Anyway, we booked this hour long massage that Vicky and Judy had gone to the last time they were here. We left the hospital at 6pm (our appt was for 5:30, but it was another long day). It was pouring rain, so I just left with my scrubs on. No sense in getting my clothes all wet, right?
We arrived and they took us to the room and all I can say is "aaahhhhh". It is just what we needed. These tiny beautiful Vietnamese women really know how to work the tension out. They even get on the table and stradle so they can apply, steady even pressure. We could hear all the horns honking from outside, which in this case, the horns were my white noise. The drivers are constantly honking there horns and the noise is usually stress inducing, but today...I didn't really mind.. My feet were in dire need of some TLC. My wonderful husband Bruce pampers me at home with a foot massage most nights, as we are sitting on the couch watching TV (have I said how much I miss him yet?), so this massage reminded me of his pampering. Now here is the kicker. How much do you pay for massages? $50, $60, $75, $100? I must say, I get a massage from Sonia in Arlington, WA fairly regularly, especially because she has a bargain rate of $40. Today, I paid $14.00! I couldn't believe it. The US dollar goes a long way here. Another reason why I can't wait to continue my shopping. Lots to buy, and running out of time.
Needless to say, Vicky and I, even though we were wet and hot after walking in the rain after work, we didn't care what we looked like when we headed back to the hotel. Again....aaaaahhhhhh.....
I got back to my room about 7:30, took a shower and even watched American Idol, on the few channels I get in English. I have checked my email, wrote to my husband, and am now doing this entry.
As far as the workday today, it was another long day. There were 2 facial surgeries scheduled and the first one took almost 9 hours! It was a lot more difficult of a case then was imagined. The patient did well, and then they still had the 2nd patient to complete. My job is working with the Vietnamese nurses and helping them in any way we can, with our patients. Until our patients enter the Recovery Room, there isn't too much for me to do. I do stay in the OR and help in anyway I can, and then I will do frequent checks on our patients that we did earlier in the week. The patients are admitted to the hospital for 1 week post surgery.
If the patients are lucky, there are 3 beds to a room, male mixed with female. I counted a room today with 12 beds in it. The parents do the care for their family member. Food is not provided in the hospital, the family brings their food. There are fridges in the room and a TV and a bathroom and shower. Housekeeping drops off clean sheets for their beds and clean PJ's and the patient or the family does the bed changing. The team for Oregon provides the items needed for their post op care and we give post-op instructions on the importance of using Ice to decrease facial swelling, feeding and nutrition, as most patients have their jaws wired, and oral care.
Anyway, I will round on the patients and see how they are doing and if there are any questions. Some of them speak English, and for those that don't, we usually use the English speaking family member to help translate. We see many babies at the hospital coming in for their cleft lip repairs. We have not done those surgeries, but the team has brought toys from home, so if we see a child, we will go get a book or stuffed animal and give to the children. I tell you, it is heart warming.
Anyway, again I digress. I hope I am not rambling too much. With these long days, today was my challenge day. I just felt tired all day and the week has been catching up with me. I am just so happy to have had my wonderful massage, and an early night.
Below, are some pictures from today. Some of our patients after their surgery, one of which is my favorite little girl from the week. Some pictures of children, and a picture of a woman in her traditional dress. She is from the mountainous community of Sapa, the H'mong people. Her teeth were black from beetlenut that is a sign of beauty. Older women are given the beetlenut to suck on and it turns their teeth black. I guess it is addictive and causes a "high", I am told.
The rest of our week is as follows: tomorrow, our last day with begin with only one surgery. Then, a "celebration" for us at 2pm where I am told the staff will sing to us (I'll bring my kleenex). Dinner in the evening too.
Saturday=Shopping!!! Hopefully to finish my souvenir hunt for everyon in the family.
Sunday, we leave for Ha Long Bay, one of the wonders of the world. Google it if you can. I understand it is absolutely beautiful. Anyway, we are picked up for a 3.5 hour ride across the countryside, rice paddy fields, a couple of shopping stops and lunch. We will spend the night on a Chinese Junk, dinner and breakfast provided, and tour the bay with all the tiny outcroppings of islands, and many caves. Kayaking and relaxing. We then leave to come back to Hanoi Monday afternoon. Finish last minute gift hunt, and Tuesday, check out of our hotel, but our flight doesn't leave until 10:50 that night for Seoul. We arrive in Seoul 5:20 am, with a 12 hour layover. Seoul airport has a transit hotel, so I think we will book a room to sleep and shower. They also have transit tours of the city of Seoul, so that is also a possibility. Our plane leaves Seoul at 6:40pm to arrive in Seattle Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. Whew!
I am officially tired of typing now. Hey, I think another massage is in order...
Good night and thanks for reading...
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