Day 3 of Surgery: A Day of Many Firsts

We’re dead tired and some of us are getting sick. Amie and I both woke up with sore throats and headaches. Despite the long hours and feeling under the weather, everyone is pushing forward.

This morning we arrived to the hospital, started rounds in the ward, and were rewarded with several exciting firsts.

Among the first patients we saw was 7-year-old Sinthuja. According to her mother her stood by in tears, she had never spoken before—until today. She had a severe cleft palate the prevented her from forming words. While she is still in some pain, the future is looking bright for this gorgeous little girl. I remember her from the clinic day; such a beautiful little girl you would never know there was a serious problem in her mouth. I’m so very happy for her!

As we were working our way through the patients, one mother couldn’t contain herself. She came forward and interrupted to let us know that her 5-month son, Harisaravan, said “amma” for the first time that morning(this means "momma" in Tamil) . She was crying and saying “thank you” so of course a bunch of us started to cry to. The people are so grateful for the help, it’s food for our tired minds, bodies, and souls—the only thing that is keeping us going.

Today delivered another first for me: I watched a surgery. Frank, our medical director and surgeon, selected one from his cases for me to watch. I got all suited up (mask, booties, cap) and went in. The patient was 12-year-old Belciya mentioned in a previous post. She had a severely burned and scarred right leg from a fire accident that had healed poorly. In fact, her big toe was contracted up (it couldn’t touch the ground); the scar had healed in a really long thick line on her leg.

Frank got right to work. I have to admit the cutting part of it was horrible for me to watch. While I know they are doing good and to do that a surgeon must cut, it’s very graphic. Belciya was totally out but I kept imagining the pain. Once he got the scar smoothed out, he set to work on the toe, sawing it free from the scar tissue. I had to sit down. He had to cauterize to stop the blood flow as he cut; the fumes of burning flesh was too much. I had to plug my nose and even then got pretty woozie. But I stayed seated, committed to seeing Belciya through her surgery. Frank then cut away some extra flesh above the scar in a shape that fit the hole above her toe. It was like watching a skilled seamstress fit a pattern for a custom piece of clothing. While I was still grossed out, I’ll admit that I was impressed by the skill involved. The flesh was set aside in a solution to keep it alive and Frank then stitched up the opening where the flesh had been removed. Watching him suture was fascinating. With a needle and some other instrument he created small stitches that put her back together. He then moved to the toe and grafted the new flesh to the area to give her toe movement. It was a sight to behold. And probably not one I’ll volunteer to watch again. But I did and Frank’s talent was very apparent. Because of him and Rotaplast, Belciya will walk better when she heals.

I have to hand it to Helen, the anesthesiologist on the case, and Gina, the OR nurse. Helen explained a few things to me while Gina comforted me by patting my shoulder and providing additional context for what I was seeing. We've got a terrific team.

Overall an exhausting but a day full of joy for the patients. Tomorrow we will take a much-needed day off.

 



Baby Harisaravan uttered his first word today: "Amma"
 which is momma in Tamil. She was so excited and
couldn't stop saying thank you.

Sinthuja spoke for the first time today.
At 7-years-old this was a very important
day for her and her family.

Belciya getting instructions before surgery that she cannot eat or drink
until her surgery is over.

Frank working on Belciya's scar. He was able to take that thick scar and
smooth it out. I watched...seated of course.