Friday June 20

Today was definitely another day. I started in the eye OR where we had just one case under general anaesthetic. orthopaedic surgeons needed to change the cast of a young man who previously had had a tumour removed from his lower leg and also some reconstructive work done. he wanted to be put to sleep for this has it was potentially quite painful. While he was sat on the operating table ready for his spinal (an injection into his lower back which would make him numb in his legs for sometime) he asked us to pray with him. Imagine that happening in the average NHS or private hospital for that matter.
I spent sometime trying to locate another member of staff to undertake some training but she disappeared and I could not find her. There are only so many places a person can hide on a ship but I didn't win this game of hide and seek.

In the afternoon I was involved in quite a sad case as we had to remove part of a leg from an 18 year old girl. She had previously fractured her lower leg and now there was infection that could not be treated. the only viable treatment for her was amputation above the knee. Quite understandable that she was very upset but it had been carefully explained to her and her parents the alternative consequence. So we have good days and bad but we know that God is supreme in all things.

Late this afternoon a couple of others and I watched, fascinated, as the "Vera" was pulled out of the opposite dock and set sail for who knows where. We've seen the tanks be filled with something, we're not sure what, over the last couple of days and then as we eating dinner tonight we realised there was a tugboat making its way round to the stern of the ship (the back bit). As the ship was facing the wrong way to simply sail out the tug had to attach ropes to the stern of Vera and pull her round to face the right way. The whole process took the best part of an hour. At the same time the sun was setting. there is also photographic evidence of this event, What was restful was having the time to stand and watch and not to have to rush to the next thing.

Mind you I did go to a 1 hour aerobics class afterwards the food is too good onboard to NOT do any exercise. I need the few clothes I have brought to still fit when I travel home. Tommorow will be a busy day as I've organised a shopping trip in the morning and have been invited to join others on a short trip to the beach in the afternoon. Then of course it's the Holland match tomorrow night, so it's a busy day off!! I'm on call Sunday so can't leave the ship but I have planned my time assuming that I don't get called in so all in all, not a quiet time but still fun.