PTgypsy: SO much LOVE!

I have been SO bad at blogging since I've been here! I really need to be better because I know people enjoy reading about my experience but also because I want to document my time so I'll remember. I have had such an amazing time here in Guinea. The people are amazing! When I think back about my last two months, I just remember the love. I have felt so much love! From the patients, the day crew, the team, and awesome group of friends. Just so much love.
I have had so many incredibly strong and brave patients, that have each come with a different story and I feel so blessed to be a small part of their story and experience here at Mercy Ships.

I just found photos of one of my favorite friends, Drissa. He is such a sweet boy, and SO much fun. He brings joy and laughter wherever he goes! Drissa had a surgery to release scar tissue from his neck for better range of motion and use of his neck. He didn't need much physical therapy but I'm glad I got the short time with him I did!

Drissa before surgery.

Look at that grin! It never left his face.

Pre-op measurements done by the rehab team👏👏

Drissa with his papa

After surgery, playing with friends on deck 7.

Checking out his reflection after wound care.

Fitting Drissa for a pressure garment

Hold still!

Checking to make sure the pressure garments haven't irritated his skin.

Going home!

Such a joy to work with this guy!

SO happy!

Drissa with papa

The good news is that Drissa's surgery was a success. The bad news is that all of our patients are going home! It is SO sad! My two favorite girls went home within the last week, I am so happy for them but goodbyes are so difficult when you know they are forever. They both had surgery to release burn contractures for more functional use of their arms and are doing so well.

Makoura, Mami, and their mothers with the rehab team and their favorite nurse.

Makoura! Fato means silly or crazy in her language, so I called her Makoura Fato and I became Cece Fato.

Saran-the hardest working, strongest, bravest gal I know.

I have had many more amazing experiences, on and off the ship.

We celebrated Easter last weekend and it was such a great experience. Holidays on board are so amazing; every culture, nationality, and denomination is celebrated. We were able to attend communion, a foot washing station, a Seder meal, Tenebrae good Friday service, Sunday morning sunrise service and a full service later Sunday morning after coffee and pastries.

Seder Meal with a historically Jewish Passover meal setup

Tenebrae service

Sunrise service

Serving Pastries after sunrise service

Easter with my great friends!

I haven been so excited about the blood donation program here on Mercy Ships. We don't have access to any blood banks so the crew is the blood bank! When blood is needed the crew with the matching blood type is called to the lab to donate. I wasn't able to donate in Cameroon because I got a parasite but my blood was needed this time! I was asked to give blood late last Friday night for an emergency surgery because my blood type matched the patient O-!! Well, turns out I'm an O+ and it wasn't used for that patient. But someone else will need it!

We also ran a 5K, in matching singlets provided by the race with our race numbers individually printed on them. The petrol station Total, offered to sponsor all of us so we didn't have to pay to participate. A few of my friends ran 12k or 21k, but I barely finished the 5k, the African heat/humidity combined with low blood cells made for a poor runner!