It begins in ernest today…

…. after a very successful and smooth clinic day on Thursday, a total of 52 cases have been slated for surgery over the coming week. We choose to be optimistic, and try as we might, that total might be just out of reach. That said, our financial donors and volunteers have generously donated funds and time to “pay it forward” – we reach as high and as far as we can.

This is my 12th mission.   Some of my colleagues have been steady contributors for up to 18 years. You may ask, Why?  It is simple really…there is so much satisfaction in helping others and it is an unbelievable high to see mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters and extended family express tremendous gratitude. It is incredibly rewarding.

‘Pay it forward’ has real significance here.

For the next 5 days, mornings will start with breakfast at 6:30 am.  During a full debrief, each patient’s case is presented and discussed while anticipating any potential problems, medications etc. As an observer, rather than a medical expert per se, it is fascinating to watch the interaction between OR & ward nurses, anesthesia, surgeons, and physiotherapy. It is a collegial and professional exchange with the specific goal of making sure that each case runs smoothly.

As usual, the Santa Ines Hospital has been at its helpful best giving us full access to the 3 floor ward for post operative patients and plenty of storage space for OR supplies in the OR. Bruno Ledsma, C.E.O. has once again lent the full support of the hospital to the team. Today we started with 2 ORs and added a 3rd later in the day, allowing us to operate on 9 patients.

It was a smooth day – cases went easily and quickly and we were able to clean and turn around instruments with no issues. Last year, one of the sterilizers was down, which was a challenge for the decontamination team to manage instruments. No such issues today.

Of the 9 patients, 3 were up and walking by early afternoon…they will be discharged tomorrow morning. A great start to the mission! We are off and running… a team with a mission and a mission with a team.