Whistling While I Work

Allow me to start by saying, "Thank you (to the power of infinity)!" for everyone that sent me a message, posted to the blog, emailed me, said an extra prayer or two, or thought about saying a prayer. Your encouragement has touch me deeply, and rest assured that God has and is answering your prayers for me, for the patients, and for the staff daily. A Christain worship song I know asks God to put a new song in our hearts. Well for me God has placed old songs in my heart. I have been humming and singing to myself lately old hymns of my childhood, many of which I haven't heard in years ("Amazing Grace," "Just a Closer Walk with Thee," & "I Walk Through the Garden Alone"). I've also been singing "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life." This is a great song from Monty Python's Life of Brian. It's hilarious.

Also, thank you to everyone for the birthday wishes. I got online today and my inbox was very weighted down with delightfully wonderful messages. I spent yesterday evening with a wonderful family I have met here. She is a pharmacist, he's a neurosurgeon, and their 2 sons are great. We went to one of the mountaintops here; it overlooks Sulaymaniyah. We were there in the evening so the city was mostly lit up (the areas that had power anyway). It was about 10 or more degrees cooler up there which was great. Afterwards we had birthday cake and coffee; a wonderful combination!

Life at the hospital is getting better. I have recently noticed some small behavior changes in the nurses. I'm am celebrating those little victories and encouraging the nurses who have really shown an interest in learning. Oh and another bonus--no one else has died. I am little more aware/diligent now. This is not to say that is the reason no one else has died.

As of this past Thursday, 2 lectures have taken place (really 1.5--but who's counting?--oh yeah, me)! I am so excited to have the opportunity to spend a concentrated amount of time (with reliable translation) talking about key principles in nursing. Word has gotten around the hospital why I am here, and I have been asked to give a lecture to the nurses and residents of the regular intensive care unit about pediatric neurotrauma. So, that will be this Thursday morning.

Neurotrauma is something they see a lot of here; most is from falls or car crashes. I don't know if I mentioned it before, but driving and riding here is just plain scary. There seems to be no rules. I have riden in a lot of countries that have disorganized and chatoic driving; you know, the kind where there is no evidence of any real rules of the road, but people manage somehow. Suly takes the cake. Hands down. Lots of people on the road, going very fast, and going where ever they want. Those of you that know about what happened in Kosova last summer can imagine my anxiety here. It's getting better though. I rarely feel like jumping out of skin anymore--vast improvement.

All things considered, I am doing quite well. I am enjoying the work and the people still. I am also enjoying the few hours of recuperative sleep I get at night. The team is coming 4 weeks from today & I am looking forward to seeing them. That will be great!

Pictures next time. My internet connection is down right now at my penthouse--only the best for the Princess of Festus. The penthouse almost always has TV, AC, internet, electricity, and water! Hope you all are having great days, and I hope you did some celebrating in my honor yesterday!