Clinic Day and OR set up
After an early morning devotional and breakfast, we were off to Hospital Hilario Galindo. Pre-op Clinic Day is a whirlwind of seeing patients and getting the Operating Rooms (OR) and Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) set up. The experienced team members hit the ground running, with new folks following their lead. Everyone got right to work.
While part of the team was preparing the facility, the surgeons, anesthesiologists and interpreters immediately started engaging with patients and their parents to evaluate their case and schedule surgeries. This is a pediatric surgery mission, so the team is focused on helping kids get the operations they need. The families had arrived very early, some as far away as 10 hours or more and arriving as early as the previous Thursday (today was a Sunday). Many also left their homes at 3 or 4 am in order to avoid even more traffic that can make a 10 hour trip as long as 15 hours. They come by car, bus, motorcycle and walking, often a combination of many. Many of the kids had been identified and had been waiting for their surgery for many months, sometimes up to six months. It is truly amazing the service that FIP and these mission teams provide for the people of Guatemala.
The parents, usually one and usually the mom, were happy to be seeing the surgeon, yet often apprehensive about whether the doctor would confirm that their child’s condition would be addressed in the days to follow. The looks of relief and smiles told the story. While there is often some anxiety for parents when their child is facing surgery, the overwhelming sentiment was of gratitude and hope. The beautiful kids, with beautiful names like Perla and Hilary, Kendel and Owen, were going to get the care they needed. In all, 77 cases were scheduled for the few days we are here.
And it could not be done without the operating rooms, PACU, equipment, and instruments being ready. The team was on it, evaluating what was available and identifying alternatives when necessary. As the day ended, four operating rooms and the PACU were ready. Cases were scheduled, paperwork was prepared and the team even prepped gift bags for the kids. As our bus departed, moms and kids waved goodbye with thankful anticipation. Tomorrow is go-time.
Mike Miniati
Team Blogger
