Worked a 1415-2245 on Friday night (one case), got some sleep, went back and worked yesterday (Saturday) from 9:30-6pm. Had twins at 10am, but that was it. Not fair when the 2pm staff come on and say 'geez it's a gorgeous day out' - yeah, thanks for that considering I won't get out til it's pitch black! LOL.
Did a lot of set ups for Monday - we have a huge case on Monday (in the theatre I'm assigned to), and I'm stressed about it. Two scrub nurses are needed, almost positive one will be me for part of it (it will take about 6 hours or so), and it just makes me tired thinking about it.
Was on call last night too, and I was CONVINCED I'd get a call in, owing to how quiet the last 3 days had been. So watched Harry Potter and talked myself out of the nice glass of white I could have had. Had a very disrupted sleep due to being afraid I'd sleep through a phone call. And DIDN'T get called! So I COULD have had that wine - very disappointing!! :(
So woke up in a grump. Also thought it was Saturday due to working yesterday, so came down in a thump when realised only got the one day before going back to work.
Got to have a facial as a bonus part of my wax this morning though, which was nice. Very soothing scalp/neck and hand massage too. Might have to do that again!
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Ntuyahaga sentenced by Belgian court
Bernard Ntuyahaga was sentenced earlier today to 20 years in prison by presiding judge Karine Gerard. Although acquitted of the murder of Prime Minister Agathe Uwilingiyimana and killing civilians in the Butare district, he was found guilty of the murder of 10 Belgian peacekeepers which began the Rwandan genocide of 1994. along with an unknown number of Rwandan civillians.
The public prosecutor had asked for a life sentence to be his punishment, however a more lenient sentencing was given, in the hope it would lead to further reconciliation in Rwanda.
Ntuyahaga has expressed no remorse for his actions, instead claiming he has been used as a scapegoat and had merely passed the Prime Minister's residence that day and had offered the peacekeepers a ride in his vehicle.
It is expected Ntuyahaga will appeal on procedural grounds.
The public prosecutor had asked for a life sentence to be his punishment, however a more lenient sentencing was given, in the hope it would lead to further reconciliation in Rwanda.
Ntuyahaga has expressed no remorse for his actions, instead claiming he has been used as a scapegoat and had merely passed the Prime Minister's residence that day and had offered the peacekeepers a ride in his vehicle.
It is expected Ntuyahaga will appeal on procedural grounds.
Rwandan General found guilty of peacekeeper murders
From www.timesonline.co.uk, as reported by David Charter in Brussels
A former Rwandan army major was found guilty yesterday of murdering ten United Nations peacekeepers in a planned attack that many believe helped to trigger the genocide that claimed more than 500,000 lives in the African country.
Bernard Ntuyahaga was convicted of luring the ten Belgian soldiers away from their guard on the Prime Minister, Agathe Uwilingiyimana, who was then herself butchered by a machete-wielding gang.
Ntuyahaga was cleared of murdering the Prime Minister and will be sentenced today.
The murder of the ten soldiers has haunted Belgium because it led to the withdrawal of its peacekeepers from its former colony, leaving Hutu gangs free to carry out the genocide.
Relatives of the slain Belgians heard gruesome details in the Brussels court of how the peacekeepers were tricked into giving up their weapons and driven by Ntuyahaga to an army base. At the Kigali camp, the prosecution said there was a stage-managed revolt by Rwandan forces under Ntuyahaga’s command. The Belgians tried to find refuge in a hut, but were captured, lynched, beaten, slashed with machetes and shot.
The ten peacekeepers were due to take Mrs Uwilingiyimana to a radio station to make a broadcast appealing for calm after the plane of Juvenal Habyarimana, the Rwandan President, was shot down. Stripped of her escort, she too was killed and the mass killing of Tutsis and moderate Hutus began.
Ntuyahaga’s defence argued that he was a political scapegoat, who had only passed the Prime Minister’s residence by chance.
Christine Dupont, the widow of Christophe Dupont, one of the peacekeepers, said it was “a day we have been waiting for the last 13 years”.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Joseph Frederick
We have a new addition to our family. My brother-in-law and his wife have their gorgeous second baby!
Name: Joseph Frederick
Weight: 4200g (9lb 2Oz)
Length: 52cm
Mum and bub doing well. Planned caesar, so she'll be in hospital for a few days.
Frederick is the name of my brother-in-law's (and husband's) Grandfather. He is very proud that they remembered him.
We will be down visiting next weekend (they live interstate), and I can't wait.
ps. I'm particularly chuffed that I had it right! Sex AND size!
Name: Joseph Frederick
Weight: 4200g (9lb 2Oz)
Length: 52cm
Mum and bub doing well. Planned caesar, so she'll be in hospital for a few days.
Frederick is the name of my brother-in-law's (and husband's) Grandfather. He is very proud that they remembered him.
We will be down visiting next weekend (they live interstate), and I can't wait.
ps. I'm particularly chuffed that I had it right! Sex AND size!
Night duty part two
Done and dusted for another month.
Arrived on the scene to hear there had been 4 caeasars since 5pm, and it was my turn to scrub in for the one on the table. Also had an ectopic going on next door - so our on-call girl and our level 3 from downstairs had to stay on to complete that. Was also told we were probably going to follow immediately on with another caesar.
My caesar went all right - and then went over to relieve the scout in the ectopic. Was expecting a very long night in there, but all turned out pretty easy. Relieved that patient in theatre, and finally got to have something to eat (about 2am at this stage).
