Monday 18 June - In the Philippines

We arrived at the island of Samar, the Philippines, at 8:00 this morning. There was a surgical group leaving at 9:00 to go on shore and start evaluations. Our department was going out at 10:00 to set up the portable units and start screening chest x-rays. I had a chance to go up and watch the helicopters picking up the pallets for delivery to the pier. The people going to shore were climbing down a ladder off the side of the ship. It was pretty choppy on the water so they were very wet.

I found out what all the colors of the shirts of the fight crew mean. The purple are the fuel. The yellow are the flight directors ( the signal guys to the pilots). The green are the tie down or detach the chains that secure the helicopters while they are loading and unloading people.The red are the trash and supply. There is a few guys in white who are the lead for the whole staff. They were telling us that have not had a day off since we left Guam. I am amazed how they have one guy holding up the loop and rod and another guy just bracing and holding on to him so he doesn't blow away. They have it down pretty good the turn around from one coming in and out is about 30 seconds. Pretty amazing what they can do with such a big machine. There is one person inside the back part of the helicopter that leans out the door to confirm the hatch is secure. It then lifts up slowly to make sure the rope doesn't tangle and then pulls up slowly and forward off the side of the ship. There is one of the yellow guys directing them, telling them the connects are good, then signals to lift up and when it is off the deck it is OK to fly off. Love just watching it. There was a Japanese navy ship off to the right side of the ship. It dropped down the back part of the ship and out came a hover craft. It was HUGE and kicked up a lot of spray.  Don't get to see too many of those at home.

When I came down from that I called home since it is Father's day and talked to everyone. Really fun to hear everyone at the same time. They had the patches out for people to vote on. I saw Colette's but not sure Danielle's made it. Feel bad about it. They will count the votes today and then let us know on the 20th who was voted. Would like to get a patch. We sent money today with the guy going off for him to have t-shirts made for the radiology group. He is supposed to be bringing them back with him on the 2nd so I should have it to take home.

We did a patient they helicoptered from the shore. He has loss of circulation in just below the knee so they are looking at a possible amputation. Gave us something to do for about an hour. We had 17 new people from LDSC join us today. I think most of them are Drs and nurses who will only be on ship till Manila. Talked with a cute dental hygienist from Austraila. We were exchanging Austrailian candies we like. I got her name and address and told her I would sent her some of our treats she likes and some ones she can try. She loves Swedish fish and dots so maybe see what Darin W. has ideas for. They really think peanut butter is strange.

Not too much else. We will have devotional tonight with the whole new group so there will be about 60 people if they all come. Things are going well. I am supposed to go of the ship for a ceremony tomorrow, then do the pier 21, 22, 24, 26, 27 and 28. So 7 days total out off the ship for the 12 main days working and then two slower days the last two days in port on the 30 and 1. Thought being out in the heat vs the AC in x-ray may be the trade off. Maybe I can party the 1st July for Canada Day. Thanks you guys for all the love and letters you send. It is great to talk to you as much as I can. They tell me maybe FaceTime will be a possibility on the pier as the wifi is faster off the ship.
Love you. Mom/Caroline

P.S. we got a few patients after dinner as they brought some patients on board to do surgeries first thing in the morning.