Today was our third day of surgery with 16 surgeries scheduled! Our theme today is perseverance. Everyone continues to march on with a smile on their face and help in any way they can.
The morning started with the surgeons checking in on their patients from yesterday to see if they can be discharged. It was so fun to see the patients full of energy and happiness. The patients in the ward come together as a family. Whenever they have visitors or when the ward nurses are there with them, they are so excited to talk and take photos. There is a shared spirit of unity amongst the Guatemalans.
Today we had our two youngest patients of the week, Lucia, 14, and Vilma, 19.
Lucia was having double hernia surgery and has had these hernias since birth. Typically, this surgery would be done when she was an infant, but Lucia was unable to because of the lack of medical care and cost. She has such an infectious smile and brightened up the pre-op room with her laugh while she was waiting for surgery. After surgery, while still sleepy from anesthesia, she was wanting to dance with the nurses to the music that was playing.
Vilma, from Cuyotenango, has been living with painful masses (fibroadenomas and phylloides) in her breasts. She discovered FIP because she has a neighbor who had surgery here. Vilma came in with a very positive attitude but was a little nervous. Today, these masses were excised and removed. Vilma is resting comfortably in the convalescent ward with her older sister there for support and is grateful for the treatment and care she has received at Hospital Hilario Galindo.
The nursing team is working very hard alongside the pharmacy and anesthesia teams to make sure the patients are taken care of and feel comfortable after their surgeries. The nurses in the ward from Reu are working very hard to care for the patients throughout the night. They often work incredibly long shifts, from 24 to 60 hours at a time, and sleep when they can in the ward (sometimes on the floor when there is no room).
We have had many laughs throughout the week and have made many incredible connections with everyone here. The team is working so well together, and surgeries are moving along smoothly. We are ready for our final day of surgery tomorrow!
Tamara Grace & Molly Wayhmeller
