Joy's snippets: Big questions for a public holiday

Yesterday was a public holiday, Darwin Show Day. I was called in to the clinic by Jeremy, one of the registrars I'm supervising while I'm here. He and his wife Tanya are coming to the end of their first 6 months of GP training. They're leaving in 2 weeks, when I finish.

Jeremy, Tanya, the Aboriginal Health Practitioner on call, and several nurses were looking after an unconscious lady - she was found like this when the family woke. We presume she had had a big stroke. Certainly not very well, and had deteriorated while at the clinic. There wasn't really much for me to add. But I suggested calling the family in, to talk about the serious nature of things. Plans were proceeding for her to be taken to Darwin by Careflight. So about 4 women came in. They gathered round the bed and prayed for her - mostly in Yolgnu matha, but a few English words here and there. It seemed like an appropriate response. I doubt she will return alive.

I found it quite profound, witnessing this trust in God at a time of great difficulty. Life is hard for Aboriginal people here: much chronic disease, frequent funerals. And I feel for the Aboriginal Health Practitioners who bear a significant burden in talking to people about hard issues. It's also draining for the nurses when situations like this are frequent, especially after hours.

I couldn't help wondering if it was a good thing to transfer her to Darwin. Wouldn't it be better for her to die with dignity here, at home with family caring for her? I did raise this at the time; but she needed a CT and a diagnosis. This kind of scenario happens in any medical context, and I suppose the team and the family have to make the best decision with the information they have - and avoid thinking/ saying, "We should have..." or, "we shouldn't have..."

The old cemetery

Later in the day we went on a picnic, driving with others to a remote beach. Two went swimming! I would love to, but feel too afraid of crocs. They felt confident because of a sandbar a bit of a way out. It was a beautiful beach, lovely sunset, and great to spend some time with Kylie (the other doctor), her husband, his parents, and a nurse from the homeland health service (run by a different organisation from the clinic). It was a beautiful drive, on a narrow track through lovely bush. Not sure I'd find it again!

Sunset - not yesterday's though

I took Tim to the airport today. Felt quite sad to see him leave. He's off to Darwin, then Katherine tomorrow for 2 weeks' obstetrics locum. It was so good to have him here, and he looked after me so well! Housework, shopping, meals. And great company! I'm glad that he knows a bit about life here.