Ambon, sea sickness, Darwin, profile

After Jailolo, Ambon was somewhat of a letdown. We worked sick call a number of days which is not nearly as exciting is going into the field. However, I did see my first eel bite (not joking). The major concern with an eel bite isn't so much the bite, but the things that might be in the water that could enter via the bite. I called in the Infectious Disease expert and she said there were potentially a number of serious things that could occur but they were unlikely so she just had the patient double their doxy (taken for malaria prophylaxis) and wait and see. Luckily it cleared up quickly. Many other providers (before I consulted with ID) suggested multiple antibiotics to cover all bases but her conservative approach made sense. I did go ashore one day to a site near Ambon. It was a hospital in a small beach town. The people there seem to have more access to basic care although still saw a few active TB cases and some cases needing surgery that wasn't available. Also out of control BPs and diabetes. I still took the treat and reinforce adherence approach. Perhaps the more interesting aspect of this stop was being able to go ashore for leave. The city itself was so chaotic. I've never encountered traffic quite like it with cars and scooters all over the road with many near hits and a few hits. Stop lights and pedestrian crosswalks are suggestions rather than absolutes. The streets are dirty and sewage is open. Before we left Ambon was told the seas would be rough. However, I got a little too overconfident after not getting sick to that point. Well, spent the next 36 hours being seasick. Was very happy when we arrived in Darwin. Was very happy to arrive in Darwin. A truly charming little city and a nice way to end to mission. I was profiled on the Project Hope website so link is included and picture in helo. http://projecthopeinthefield.blogspot.com/2010/08/fiu-professor-hope-volunteer-and.html Hope you enjoyed the blog. Perhaps at some point I will put some pictures up.