melstober

Well... it's finally here... the Africa Mercy has arrived... after waiting and waiting and dates being pushed back and back further. But she has finally come and it was an amazing day of celebrating and fun! We had everyone out there with flags, and waiting on every corner of the Anastasis watching as the Africa Mercy slowly came through port and docked beside us! it was a really neat experience and I am so glad that I was able to experience that. It was like being a part of history watching it come in and people come down the gangway for the first time. I have walked around the ship and explored it a bit. It is HUGE and it is really nice inside... it really does look like a hospital ship! It is fairly ... read more

Well, we have been in "transition" for a week now and I have found myself really missing the patients and working with the translators. It is an odd feeling so far to be here but not working as a nurse. I have volunteered myself and my services to te Operations Director, Graeme Walls, who is in charge of the whole transition. I am his personal assistant! And you guessed it, he's a bit stressed out and all over the place, going to meetings, talking to everyone, constantly answering emails... cause it's not like we have done this before... moved onto another ship. But I have yet again, volunteered for something I had NO idea what I was getting myself into. So now I work at a desk all day, in front of a computer, compling ... read more

Today is almost a sad day for me as it is the last day I will be doing admissions. No, I didn't get fired!! ha ha... but we are shutting down the operating room to get ready for the transition period for when the Africa Mercy comes. I have not really mentioned much of this transition, so let me give you a bit of background. The Africa Mercy is another ship that has been getting rennovated and comissioned for the last 8 years to take over the Anastasis, as she is very old and well used... SO, finally after many awaited years and many glitches along the way, the Africa Mercy has been just finishing a few last minute certifications and safety items to get ready to sail from Blythe, England, where she is docked, ... read more

So here I am again, finding myself sitting in a comfortable seat in the lounge with air conditioning on my day off, to catch up on some emails, and read and write in my journal that I am keeping and I can't help but think of how lucky I really am. I went for a walk this morning and there wasn't even a breeze and the morning sun was already SO hot. Not a cloud in the sky today. It is beautiful, but hot, and I am thankful for the ship today, being able to get away from the hot sun. People here in Liberia do not have such luxuries. It's been a great learning experience as many nations have come together on this one boat to do the same work. From everyone in North ... read more

I have now been on the Anastasis Mercy Ship for one week and it has been a week of new and exciting learning and adjustments. It's wierd to think that I am in West Africa, because I live on a boat that has airconditioning. And sometimes because the ship is so big, I forget that I am on a ship. I feel sometimes like I am back in college living in dorms, eating in a cafeteria, having certain meetings at 0730h when I like to sleep in, and living with people again!! I have 2 roommates in a cabin that could have room for 6... 3 bunks with 6 closets and that's it! the bathroom is next door with 2 showers and a sink and 2 broken toilets... but they were "liquid only" toilet... guess ... read more