On our third day at the clinic, we gathered in the hospital chapel where we sang “Hands That Are Holding Me” and “Always.” Pastor David Jordan emphasized that serving not only helps us mirror the actions of Jesus but also enables us to perceive His presence in our fellow Christians who are serving alongside us. We contemplated how we could provide encouragement, render service, and help others grow in their relationship with Christ.
Kip Frautschi and I had the privilege of observing the medical team, Surgeons Dr. Brad Scott and Dr. Erik Askinasy, CST Vivian Villarreal, RN Avette Mathis, CRNA Shaur Chin, and Surgical First Assist Gissel De La Cruz, treat Rudy René Alvarado Mazarigos, a 56-year-old who needed a cholecystectomy. Rudy had been paralyzed on his right side since 2001 after a car accident and had previously undergone gallbladder surgery in Guatemala.
It’s probable that Rudy had to undergo gallbladder removal due to his dietary choices. Consuming excessive amounts of greasy food, combined with his immobility due to paralysis, prevented his body from properly processing the grease. This resulted in the accumulation of grease in his stomach, leading to liver and gallbladder issues.
However, due to the scarcity of qualified specialists in Guatemala, the doctor who conducted the surgery was not a surgeon but a family practice physician. Consequently, he inadvertently damaged Rudy’s stomach, leaving a prominent scar on his lower abdomen. This meant that our medical team had to opt for an open cholecystectomy instead of a laparoscopic one.
During surgery, our medical team discovered that Rudy was born with abnormally shaped organs. His intestines were adhered to itself and to the gallbladder. Removing the gallbladder as initially planned would require the removal of a portion of the liver due to a connecting duct, which would be fatal.
Therefore, our doctors had to resort to performing an exploratory laparotomy and subsequently referred Rudy to a specialized doctor, such as a gastroenterologist, to explore alternative methods for relieving his pain.
This exemplifies Faith In Practice’s dedication to providing safe and trustworthy healthcare. When the circumstances posed too great a risk for them to undertake, our doctors will seek out solutions for patients to access the care they require.
Faith In Practice remains steadfast in fulfilling its mission, consistently exceeding expectations. As I continue to work on this mission, my relationship with Christ and my fellow Christians within Faith In Practice flourishes. God’s grace enables us to share in His love and extend it to the people of Guatemala.
Back at the hotel, we celebrated the birthday of Ivonne Anzueto, a dedicated board member and legal representative for Faith In Practice who has been tirelessly working alongside us during this trip. Our hotel’s mariachi band joined the celebration, presenting a cake and serenading her with a few musical tunes. What a fun way to end our day. Happy Birthday, Ivonne!
-Audrey Nguyen
