Post-op Clinic: Closing Up The Mission

Today we arose at our normal early hour to get to the hospital by 7:30. But this time it was different. No scrubs and on the way we were commenting on the various “last times” of the things we have gone by twice a day for the past 8 days. The last time we’ll drive by the goat club. The last time we’ll see the water buffalo swimming in the pond.

There was something else though, an excitement to see the results of our efforts. Last year when we did this clinic in the Philippines it was a celebratory atmosphere with cameras going off in all directions. I was pretty excited to see everyone again who came back to the clinic.

Before we started clinic, we needed to do rounds on the admitted patients (those staying longer after their surgeries to recover). But, we discovered that most of the patients had been “discharged” and had elected to room and board at the hospital until today. So as we were rounding we were finding that we’d almost have no patients at the clinic. At that point I knew it would be different than what I expected.

As we were rounding, though, I got to see the little baby girl, Kavya, from yesterday. After her exam I went back to the mother and father who remembered me from yesterday and was able to see Kavya’s transformation. She was darling – still beautiful, but with a completed lip. I was able to get a picture with her and her mother, who was beaming with pride. Her father came over and shook my hand again. So wonderful!

After rounds we moved one room over to do the clinic. As we were trying to get organized, the people realized that we were doing something and started to rush forward rather than getting in line like we were asking. I had people grabbing my arms, tapping my hands, trying to get my attention to get seen first. As the crowd started to push into me, I’ll admit that it frightened me a bit. It really was out of control. and I could see a throng of people pushing from all the way in the back of the room. But Wendell, our PACU nurse, and Allen, our transporter, jumped in and started pushing the mob back. With some order restored, we devised a system to process all of the remaining patients, but there was more pressure than I expected and it wasn’t as enjoyable. I still tried to serve up a smile to every patient, but I’ll admit that I probably failed in the confusion and heat. I was just ready to be done and was happy to hear that the surgeons exams went well – so the patients will go home healthier than before. We were successful.

I have to say that as I packed up my things I welled up at the thought of another mission completed. It takes months to get ready to do this and yet it’s over in a flash. This mission served up a number of unique challenges. I’m going to take a couple of days to process it all. But what I do know is that 74 patients received surgeries; we did a total of 82 procedures (meaning that some patients had more than one); and Nam, our lone dentist (who herself is from India), completed 229 dental procedures on this mission.

Tonight we have received invitations to a closing ceremony that will include a lot of the hospital staff, the Rotarians, and our team. It’s our chance to celebrate and say goodbye. While there will be some things that I do not miss, I am sad it’s over and feel that lump in my throat even now. More later.

Rounding on the ward with three surgeons and a bunch of medical
students and translators.

More rounding from another perspective.

Dr. Soma Avva rounds on one of his burn patients. Take a close look at his hands -- he pretty
much lost his hands in whatever accident he was in. So very sad. But his right arm was freed
up in surgery.
 

One very happy father was very proud to show off his daughter with her
repaired lip. One thing I noticed on this mission was how very hands-on the
dads are. Many of them were there from start to finish with the moms.

Harisaravan was ready to go home. His mother remains so happy and proud of him. He's
the little guy who uttered his first words earlier in the week: mama.

And finally a good bye to darling Kavya and her mother (Kavya was
sleeping). Both parents were still there and praising God for the
surgery that will change their daughter's life. Looks are very important
to later in life when the parents seek a husband and a dowry.