In the words of Tagni, today was an “emotionally packed” day that brought learning opportunities for us all. Though one of the doctors was ill and so we had one less physician, we ended up seeing more patients in the same amount of time – a testament to the dedication of the team. By the end of the day, it was clear that doctors, red hats, translators, and other volunteers were getting used to the fast pace of the clinic.
We saw many unique and rare cases today, especially in pediatrics. A four-year-old girl with jaundice came in, and an ultrasound revealed a lack of biliary drainage and an obstruction in the biliary system at the level of the hepatic hilum. Dr. Coll, the pediatrician on the case, ended up calling her husband, a pediatric gastrologist at Stanford, for additional guidance. He recommended a specific medication and a procedure that can only be done by five people in the United States (Dr. Coll’s husband is one of them). Tagni, Dr. Coll, and the FIP pharmacists were able to get the young girl the medication she needed, despite it not being available beforehand in the clinic. As for the surgery, Dr. Coll is currently talking to Stanford Health, UCSF, and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital in an effort to find a way to get this young girl to the United States to receive the life-saving procedure. This story is a testament to the level at which our doctors and FIP staff fight for their patients, going to great lengths to ensure their health and safety.
Although at times the conversations had in the clinic could be heavy and difficult, today also brought special moments of joy for the team. Dr. Montagne brought a Polaroid camera to take printed pictures of families, as many patients had never had a family photo taken. The camera was clearly popular, as families and friends kept asking for pictures throughout the day. Seeing the joy on their faces when they received their photos was a highlight.
Dr. Diaz brought additional moments of joy to the clinic as she brought hand-crocheted stuffed bears to hand out to young patients. Dr. Coll gave out these bears to some very excited kids- some of their pictures are above.
We ended the day with a devotional from Dr. Long in the form of a song. The theme of this devotional was growth. Dr. Long encouraged us to take a meditative moment to reflect on why we are here, and what we can both give and gain from this experience. This moment of silence and introspection was exactly what we needed after a long day.
-Megan Gerwe
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