Francisco’s Story: A Smile of Relief in San Martín
Francisco, a 68-year-old man from the quiet town of San Martín, Guatemala, had been living with a sharp, unrelenting pain in his upper torso — a gallbladder condition that had haunted him for over a year. What started as a manageable discomfort gradually turned into a daily struggle, making it difficult for Francisco to move freely or carry out his everyday tasks.
For his family, it was heartbreaking. “It’s hard watching someone you love be in pain and feel helpless to stop it,” one family member shared. Over time, Francisco’s suffering became a quiet shadow in the household — the pain was present with no clear path forward. That all changed during our mission week with the 878 Askenasy Team. One of the most memorable moments of the trip came during Francisco’s pre-operative screening. As he sat anxiously in the clinic, volunteer CRNA Raul Mendez reviewed his case. Team Blogger, first-time volunteer, and Raul’s daughter—Valerie Mendez was sitting nearby, observing, when Raul finally gave Francisco the words he’d been waiting so long to hear: he was cleared for surgery.
In that instant, everything changed. A visible wave of relief washed over Francisco’s face. He smiled — a real, hopeful smile — and turned to look at his family member with an expression that said, “Por Fin.”- Finally. After what felt like a lifetime, he had a surgery date and a new sense of hope. When we asked him how he felt about the upcoming procedure, Francisco said quietly but clearly:
“I’m looking forward to being free of this pain that has hurt me so long.”
Thanks to the dedication of the Askenasy team and the support of his loved ones, Francisco’s journey toward healing could finally begin. His story is a reminder of why this work matters — not just for the relief of physical pain, but for the restoration of dignity, hope, and the simple joy of smiling without fear.
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