At each 2 hour check the other lady was looking less and less likely to need to come to us. So down to the recliners for a quick nap whilst we could get it.
Twenty minutes later, off goes the phone. Same lady, going to be about 30 minutes due to anaesthetist being run off his feet. Ended up bringing her straight away, just so that we were ready for when the anaesthetist could get back.
From there to actually prepping/cutting was 2 hours! Anaesthetist caught up doing a spinal; registrar having to go monitor a PPH; epidural top-up not working effectively on this lady. I think I was scrubbed for about 90 minutes before I actually did anything (having all my sterile equipment opened meant I am unable to leave the room, and things change so quickly there's too much risk in unscrubbing).
So that took me to the end of the night. Quite happy to see bed after that!!
Arrived on the scene to hear there had been 4 caeasars since 5pm, and it was my turn to scrub in for the one on the table. Also had an ectopic going on next door - so our on-call girl and our level 3 from downstairs had to stay on to complete that. Was also told we were probably going to follow immediately on with another caesar.
My caesar went all right - and then went over to relieve the scout in the ectopic. Was expecting a very long night in there, but all turned out pretty easy. Relieved that patient in theatre, and finally got to have something to eat (about 2am at this stage).
At each 2 hour check the other lady was looking less and less likely to need to come to us. So down to the recliners for a quick nap whilst we could get it.
Twenty minutes later, off goes the phone. Same lady, going to be about 30 minutes due to anaesthetist being run off his feet. Ended up bringing her straight away, just so that we were ready for when the anaesthetist could get back.
From there to actually prepping/cutting was 2 hours! Anaesthetist caught up doing a spinal; registrar having to go monitor a PPH; epidural top-up not working effectively on this lady. I think I was scrubbed for about 90 minutes before I actually did anything (having all my sterile equipment opened meant I am unable to leave the room, and things change so quickly there's too much risk in unscrubbing).
So that took me to the end of the night. Quite happy to see bed after that!!
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Night duty part one
It still doesn't quite sit right, this waking up mid-afternoon! I know I've just 'rearranged' sleeping time, but I don't think it will ever feel 'normal'.
Last night wasn't too bad. Just pottered around setting up the theatres at first, then had a caesar patient in the unit from about 1 til 3am (covering anaesthetic and recovery time as well). Always cute having the bubs around - I like it when they can stay and don't need to go down to Special Care or anything.
Managed to get a few minutes of shut eye around 4-ish, and then just had a quick post-labour repair which finished up the shift.
Still trying to get the energy up to go to the video store and return stuff. It's not working! LOL
Last night wasn't too bad. Just pottered around setting up the theatres at first, then had a caesar patient in the unit from about 1 til 3am (covering anaesthetic and recovery time as well). Always cute having the bubs around - I like it when they can stay and don't need to go down to Special Care or anything.
Managed to get a few minutes of shut eye around 4-ish, and then just had a quick post-labour repair which finished up the shift.
Still trying to get the energy up to go to the video store and return stuff. It's not working! LOL
Monday, July 2, 2007
Sunday - not always a day of rest
Ended up going to Church in the morning. Most of the 'regulars' were all ready down at Hillsong, so we had Seema preach. Felt like a flashback to the types of sermons I grew up with in my Pentecostal background - so I had to really fight to not get caught up in my own prejudices.
I'm still struggling a little with the whole concept of "Church". Sometimes I wonder if I'm cut out more for the home/organic style of Church (so small group chats with dinner and more 'personable), rather than the great big infrastructure that so often defines the traditional concept of Church. I still don't quite know where I fit. I love my Church community - but I just don't seem to connect so well amongst the 'traditional' construct (praise and worship/sermon/go home/etc etc).
Afterwards we went off to Festitalia at the showgrounds. To be honest, this was a bit of a letdown. The way they advertised the event was not quite how it was in actuality. It was advertised as having lots of opportunites to taste great Italian food and drink - but there was only one 'taste testing' stall (olives). Not that I'm complaining - but we were expecting a bit more pasta/pizza tasting, along with wines and cheeses. And the food was, as always happens, highly overpriced. Left early, and went across the road to work to eat.
Worked from 2:15-10:45 last night. Was very slow for the first 5 hours, and then had 2 caesarians to end the night. Helped us get over that 'bump' that is that final 3 hours or so, that so often drags.
Back there again for night duty. Would prefer not to have a repeat of last month's nights, so we'll see how we go.
I'm still struggling a little with the whole concept of "Church". Sometimes I wonder if I'm cut out more for the home/organic style of Church (so small group chats with dinner and more 'personable), rather than the great big infrastructure that so often defines the traditional concept of Church. I still don't quite know where I fit. I love my Church community - but I just don't seem to connect so well amongst the 'traditional' construct (praise and worship/sermon/go home/etc etc).
Afterwards we went off to Festitalia at the showgrounds. To be honest, this was a bit of a letdown. The way they advertised the event was not quite how it was in actuality. It was advertised as having lots of opportunites to taste great Italian food and drink - but there was only one 'taste testing' stall (olives). Not that I'm complaining - but we were expecting a bit more pasta/pizza tasting, along with wines and cheeses. And the food was, as always happens, highly overpriced. Left early, and went across the road to work to eat.
Worked from 2:15-10:45 last night. Was very slow for the first 5 hours, and then had 2 caesarians to end the night. Helped us get over that 'bump' that is that final 3 hours or so, that so often drags.
Back there again for night duty. Would prefer not to have a repeat of last month's nights, so we'll see how we go.
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