Bring on the work day! Had to be up at 0400 with breakfast done, bags packed and downstairs on the bus! We were told we had a 2 hour bus ride and a 30 minute boat ride! We are heading to some island that hasn't seen medical attention. Not sure what is in store for us, but I'm sure its going to be interesting.
We got on the bus and Allison was out! I needed to sleep, I think I may have for a bit, but not much. Needless to say the shocks on the bus are not as good as any other vehicle I have been in!
So finally after, close to 3, hours, we got to the dock where we were boarding a Navy/Coast Guard ship, boat...whatever you call it.
As we are boarding they then tell us that its a 2 hour boat ride to the island! What? How did we go from a 30 minute boat ride to a 2 hour boat ride! Believe me...thats the not the end of it! We did have lots of armed guards and policia that escorted us, although, the security forces are everywhere you go. It brought huge publicity to the Navy and Coast Guard. There was someone taking pictures of us the entire day as well as filming clips where-ever we were.
We settled in for our ride of 2 hours. They passed out lunch on the boat and something to drink althougn we had brought our own. It was a fairly calm ride.
Allison and I took advantage and went to sleep for awhile. It was still way too early and we weren't even there yet.
Finally, after close to 3 hours we get to the island. We have to take small boats off the Navy ship and into the dock where we will get off and unload suitcases. Brad and Chris took the suitcases over in one boat. Each of the medical bags weighs close to 80 pounds!
It was our time to go...lifejackets ON and waiting for the word to proceed!
Riding in our boat, there were several areas that had boats that were on land, you could tell that at some point, there was water underneath of them but they were all dry-docked, literally, on soil or the ground.
I did see motorbikes but no cars and it looked like everyone was transported by boat. As we got off the boat there was a guy selling oysters. He actually was sweeping the dirt ground around his stand and then proceeded to put the broom on top of this basket! Yep, Ill take 2 dozen, please!
After everyone was transported from the Navy ship to the island, we headed about 1km up the hill to the place we would be working out of today.
We set up in a school building. Pharmacy had its own room with windows that were barred. No actual glass but at least I thought there would be a breeze.
Little did I know what I was in for. We had started filling scripts and I got this weird feeling. I sat down and starting drinking water. I got back up and starting filling scripts again and within 30 seconds, I knew what was coming. I knew I was going to pass out. I didn't want to say anything or scare the crap out of Allison so I just sat down, drank some more water and after another 15-20 seconds and it not getting any better, I yelled 'Chris...Im going to pass out...NOW'. Chris dropped everything, ran over gave me a water bottle to drink out of, told me to drink that one and the next one in his bag. Allison Pauli got a paper towel, poured water on it and put it on the back of my neck. Diane and Chris started fanning me with script pads. Finally after a few minutes it was ok....but I knew what was coming. I had been up since 0400, it was now after 1100, I didn't drink much, had been out on the ship in the sun all day.....and it caught up to me. Chris later told me he knew I was serious, as soon as I said something and he looked at me, he said I lost all color on my face and was moving slowly. He knew I wasn't joking! Yeah for the pharmacy peeps!
So after my little scare action, its back to work! We did find the albedazole tablets. Its for parasites in your poop! Almost every patient we see gets them. Good to know we have enough to last!
Allison was rocking the pharmacy. She picked up quickly and was really being a positive part of the team!
All the patients were very sweet and very appreciative. No issues and we were able to see close to 300 patients!
At the end of our day, it was close to 1800. We were hot, tired, hungry...should I go on? We knew that we now had a 6 hour ride back!
The boys met Bob. Well, Brad knew Bob but Will and Jon met him. Jon wasn't too sure about Bob, but Im sure that as the week goes on, he will warm right up to him.
So we ended up getting back to the hotel at 2300. We had to be up at 0500. Not sure if this is what the week is about, but we are starting off long and hard.
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