Volunteering – week 2

Camp life continued as normal to begin with; surveys and releasing hatchlings between games of volleyball and snorkels along the reef. Unfortunately, however, Kerry had started to feel unwell. When things hadn’t improved we decided that antibiotics were needed and headed off to what we thought would be a quick visit to the doctors.

We were in for a surprise.

After a gruelling wait in the surgery, she was finally called.

Another wait. 5 minutes, 10… 20.

A long time to issue some simple antibiotics.

More waiting…

Eventually, she emerged. Tears in her eyes.

Apparently, she needed an operation.

Long story short, hours of waiting and trying to understand multiple doctors, we now understand that there is no need to worry… So nobody worry! An ultrasound revealed a cyst on one of Kerry’s ovaries and fluid around the kidneys. The operation was delayed by three days to allow for a course of antibiotics. Thankfully, these reduced the inflammation and we spoke to an amazing doctor who explained everything properly. The cyst wasn’t causing the pain, and as long as we keep an eye on it, the operation can wait for a while and potentially not have to be done at all! Panic over… Although, the next day she nearly chopped her foot off with machete so she’s not letting me relax just yet. If you want more information about Kerry’s condition just send her a message on FB J

On a brighter note, Kerry and I ended a running dry streak at the camp. The shark surveys had been unsuccessful for several weeks, not one had been caught. With little optimism we were stood in the twilight, geared up, watching for sharks. Kerry used a fishing rod to cast out large chunks of tuna. The first attempts had her reeling back in empty hooks, pecked clean by greedy fish. But, after a while, she got a big bite. She reeled in the shark close enough for me to jump in and scoop it out of the water with a net. Dry streak over! The staff took over to take measurements, DNA and observations before releasing it back into the sea. Our names are now recorded as the latest catchers in the survey book. Not bad after just two weeks!