Robs side of the story...blog 2

Robs words – log 2

The coolest thing about logging our adventures as a family is that we can sit under a palm tree and in the cool afternoon breeze, on separate laptops, diarise our own perspectives.  As I type this, Jo and I have just returned from a great dusk family activity of fishing and snorkeling.  I worked (well attended work) today.  After an hour or so of the morning rush, the rest of the day was quiet.  The kind of quiet that one might experience in an empty sound proof room with NASCAR rated ear plugs and bilateral perforated ear drums. 

During that hour of chaos scores of irritable pikininis were dragged in by their mothers/or aunties with “Belly Run”.  Yep, the gastro has hit Yorke Island.  In the space of 1 hour I had 8 toddlers and babies present with the “Bug”.  It is like a production line…vital signs, reassurance, an electrolyte iceblock (that tastes like an orange icypole made with sea water), and education about maintaining oral fluids, and it is on to the next kid/mum combination. 

Belly run is relatively easy to manage.  Gastroenteritis is usually viral, and treated by maintaining fluid hydration.  I calculate an oral fluid rehydration schedule, which is tailored to the child’s weight.  We will review them tomorrow. It is ripping through the island at the moment, so I imagine a bit of Oral Salt Replacement solution making an exodus from my pharmacy over the next 72 hours. 

After the “Hour of Power”, the day settled down into one of those days that allows you to do all the housekeeping and paperwork.  On the outer islands, the clinic has a Quality control system that allows for regular checking and maintenance to be carried out on equipment.  Baby Scales, Generator, clinic vehicle, immunization fridge, chart audits, medication audits, and other clinical gear that adorns the health centre, and adds to the clutter.  So when things were calm and quiet, I was able to get a month’s worth of checks done.   Yesterday,  in a quiet moment I also had a great opportunity to show Ben what his Daddy does.  But before I tell that tale, let me take you back a few weeks in the story.

I received a call from one of Ben’s high school teachers a couple of weeks ago, “Hello Mr Timmings, It is …….    ……..  here, one of Ben’s teachers.  Currently the nurse is doing Booster immunizations for the grade 10 (15 year olds) students.  Ben tells us that he is exempt, and that when you are in the Torres in a few weeks, you will catch him up with his shots.”   Now…fast forward to Yesterday.

Said shot, was prepared in stealth, and I ambushed Ben under the guise of a social visit to the clinic.  I gave him his Boostrix (Tetanus, Whooping cough, and Diphtheria).  He was very brave, but has whinged about a sore arm now for 24 hours.  But what a great Father/son moment hey?  Today in the quiet time I got him to come to the clinic with a shell cut on his thumb.  I showed him a new use for a bowl of Iodine and a toothbrush as I scrubbed his thumb wound clean.  Gee I am a nice Dad.

Tonight was an amazing sunset fishing on the jetty/boat ramp.  We all caught some fish, although honours has to go to Amy for first fish, and Joanne for biggest fish.  She landed a Javelin Fish, a long pike like pelagic with nasty teeth.  As Jo and I kept fishing, the kids snorkeled around a rocky coral encrusted bommie, where sea urchins, clams and coloured fish were abundant.  The sea is so warm, and water is so clear that you can see clearly to the reef where you cast the line.  Big circling shadows around the children are a little disconcerting, but I am sure that if one of the kids had an encounter, it would make for an interesting blog.  I am loving sharing this beautiful place with my people.  Pinch me, it is still all a dream…  It cant be real, because so far Jo and Amy are better at fishing than Ben and I, and so something is not right in the universe.

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Until tomorrow, Yawo!!