Day 1 of Surgery: One VERY Long, Hot, Successful Day

The first day of surgery started early with everyone up and ready to get going with changing lives. Today was one of the heaviest scheduled days of the seven days of surgeries – 13 total, which is a heavy load for our three surgeons and their teams.

Upon arrival when I saw that my station had not been set-up, I commandeered the air-conditioned ICU that is a small room adjacent to the PACU (post-anesthesia care unit), which is probably the best decision I’ve made on this mission. The room has become the de facto respite for staff following their surgeries and those needing a break from the heat. The PACU is about 90 degrees (indoors) with fans circulating the heat. As hot as it is, one might thing he/she would emerge from this room with a beautiful sun tan. That’s not the case.

So far most of today’s cases were those we planned for: cleft lips and palates. However, yesterday’s clinic revealed a greater need that we anticipated: burn patients who need scar revisions and skin grafts. Those are scheduled for later in the week as they take much more time for the surgeons.

The only other thing to report was today we held a walk-in clinic. This is the opportunity for people who missed yesterday’s event to come in for evaluation. We had another 13 patients come through, which was great. Unfortunately, though, our clinic location was one foot above hades with its oppressive heat. The patients and us were all but wilting. Afterwards, our pediatrician Amie felt sick so we have since arranged for another location with some flowing air to hold future walk-in clinics.

Although the last of us did not get back to the hotel until about 9:15 pm, it was a good day. We’re looking forward to seeing some positive results tomorrow.

Amie (pediatrician) does pre-surgery clearance
on the morning of the first day of surgery. Despite
having been checked the day before, our team
doesn't take any chances that someone has
developed a cold or other problem during the night
that would make surgery unsafe. This little boy
had been badly burned in a fire and needed some
revision to help him move better.

The young women to have surgery today receive information and instructions
about the pregnancy tests they must take. Again, it's about taking the right
precautions. Some are offended (we discovered) while others find it
amusing.

One of the first patients is brought in. OR nurse Rosemarie comforts her before
she takes her from Mary back to the OR. The crying and fear are a familiar site.

Following surgery, patients are brough back into the PACU under the care of
Wendell (pictured right) and Bruce. After they wake up from anesthesia, they
are moved to the ward for the night.