Greetings from a battered Ireland

28,29 January 2009





Dear all, family friends,



I decided to start the letter early as I will be working again over this weekend Thu, Fri, Sat and then Sunday directly after work is church and only then will I go and have a few hours sleep, time for letter writing out the window!

We have truly been having fantastic weather after Sunday’s little bit of snow every thing just started to shine, buds are everywhere on the tress, the birds are singing as if there is no tomorrow, the sun has got an extra bit of umpf? And sits also somewhat higher on the southern horizon, it is wonderful to see the winter going to bed and spring lurking everywhere. The wild primroses are also out and my crocuses are in full bloom!!!!



I spring cleaned the house today as I will not be able to do it on 1st Feb, officially the beginning of spring here in this side of the world! Barry decided that it was a good day and in spite of the mud started to cut up the fallen tree, he was exhausted and very cold when he came in ,just had a hot shower and looks a bit more human,,,do not get me wrong it is still cold here it is not like in the southern hemisphere when spring come you take your jersey off, o no, you still dress very warm.

We also went shopping but not in the north just round the corner to Athlone and I got floral wellies, quite snazzy, christened them this morning when I took Barry his coffee, wanted to go to the shop with them on but in the end I got back into my goat skin shoes and left!



Sunday 1Feb



Just as well I started early as I went to work on Thursday night and never got near the computer again. At work they blocked all email facilities, so that is out!



We are waiting for the first snow to fall after severe weather warnings regarding Siberian weather forcing its way towards us via England and there the snow started to fall already..being at the tail end of some of these weather horrifics we either are passed by or suffer severely! I am off tonight and will be back at work tomorrow night!



It is minus 3 outside but with the wind factor it is surely -7.Thanks to forward planning we are warm inside with plenty of fuel stacked next to the stove!



Church this morning was as always the high light of my week! We did have a slight miss hap though as we sang one song “Majesty” The music is written in syncopation..now I have to admit that I was never good with these ‘off’ rhythm pieces and I really practice it well so that nothing will go wrong .BUT what was written in the book and what the congregation was singing were 2 different time keepings and by the 2nd verse I caught on to there rhythm and the 4th verse was in unison!! I will have to rewrite the music without the syncopation.

The other went extremely well to my delight. Sitting in front of the organ this morning I remembered that Hessie has now the privilege of teaching children music! It is very dear to my heart and without it I would be a much lesser person!



I had a few scary moments during the last few nights where I really had to perform to the highest of my capabilities. The bell system went on the blink on Thursday night and there were 3 men in one room being ‘specialed’ by an Indian nurse, after having prostate surgery and at 02h35 we just heard this yell of my name down the passage, one of the patients collapsed and the nurse trying to ring for help realized the bell system did not work and used her lungs at full force as it is quite some distance away from the main office. It is just so wonderful in retro -spect to realize that some-one else in you takes over , and can only admit that it must be the Lord working through the Holy Spirit in you, instant diagnosing the problem and start to recover the person from the brink of no return..Delegating and not even thinking of saying a prayer just start working…..the prayers were said earlier in the evening before I got to work for guidance in time of trouble..and the Lord never fails!

By the time the doctor arrive I was halfway there…and when the patient was stabilised and 2 hours of the night flew in seconds…the doctor from Pakistan praised me …but it really was not me it was the Lord’s work. He said to the patient afterwards” She did not really need me because she had it all under control…she should have been the doctor!” Now that, to me was a great compliment!

Again last night, a very frail female patient who through neglect during previous surgery had complications and now sits with an Ileostomy , weighing only 28kg and she is 5ft 9 tall just a skeleton, somehow went into severe dehydration. At report they mentioned that she was acting strangely and was not taking much in fluids or diet..well by the time I got to her she was nearly gone…no response vital signs so low that the digital blood pressure gadget( hate these automated things you can not hear the heart beat as it is all digitally displayed I miss my stethoscope so much! decided there and then that I will take it to work the next night I work) was not able to pick up the heart beat or give me a proper bp reading.

Realized that she is severely dehydrated got the IV going and by the time the Dr arrived She started to open her eyes! I stand amazed at the fact that nurses cannot diagnose. .?! Well again you have to act so quickly …not much time for thinking just instant reaction and that comes only through the presence of the Holy Spirit.



Well she turned the corner and sat up this morning still confused but at least giving me a proper blood pressure reading!



So the island of Eire are sinking deeper and deeper into this quackmire of recession, Waterford Crystal experience a sit in with workers not able to accept that the factory doors were closed by the revenue commissioner on Friday morning!

The hospital is experience also the pinch and we are now closed every 2nd weekend and it was to be only from Sat 1pm but with no theatre list we are now closing at 1pm on Friday. The Drs visiting from SA used to perform per visit a good 30 operations are now down to 5 per visit. Nearly not worth their travelling here but if they do not come some-one else will grab the work there is now a shortage of GP’s so anyone looking for work if you are registered with the British Medical board here is your chance!



I have left the memories of the 30th to last …I after 5 years still get so upset that I admire Nine and Isabel for going on so bravely!



Birthdays for the coming days Nine on the 5th, Belinda on the 8th and Kathleen also on the 8th! Many happy returns of these days! Enjoy all the attention!



I greet you with a warm heart

Watch your every step, be careful on the roads

Barry& Christina(Stien…etc)