Guess who's back in the metropolis that is Nottingham!?
So, one thing I definitely predicted correctly is that my last blog would be written from my couch nest back in my flat in New Basford and here I am😁
I had actually meant to do this blog last week but the jet-lag hit hard when I got home and when I wasn't snoozing randomly around the place I was struggling to string a sentence together!
I made the journey back a week ago - to Gatwick and then crashed out completely on the train home, thank God Nottingham was the last stop! I spent a couple of days getting back to normal and hanging out with Gareth, a few friends & my sister Sara, which was lovely.
I started back to work on Monday - I will have a secondment period to write up a report for my trip but I thought it'd be better to get back to work first and into the swing of things. Felt like I'd never left after the first 5 minutes to be honest😂
One thing that I've found is that people are asking me (naturally enough) how my trip was, what I've taken away from it and how I feel about it all and I'm not really able to answer the question! At the moment it all feels more like it was a dream than anything! I think that's one of the reasons I wanted to get back to work first before starting to reflect and write up anything, give it all a bit of time to settle as at the moment it all feels a bit surreal.
I'm looking forward to meeting all the people who helped me during the application process for the scholarship and in the run up to my trip and also the committee of the League of Friends charity who funded the scholarship. I went to one of their events before I left to share my ideas and plans so it will be great to meet them again to chat about how it all went.
At this point all that's left to do is thank everyone! I know this is the boring bit that no one wants to read but I could never have achieved any of this without so much help.
Jennie Walker & Sam Torgersen who helped me with my application and were brutally honest with me (it was what I needed!).
Joanne Cooper, Louise Bramley & Alix Brookes who had faith in me and my project and awarded me the scholarship.
Bertie Pinchera & the committee of the League of Friends without whom none of this would be possible as the charity funded the scholarship.
My boss, Emlyn, who looked like he wanted to kill me when I told him I'd be gone for over 4 months but never actually said it😁
Hayley Morales & Laura Siddall from Healthperm who set me up with amazing contacts for my visits in Dubai and the Philippines, 2 amazing women!!
Regis Manyana and Florence Mwando who sent me off to Africa as prepared as it is possible to be!
Every family who took me in, fed me, looked after me. Every nurse or doctor who let me tag along, explained things to me, welcomed me.
Prof O'Donoghue, who hooked me up with some amazing people across the States which really ended it all on such a high.
I have been completely overwhelmed by the kindness of strangers on this trip. No one could do enough for me. Fr. Trust in Zimbabwe who drove me 2 hours to the border with Botswana when I was going on safari because he said he wouldn't sleep unless he knew I had gotten there safely.
The Sisters in the convent in Hwange who welcomed me as one of their family for the 2 weeks I stayed.
Rodeo & Janice in Manila and Cebu who stayed with me from morning til night to make sure I had the best trip possible. Not to mention all the hand holding crossing roads as they were both afraid I'd be killed!😂
Nurses clearing their whole schedule in Houston, New York, Boston, San Francisco to give me their time for the day. Heads of every department knowing who I am and why I'm there and ready and waiting for a phone call to come collect me if I so much as mention I've an interest in their area.
It's actually mind-blowing when I think about it all from beginning to end.
If this trip has thought me anything it's that regardless of differences in culture, origin, religion or race, people in general (and nurses in particular!) are naturally predisposed to be welcoming, kind, helpful and supportive. The everyday stresses of life can sometimes get in the way of that and we can be tired and grumpy and forget how good we have it but I've definitely seen the best of human nature on this journey and it has had a huge impact on me and my outlook on my own life and how lucky I am.
Speaking of which my last thank you has to go to Gareth. Lots of people have asked how he coped while I was away (he was grand!!) and how he felt about the whole thing and to be honest I could never have done it without him. Not only has he backed me from day one but he pushed me to stretch what I thought were my limits, do more, see more, go further. I mean maybe he just liked the idea of having the flat to himself for a bit😁 but either way I would never have had the courage to believe I could do this without him.
I've also really enjoyed writing this blog! It's something I've never done and was definitely another new challenge but it was fun and a great way to document the trip, I'll definitely be glad to have it to look back on years from now.
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| Leaving Notts on June 26th! |
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| In UTH Lusaka |
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| At Victoria Falls |
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| Road-tripping to Kariyangwe with Fr Trust! |
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| Fr Trust in his Forest shirt! |
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| On safari with Polina & Alex, delighted after we saw a leopard! |
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| Gawping at the Burj Khalifa in Dubai |
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| Had an amazing time at Arellano University in Manila |
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| When Gareth came to visit for my birthday😊 |
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| Sunrise with G on Bantayan Island |
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| Was in LA for all of 5 minutes but got a snap of the Hollywood sign - success! |
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| Travelling through the desert in Arizona & New Mexico💕 |
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| Was very nervous beforehand & very glad to have it over with! |
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| Anastasia on Broadway in New York💜 |
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| From Victoria Falls to Niagara Falls |
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| With some of the NUH team at the Magnet Conference in Denver |
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| Throwing away my £15, Primark bought, held together with tape but managed to survive it all bag last Thursday! |
Slán libh!
Kate 😊