Tuesday, May 25, 2010
"Fanhasso, Fanhita, Fanacho"
“Fanhasso, Fanhita, Fanacho”
“Remember, Come together & Stand tall”
This is the mantra for the day & perhaps an apt summary for efforts put forth throughout this trip.
Accreditation is a tedious, stressful process normally encompassing 45 days. We have completed it in 8.
We wrapped up remaining details as Dr Besachio finished interpreting the exams for submission. Naomi & I checked & re-checked them for mandated demographic & technical elements. They will go in my carry-on bag along with the stack of critical paperwork. This cargo is too precious to leave transit up to the airlines!
Dr B. bought lunch from the Jamaican grill as tangible thanks for our hard work. I had fresh-grilled yellowtail. Hard to beat the Island’s best fresh catch.
It is both a relief & odd consolation to be done. Although I am truly looking forward to my own bed & being back with loved ones, both human & 4-footed, I will miss the camaraderie & friendship extended me by the staff. After a fond farewell parting with Naomi & Marina (goodbyes to Isabel were shared over the noon hour), I headed back to the Hyatt, stopping at Alapung beach with it’s beautiful statue representing 3 Generations of Chamorro women. After a loop through the Governor Flores’ Beach Park, I hit the beach for one more ocean swim. Today’s items were added to the nearly full suitcase for my morning departure.
I leave the island with an appreciation for Guam’s contrasts & beauty. I am touched by the hard work of many to better life for themselves, their families & their patients.
“Remember, Come together & Stand tall”
This is the mantra for the day & perhaps an apt summary for efforts put forth throughout this trip.
Accreditation is a tedious, stressful process normally encompassing 45 days. We have completed it in 8.
We wrapped up remaining details as Dr Besachio finished interpreting the exams for submission. Naomi & I checked & re-checked them for mandated demographic & technical elements. They will go in my carry-on bag along with the stack of critical paperwork. This cargo is too precious to leave transit up to the airlines!
Dr B. bought lunch from the Jamaican grill as tangible thanks for our hard work. I had fresh-grilled yellowtail. Hard to beat the Island’s best fresh catch.
It is both a relief & odd consolation to be done. Although I am truly looking forward to my own bed & being back with loved ones, both human & 4-footed, I will miss the camaraderie & friendship extended me by the staff. After a fond farewell parting with Naomi & Marina (goodbyes to Isabel were shared over the noon hour), I headed back to the Hyatt, stopping at Alapung beach with it’s beautiful statue representing 3 Generations of Chamorro women. After a loop through the Governor Flores’ Beach Park, I hit the beach for one more ocean swim. Today’s items were added to the nearly full suitcase for my morning departure.
I leave the island with an appreciation for Guam’s contrasts & beauty. I am touched by the hard work of many to better life for themselves, their families & their patients.
Monday, May 24, 2010
No Turning Back now
No turning back now!
It’s the start of a new week. Monday. One more clinical day with the staff here at NMC Guam. After completing the day’s few clinical exams, Naomi & I forged ahead, completing paperwork & copying charts. We exposed the dreaded phantom image with the TLD or thermoluminescent dosimeter. This little device measures patient dosage associated with the mammography exam, and once exposed, there’s no turning back. The device gets sent to a control facility and the resultant image goes to the ACR along with all the rest of the required info. Mammography is neither for the faint of heart nor the unorganized! We were so engrossed in the work that the day flew by. 4:00 arrived & Naomi & I parted ways. She headed to her evening shift at another Mammo facility in town & I set out for a few more photographic memories.
I have driven past & around Chief Quipuha in a roundabout morning & evening these last 7 days en route to the hospital & would be remiss if he was not part of the photo journey. Haha. He is a great landmark from which to get one’s bearings when unfamiliar on the Island.
I drove to the beautiful Pigo cemetery with its statues of Christ & the apostles. A lovely, serene final resting place for loved ones with a beautiful view of the bay.
I returned to the Basilica as well for a few additional moments of contemplation, thankfulness, appreciation & gratitude in that beautiful sanctuary for all that has been fulfilled personally & professionally since my departure from San Diego. Very much looking forward to my return there to the comfort of familiar surroundings & loved ones.
It’s the start of a new week. Monday. One more clinical day with the staff here at NMC Guam. After completing the day’s few clinical exams, Naomi & I forged ahead, completing paperwork & copying charts. We exposed the dreaded phantom image with the TLD or thermoluminescent dosimeter. This little device measures patient dosage associated with the mammography exam, and once exposed, there’s no turning back. The device gets sent to a control facility and the resultant image goes to the ACR along with all the rest of the required info. Mammography is neither for the faint of heart nor the unorganized! We were so engrossed in the work that the day flew by. 4:00 arrived & Naomi & I parted ways. She headed to her evening shift at another Mammo facility in town & I set out for a few more photographic memories.
I have driven past & around Chief Quipuha in a roundabout morning & evening these last 7 days en route to the hospital & would be remiss if he was not part of the photo journey. Haha. He is a great landmark from which to get one’s bearings when unfamiliar on the Island.
I drove to the beautiful Pigo cemetery with its statues of Christ & the apostles. A lovely, serene final resting place for loved ones with a beautiful view of the bay.
I returned to the Basilica as well for a few additional moments of contemplation, thankfulness, appreciation & gratitude in that beautiful sanctuary for all that has been fulfilled personally & professionally since my departure from San Diego. Very much looking forward to my return there to the comfort of familiar surroundings & loved ones.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
