A Return to Form!

For the moment yesterday’s instrument issues are a distant memory… in surgical mission terms the penultimate day is one where the team pulls together to try and maximize the benefits for our adopted friends and patients. The enormity of need of those that are slated for surgery is both exhilarating and daunting at the same time.

We saw 137 prospective patients on our clinical day… of these we listed 64 for surgery with many still to be done. How do you choose someone in need with 3 kids living 6 hours away by bus over someone not working with equally debilitating pathology, not working 3 kids and 3 or 4 hours away? The need so outweighs our ability to reach them all.

Today though was a good day as we were able to do 12 joint replacements bringing our total to 39 over the 3 days. In Canada surgical, ward, sterilizing & physio departments are all miles away from each other (figuratively); here they are within a stones throw. Each relies upon the other to make sure that the flow of surgery and most importantly patient care is not just maintained but held at a high standard. Important not only for all involved but also to keep the trust of all that we interact with in Ecuador. And for that reason all pitch in to support each other where appropriate – the photo of many team members yesterday in the sterilizing department is a spontaneous example where we had been having some difficulty with sterilizing cycles and it was important to clean and organize instruments that were backing up as a result of the slower than usual cycle times.

Today was also a day that highlighted, as it seems every year, just how tough, resilient and stoic the Ecuadorian people are. Just looking at their x-rays is painful enough; and watching them struggle up stairs or to get on an examination table almost physically transfers what you see – you almost feel the pain yourself. Many have a very fatalistic approach – they are so uncomfortable and can’t sleep that they both can’t wait to get their hip replacement but when taken to the operating room are afraid to sleep for fear of never waking up. In that moment they simply give themselves over to faith that it will all work out. It’s when they get to the ward when the nurses and the physios get to work that the real satisfaction begins and the step by step recovery process to a renewed life begins. That is when family, friends and patients really clap their hands together and truly thank you for the gift that our team has been able to restore – and it’s that feeling of sincere gratitude that makes all of us feel like we have done something worthwhile. It’s what brings us back year after year, giving up vacation time to feel that immense sense of pride, sense of well being and contribution.