingin the housekeeping department. Apart from the air conditioning to get used to, he said he had to get used to everyoone being so 'busy' all the time. Everyone seems to be cold climate friendly, i.e. everyone smiles and says hi as they go past but don't stop for a chat! He had taken this quite hard at first, but was soon assured this was just one of the cultural differences of many people on board. Quite an important lesson! so if I am to build relationships here, my awareness of these things needs to get up to speed pretty quickly!