Feb. 20th - Monday
Being part of this team is just a blast. I am so fortunate to be the student on this trip, and have the ability to move between the ward, recovery room, and OR as needed.
I followed two cases today, the first one being a young girl, about a year, with a club foot. Preoperatively we got her prepared, but the anxiousness of her parents was evident. This is where the language barrier is very strong - and frustrating. No matter how genuine our smiles or our intentions, carrying a crying child away from their parents and into the OR is challenging. Translators lessen this divide, but it still exists.
Thankfully, this beautiful little girl did wonderfully through surgery and recovery. While I was watching, the surgeons gave me a play-by-play of every step, and although I wasn't "clean'', I was encouraged to get as close as possible to see it all.
I saw a total hip replacement following this, and was still enjoying every moment in the OR. There is quite a bit more hammering and "construction work" involved than a pediatic case, and at one point the femoral head did a hot-potato dance in the air from hand to hand! This lady also did great through surgery and recovery, and became my first official Ecuadorian patient!! YAY!
The ward is beginning to fill as 4 adults and 4 children went through the operation room. By tomorrow evening, every bed will be filled.
We wrapped up the night with dinner, as per CAMTA tradition, at a waffle/crepe house, of all places! The desserts were infamous among CAMTA returnees and this year it certainly did not disapoint!
Day 2 of the ward begins tomorrow and the time will go rapido until Saturday. The OR slate is under constant revision as the charge nurse and surgeons ensure that we can see as many people as possible.
Yet another day has come to a close, and my mind is still turning cartwheels over the excitement of today. School seems so far away, so menial in the light of CAMTA's work here. Daily, minute by minute, I am seeing the contributions, fundraising, and prayers of everyone back home come to life as we are able to use our skills for amazing work here.
D.
Being part of this team is just a blast. I am so fortunate to be the student on this trip, and have the ability to move between the ward, recovery room, and OR as needed.
I followed two cases today, the first one being a young girl, about a year, with a club foot. Preoperatively we got her prepared, but the anxiousness of her parents was evident. This is where the language barrier is very strong - and frustrating. No matter how genuine our smiles or our intentions, carrying a crying child away from their parents and into the OR is challenging. Translators lessen this divide, but it still exists.
Thankfully, this beautiful little girl did wonderfully through surgery and recovery. While I was watching, the surgeons gave me a play-by-play of every step, and although I wasn't "clean'', I was encouraged to get as close as possible to see it all.
I saw a total hip replacement following this, and was still enjoying every moment in the OR. There is quite a bit more hammering and "construction work" involved than a pediatic case, and at one point the femoral head did a hot-potato dance in the air from hand to hand! This lady also did great through surgery and recovery, and became my first official Ecuadorian patient!! YAY!
The ward is beginning to fill as 4 adults and 4 children went through the operation room. By tomorrow evening, every bed will be filled.
We wrapped up the night with dinner, as per CAMTA tradition, at a waffle/crepe house, of all places! The desserts were infamous among CAMTA returnees and this year it certainly did not disapoint!
Day 2 of the ward begins tomorrow and the time will go rapido until Saturday. The OR slate is under constant revision as the charge nurse and surgeons ensure that we can see as many people as possible.
Yet another day has come to a close, and my mind is still turning cartwheels over the excitement of today. School seems so far away, so menial in the light of CAMTA's work here. Daily, minute by minute, I am seeing the contributions, fundraising, and prayers of everyone back home come to life as we are able to use our skills for amazing work here.
D.
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