#7 - The Day off...NOT!!!

A lovely evening last night (Friday). I invited the school teachers, Crayfish man and a couple of Chippies to the flat for one of my curries.
A Dahl, and that Barramundi I wrote about stewed in local fresh coconut, with my own blend of spices. I was , for me, a touch of normality, and an escape from a busy week on Saibai. The house full of white folks talking english and speaking about their work, interests, challenges, aspirations. It was nice.

The consumption of locally made PNG whisky and Rum, made for a difficult rising, this morning, and being on call today (Saturday) has tested my intestinal fortitude. My first call out was at 0930 ..a PNG man whom I have asked to stay on Saibai while I treat him with IV antibiotics for an abscess, has knocked on the door to the house. He asks for my help as his wife and 4 year old son have no food to eat, and are very hungry. This is not part of the job, but when I reflect on the extravagant meal I had last night, and look at this man's situation where he doesnt even have a slice of bread to feed his famly, I ache.

Ive raided the clinic fridge and the friut bowl in my flat. I am reminded that of that proverb that I can give a man a fish, to feed him for a day, or i could teach the man to fish and feed him for a life time....I am thinking....I just dont have time to teach him to fish!!!
Vegemite, butter, crackers, corn thins, 3 apples, and half a loaf of bread. It isnt much but to him and his family you would have thought that I had brought them a three course meal. I guess you just have to take Caring, one step further in these circumstances.

A few home visits and some malaria tests to run in the village, and I have my next patient. A 16 year old girl who has a temp in the 40s. She is so sick that it takes me 5 attempts to secure an IV line, and give her some fluids. I check her lungs...Crackles, and wheezes. I check her urine...Pea soup. I check her blood sugar - 2.8 (should be 4-8). I check her Haemoglobin = 6.5 (11-14 is normal)
This one is as sick as I have ever seen. although a PNG national and very dark skinned...she looks pale, like she has been diluted. She is breathless and I am thankful that Tyson another nurse is here to collaborate. We have to call the doctor in Thursday Island for this one, but with someone so sick , and from PNG the y wont retrieve her. Makes me feel a bit lonely.

It has gone 2 pm , and the normality of a dinner party last night seems like a distant memory. Ive been in the clinic for 5 hours on my day off, and i cant see myself leaving any time soon.

Before you ask...This blog is being written while I wait for an Intravenous antibiotic infusion on my girl to finish. I am sure she'd say Hi, but Im not sure that she's ever seen a computer before.

......Livin the dream.....
If you are reading this.....you are so blessed beyond your wildest imagination.