Today was our third day in Guatemala and our first day of surgery. Both our photographer Jack and I were able to rotate between operation rooms and hear different diagnosis and stories.
The day started as our last day did. With a cup of Guatemalan coffee followed by devotion and wonderful views of the Fuego Volcano. As a team we then made our way over to the hospital.
The anticipation of surgeries was felt throughout the group as everyone was in their scrubs and ready to go within ten minutes of walking into the hospital. The procedures then immediately started. This blog will illustrate stories from three different operating procedures to attempt to express the impact our team of surgeons is having on these Guatemalan people.
To start both Jack and I observed a total knee replacement with a lady who was there with her son. The replacement went as smoothly as it could go and we walked out to the family waiting room to be greeted by her son. As soon as the words “everything went great and your mother is healthy but will need a month or so to fully recover” was translated his face lit up with joy. No response was given, only handshakes to every nurse, surgeon and bystander in the room followed by a thank you in spanish. The reaction was infectious as we could tell this lady’s life was changed. Ironically as we were circulating between rooms Jack and I came across her whilst she was being placed in the recovery room. After just coming out of anesthesia she saw our faces with a smile and an exhausted voice she said thank you with her hand raised. Though Jack and I had nothing to do with the actual surgery she was very thankful for our team’s presence and work. This motivated the whole orthopedic group for the rest of the day.
Next was a urology patient. This man had been struggling with an enlarged prostate for 47 years of his life. For those that do not know this means he had frequency and urgency without the ability to pass often. Oftentimes having to go to the washroom every five minutes on bad days. Though we were not able to experience this first hand our translators explained to us that as soon as he was in the recovery room his wife gave everyone a hug and a big thank you. Even when our translator expressed he did not do the surgery she gave him another hug with a big smile. This surgery did not just help this patient but also changed the lives of the people around him. Imagine having to worry about the closest washroom no matter where you were, trying to sleep at night with urgency but no flow and trying to have a stable job. Let alone for 47 years. This man’s life was changed along with many others.
For our last case of the day Jack and I were able to watch our Ob/Gyn surgeons operate on a patient. This patient had a melon sized lump in her stomach which had been there for years. Imagine the amount of pain she had to be in to a melon size lump constantly pressing against organs in the abdomen. After 2 hours and 40 minutes the operation was complete. Though we were not able to visit the patient today after the operation, imagine the amount of relief this patient had. We plan to follow up with her in the morning and understand her story a little bit more.
Ross Roloson, Blogger
