Morotai

Wednesday July 14, 2010 - Morotai
We arrived in Morotai yesterday. From the ship it looks sort of like a miniature Maui with a valley between two volcanoes. The harbor isn’t deep enough for us to dock so we are circling it during our mission here. It looks beautiful and I can see a smaller island nearby that looks like it has a large,white sand beach. Now if it just had a Mai Tai…
The energy has changed dramatically the last two days. Patients have been arriving from shore for onboard surgeries. Medical teams have been deploying ashore via helicopter and various types of boats. It has been really hard to be here doing sick call. I have to keep telling myself it is important to take care of the caregivers and that my turn will soon come. Sick bay has actually been busy and I am enjoying the clinical work. Tonight I carry the pager so may not get much sleep.
Friday I get to go on a tour. We are going to see what are supposed to be pristine coral reefs and do some snorkeling. Really looking forward to that although not sure I have worked enough yet to get liberty. However, Sunday we will be in Ternate and I will be out in the field for 7 days so there is a balance. Actually really looking forward to it even if I won’t shower for a week.
Thursday July 15, 2010
Heard about what to expect ashore from those who went ashore yesterday. Lots of TB, malaria, derm issues, worms, and then general aches and pains. Also, the volcano is spewing smoke but hear that is a regular occurrence. People are really friendly.
Vanessa and I were busy yesterday afternoon in sick call. She is doing great and basically on her own. Just has to quickly run her patients by someone and have a cosign. Only had 1 page last night but still tired. Ready for snorkeling tomorrow. Just got my haircut in the Navy barbershop. Never thought I would say that! Thinking about my father who was in the Navy in the South Pacific. Wished I had asked him more about it while he was alive. He developed polio during his tour and think that is why he didn’t talk much about it. Sorry, this is sort of a free association blog today.
Will try to write Saturday to tell about the snorkeling trip. If can’t get online then won’t be anything until the 26th at the earliest.