Tuesday June17

So how many of you spotted the deliberate mistake? There is a spelling error on yesterdays' blog. The Dutch have not let us down. Not only is there red white and blue bunting there is also 2 long lengths of orange ribbon draped over the lounge barrier. As I write Holland are 1-0 up.
I went to the "Chaplins Tea" today, designed really for new staff but I missed last week as I was working!
My computer skills were called in to action today to help enter data into the hospital records. Just one of those jobs that has to be done, is tedious but at least completed as far as possible - until tomorrow.
I really am getting to grips with the straightforward eye surgery and certainly feel more comfortable with the whole thing. The surgeon has a great sense of humour, just as well with me around. Today we operated on a 4 year old with cataracts, I have asked the nusring staff to let me know how she gets on tomorrow when the bandages are removed.
The ship is moored up to a dock and then we use the dockside to see patients. Some are screened here to see if they are suitable for surgery, yesterday it was the new orthopaedic surgeons who saw patients there. There are x-ray facilities and a CT scanner onboard so we can screen immediately if necssary. Patients are also screened for pre-admission from there.
Eye patients are seen in and around Monrovia by a team that go out daily from the ship and if they can be helped they are given a date to attend for surgery. very often patients also try to get help with other problems but the ship is strict about who it can help. As much as anything it is decided by the surgeons available to operate. This week we have orthopaedic, Maxillary-facial and eye surgeons onboard. But we also need to have anaesthetists available who have the skills to put patients to sleep. So it is quite tough when we have to say no but it does happen from time to time.
There is also a dental team that runs a clinic in a local hospital. With them are dental nurses and technicians and they do a great work. These teams are supported by day workers from the local communities who help by translating and by doing some of the work when they have been taught. Occasionally a dental patient is refered to the hospital for treatment that they can't give.
Whilst we can't help everyone we can help some. We have to remember that Jesus couldn't help everyone with healing while he was here on earth simply because he had only 3 years of ministry, although through faith we believe he can help all now who believe in him.
Tomorrow brings more eyes!