End of the second week

I have not really contributed to the blog for a few days. The alternate on call is quite draining and I feel very tired. I feel as though I am on a cycle of work, sleep, work... I am managing to fit in a run on most mornings except when I am called out late during the night.

Tuesday was a real highlight for me. We went to a small indigenous community Mapoon which has a small clinic. The medical student came along as well. He is great - has a lot of 4 wheel driving experience and loves the far north. The clinic was a really rewarding place to work. Committed, friendly staff who work really really hard. It was not too busy so we had the opportunity to do some real exploring. We drove up to Cullen Pt which is a very basic and beautiful camping spot near an amazing beach. Unbelievable that you cannot swim as it looks so inviting. Lots of large crocs apparently. We then went on to Pennefeather which was even more amazing. It needs a 4 wheel drive and I have to say there were times that my heart was in my mouth when we drove in the soft sand.

It is incredibly beautiful. Completely isolated. The kids had a ball and I have to say that I found it hard to go back to Weipa to work. I just wanted to camp there away from it all.

Work is challenging but interesting. I have learnt a tremendous amount. I cannot believe how much gonorrhoea and chlamydia you see here. It is treated without taking swabs and urine samples - you just treat for both conditions assuming the results will be positive. Have also had a couple of postive syphilis and even a man with leprosy who was seen by infectious diseases in Cairns and sent back with a treatment pack. My hospital skills are improving exponentially and I am becoming adept once again with things I have not done for eight years or so. The nurses are really helpful and I have been grateful for their support. You really have to rely more on your clinical skills here as it is so hard and time consuming to arrange investigations. There is only xray, with bloods getting flown to Cairns at lunchtime so any evening bloods will not be reported till the next afternoon. Makes it tricky to make clinical decisions. Tonight is my final on call. I finish at 2pm Saturday.

There is another indigenous clinic near Weipa and I have spent quite a lot of time there this week. Various allied health professionals including a dietician, diabetes educator and podiatrist fly in on a fortnightly basis. Problems with alcohol are huge despite it being a supposed "dry" community. Diabetes is endemic and unfortunately compliance with treatment is poor. Poor renal function is almost normal in patients over 40. The kids are fantastic. Very unrestrained and happy, cheeky and full of fun. They are just gorgeous. Our kids seem to have adopted some of the unrestrained living that is possible here due to the lack of potential dangers (busy roads etc). Not sure how they will adapt back in the big smoke ...

Yesterday evening we all went down to the local beach to watch the sunset. Not one of the really spectacular ones but pretty gorgeous all the same. This Saturday we plan to go to Red Beach after my on call finishes. May even try to get another fish!! Will head to the local Thai place for dinner with our friends. There are three Thai chefs and judging from our recent take away from there they are really good.