Day 2: Surgery day #1 –
Today was a very busy day, but a rewarding one! While many medical staff remarked they were pleasantly surprised with how smooth everything ran, it was still demanding, in and out of the operating room. In addition to performing 21 surgeries, more than 50 wheelchairs were assembled in the mobility clinic.
Although I spent most of the day building wheelchairs, I also had the opportunity to observe two surgeries in the Sports Medicine room. One patient, Rosa, underwent a procedure to remove the remnants of metal sutures that had been in her knee for over 30 years. The sutures had begun causing her pain two years ago, to the point where she could no longer sell goods at the market. “They were two very long years,” she told me. After the procedure, we gifted her the removed and sanitized pieces of metal as a souvenir. She excitedly remarked that after she healed, she would be able to return to selling in the market for the first time in two full years.
Amidst this hustle and bustle, our morning devotional encouraged us to remember the focus of our work. We reflected on a quote by Mother Teresa that reminded us to not do the work for the sake of work alone. Instead, we were asked to remember whom we served and approach each task as an act of devotion to Christ.
Throughout the day, this idea remained clear: the focus was always on people, not just procedures. One of my favorite parts of the day was using my bilingual skills to talk with these people—both those awake during surgery and those waiting outside in the mobility clinic. I learned about their families, jobs, and afflictions, and knew our work was going to change their lives. I know many more lives will be touched in the days ahead, and I look forward to it!
-Isabel Rowan, Blogger
As part of the Sports Medicine team, I had the privilege of working closely with Dr. Hsin and Dr. Lintner, who together completed four of today’s surgeries—two ACL reconstructions and two knee arthroscopies. Being in the OR was both a blessing and an eye-opening experience. One of our patients, Blanca, was especially nervous before her knee scope. I had met her the day before in clinic, and her anxiety carried over into the morning. But the OR team, especially Dr. Rowan, our anesthesiologist, did everything possible to comfort her. Dr. Rowan even let me assist during her procedure, a moment I’ll never forget.
One of the most inspiring aspects of the day was seeing surgeons with different training, backgrounds, and techniques working side by side in harmony. There was such a spirit of collaboration and humility—no ego, just a shared mission. It’s amazing to witness how much can be accomplished with the limited resources we brought, which weren’t always everything we needed, yet somehow everything fell into place. That kind of success only happens when faith, teamwork, and love for the patients lead the way.
Though the ORs were chaotic at times, there was a steady rhythm of passion, purpose, and deep faith that carried us through. Each conversation, every procedure—it all pointed back to why we’re here: to serve others with love and grace.
-Isabel Angola, Blogger
