Starting the day with the devotional is the best way to remind everyone the reason why we came- to help others. Today we were taught from Mark 1:41-43 about the leper being cleansed. Paster Kyle Wakefield related this scripture of people waiting for Jesus to heal them like people today waiting for surgery. He encouraged us to try to heal not just physical issues, but pray for other issues that the patient may have to heal as well. Before each operation Pastor Kyle prayed with and for each individual going to surgery. The people of Guatemala are full of faith and love. While one man was being prayed for by the pastor, this man started praying for the doctors and staff who would be performing surgeries today. It was very touching to know that these patients were praying for us as a team.
The overall feeling of today was team work. Many of the team members met for the first time on this mission but today it really felt like everyone was making an effort to get to know each and how to work with each other. Today was a big operating day to say the least. Close to 20 different surgeries were performed. For the surgeons who operate on a daily basis this may not have seemed like a big deal but for those who have never been in the operating room, what they witnessed today was a miracle. The way the operating team works together is like an orchestra. Everyone plays an important role to make beautiful music. All team members worked so well today despite not having the same tools and instruments that they are used to having at home. For many, this was their first time working with each other but they put aside their normal routines in the operating room and focused on the patients and this mission. There were a few hiccups but overall every surgery was done with meticulous care and each patient came out of surgery better than when they started.
Team Even/Douglas consists of five orthopedic surgeons specializing in sports medicine, foot and ankle, trauma/joints, spine, and hand. Dr. Willis, a sports medicine surgeon, performed eight surgeries today! The operating rooms were buzzing with busy bodies all working together for one common goal- to take care of the patients. Dr. Douglas operated on 12-year-old girl named Gisel. She was the only pediatric patient today. This was her fourth surgery on her hand. She was born with a hand defect. Her first surgery was performed when she was one years old. Then at two years old, she had another hand surgery because he fingers were stuck together. At 8 years old she had yet another surgery but the problem was not fixed. Today Dr. Douglas completed a surgery to help separate and straighten Gisel’s fingers. Gisel said that she was excited for the surgery today. She was not afraid. What she looks forward to most is being able to paint her finger nails! I spoke with her after surgery and she was all smiles. Gisel is a true light and a reminder of why we came on this mission. What a blessing it is to see how grateful she is for this mission and Dr. Douglas and his team.
Dr. Au, a trauma surgeon, performed a complex trauma surgery on Samuel. Samuel had a broken leg with a rod in it and hasn’t been able to walk for two year. Dr. Au was able to remove the old rod and replace it with a new one that will provide the patient with enough stability to begin walking immediately. The operating room was full of tools and hardware. To see this surgery in action was like watching carpentry on the human body. Dr. Au is no stranger to hard work and muscle. Many of his surgeries today required hammers, nails, saws, chisels and more hammers. The amazing outcome of this surgery is that Samuel will be able to walk. Dr. Au says what he loves most about his job is “Seeing people return to a normal life after a devastating injury. And working with power tools!”
Seeing the anesthesiologists put patients to sleep, doctors perform surgery with scrub techs, nurses, and implant reps at their side for the first time was so eye-opening. Each job is so vital in the operating room. Many team members observed these surgeries in aww. But not only was the operating room busy today but so was the recovery room. After each surgery, the patient is taken to the recovery room where loving nurses help them come out of anesthesia. This team took the time to make sure each patient was comfortable and healthy after the recovering room patients started working with physical therapists to start their road to recovery.
After a long day in the OR the team came back from the hospital exhausted yet feeling accomplished. At dinner tonight, there was a sense of unity and love. One of the team members, Breanna, a nurse, had a birthday. As a team we ended the night singing happy birthday to her. What an amazing sacrifice for Brianna to come to Guatemala on her birthday and to work all day serving others. That’s what this mission is all about.
-Anna Au
