Update...

Well..by looking at the last post I would say that its about time for an update hey?
I did make it to the Seabourn Spirit and the last 3 weeks have been the best and worst of my life. I travelled with the ship from Singapore right through Thailand, to big ports and private beaches..then through to Vietnam..then now, in China, where I took a turn for the worst and for the time being, my adventure on Seabourn has had to hit the breaks in a big way.
We had just come out of the daily evening meeting at 6pm..just before we go on evening shift till about 10pm. It was Embarkation day on that Sunday, so I had tons of preperation that needed to be done before then. I was running around looking for the right things and earlier that day my best ship buddy, Jenny and I had been laughing hysterically as we hid around corners while pretending to shoot each other with the spray bottles. Now, while still looking for the right things, Jenny jumped out from behind a wall and sprayed the guest infront of me!!! It was probably the funniest thing I have EVER seen. These guests are paying in excess of $US10 000 for a week cruise and are treated like royallty aboard, so you must understand how much funnier this made this incident!
I am happy to report though that she was a lovely lady who only enquired as to whether or not it would stain her blouse! Jenny went and found her again later to say sorry again..and all was right in the world..
But, after that bit of laughter and not being able to control ourselves as we hid in a nearby room to recover before anything else happened..I left and went to carry on the the Embarkation business that I was so busy doing before this game of cops and robbers went sour.
I began to feel a bad pain in my tummy..lower abdomen to be exact. My first thought was “Maybe you gotta poop” J Im laughing as I think of dear Lauren and her poop stories...
Anyways, no luck in that department..so I thought I would just carry on and see if it goes away. Eventually it got so bad that I needed help to get down to Deck 3 where the doctors offices are. He too asked me the poop question..but I assured him that the pain was a little more serious than that.
He took blood tests and gave me 2 injections in my bum. I have to say that if I am never injected again..that would be too soon. Along with being poked, prodded, and have things stuck into me that I would rather not mention on this wholesome family blog. J
After that he sent me to bed with what he called an elephants dose of painkiller.
To say the next day was worse would be the understatement of the century..prehaps the millenia.
Unbeknowns to me (or the doctor who thought I had a case of appendicitus) The infection from the burst cyst in right Fallopian Tube had spread. Now I couldnt breathe as the muscles in my chest were too painful for me to even draw breath. The pain was everywhere and I thought Of my word..whats happening to me?
We had reached port that morning soon after I was taken back to Deck 3 for more shots of the elephant painkillers, just to let me breathe.
We had to get me dressed and ready to get to the hospital in Nanjing, China. I was so scared and confused and kept thinking, I dont wanna go home, I love the ship, I have only been here for 3 weeks..I still have so much to see and do!
I wont linger too long on the details of the hospital in Nanjing. It was filthy. The doctors spoke no English. I have never been more afraid in my entire life as when they lifted me on that table to have a look. My doctor from the ship (who is the most amazing man I have ever met and never left my side or let them do anything without showing him first) just stood at my side and stroked my cheeks while tears streamed silently down the side of my face.
He refused to leave me there and so, it was back in the car and back to the ship. We were scheduled to arrive in Shanghai the next day and he know of a very good International Hospital there that would be able to look after me. I was out on a drip every few hours as I hadnt eaten anything in the last 3 days. But, he couldnt give me anymore elephant doses unfortunately. So, I had to make due with some tablets J
I think that almost every person that I had made friends with on that ship in those 3 weeks passed through my door that night. They brought me flowers, wrote me notes. The friendships I made in these 3 weeks are going to be lifelong..I just know that.
The next day, after Jenny had packed me an overnight bag and was going to pack all the rest of my things for me later, I was once again put in a wheelchair and taken off the ship.
I cried so much.
I cried for the dream that was now lost, I cried for the people I was saying goodbye to..people who, when you are on a small ship, become like your family in such a short space of time. I have no idea who is still going to be on when I get back on. That hurts so much.
I just cried.
We got to the hospital and they did all the tests, scans, x rays..all the usual boring stuff. I was admitted that morning. My ship sailed away the next. I have never had such a sense of being so alone in my life as when I looked at the clock on the wall and it said 11.59am...
It then hit me. I was completely alone.
Things took a turn for the worst 2 days ago. They realised that the antibiotics werent going to be able to clear the infection and that it was worse than they thought. So, I was prepped for surgery and wheeled away. Just like that. No goodbyes to anyone, nobody to hold my hand and tell me it was going to be ok and that they would be there when I came round. Nothing.
When I did eventually wake up a few hours later, I had no clue where I was or what had just happened. They tried to explain it to me as best they could. Bless them. They really are such wonderful people who I am so blessed to have been put with.
The healing has been coming along slowly. Its been a routine for me..read, eat some semi-liquid food, read, try and get online for a few mins before the connection goes again..sleep.
They say that I can maybe be discharged on Sunday. Today is Thursday. It feels as though its an eternity to wait. But, I know that I need to be completely better before I can make the long flight back to my family in New Zealand. I can only imagine what worry this has put them through.
Since I am under all sorts of medical insurance, being on the ship, all costs are covered by them, as well as my flight home, as well as any medical costs incurred there where I need to undergo furthur recovery. Also, they pay me for the time I am on sick leave. AMAZING people. Honestly. I cannot begin to explain how blessed I feel by all this. Its just overwhelming.
Thats about all I have for now and Im going to try and post this...
Thank you so much Lauren for letting everyone know that there was something wrong and asking for their prayers for me. I have never met you..but you are amazing. Thank you so much dear friend.
Thank you also to all those who have emailed and sent me messages on Facebook. You are all awesome and I feel so loved.
Thank you again x