Making a Difference, One Surgery at a Time

Dr. White and I. The team graciously let me observe at the head of the table with the doctor. After just a few minutes, without being asked, I moved to the foot of the table and stayed out of the way.

The skillful hands of a surgeon performing his magic

A job well done.

Because of the great need here in Honduras, it is sometimes difficult to feel we are making a difference. We have to stop and remember we do make a difference to the ones we help and that one at a time is the best we can do.

This week a team of ear, nose and throat specialists, anesthesiologists and nurses are here to do cleft lip and cleft pallate surgeries. Long term malnutrition and little to no prenatal care causes a much higher rate of these types of birth defects that we see in the states. And when it does happen in the states, most of us have some type of insurance to cover the expense of fixing cleft lips and cleft pallates.

In Honduras, people not only do not have the money to fix their child's lip or pallate, the person

more than likely will become an outcast in this society, unable to find a job. There is a man here in Santa Ana that has both a cleft pallate and cleft lip. He doesn't have a job and he drinks all the time. It is a sad existence.

When doctors come and provide this surgery for those that can least afford it, it makes a huge difference in the life of the child and the family. People come from long distances to have this surgery performed on their child. Sunday was pre-op day. The doctors assessed those that had come and decided which day each child would have his surgery. Some people had come so far there was no way to return home until after the surgery was complete. We were going to let them sleep on mattresses at the bodega and fix food for them every night. One of the congressman arranged for them to stay in a hotel and be fed every night instead. For free, of course.

Yesterday morning, Marc and I left here with Veronica, a member of our church, and her sweet daughter Jaime. Jaime was born with a cleft lip and a cleft pallate. Some where the lip had been repaired, leaving the more complicated surgery of repairing the pallate. Both Jaime and Veronica were quite anxious.

When we got there, the first two surgeries were already in progress, one lip and one palate. I was fortunate enough to be able to observe one. I had to put on scrubs and cover my hair and my feet. I wasn't actually doing anything but observing, so that is all I had to do.

The team was gracious about me being in the operating room. They were also very kind to explain things. One of the nurses took a few pictures with my camera. Different team members were also taking pictures. I would have thought that was a no-no.

Dr. White was operating on a 4 year old little boy who had also been born with both a cleft lip and a cleft pallate. It was hard to see the work on the pallate. Since the surgery had started before I entered, I did not get to see the what the child looked like before the surgery. Later I did get to see a before picture. Poor little guy. As the doctor was completing the lip, he said this nose is in awful shape and I don't think I can do too much for it. But he cut some cartiledge and made some awesome repairs.

I was grateful for the experience of getting to observe.

Jaime was one of the next patients. Her surgery was quite complicated and was to last 3 to

3 1/2 hours. They called Jaime. Jaime was scared. Veronica was scared and crying. Any of us mothers would be scared when our child is going into surgery. Then add to that that most Hondurans aren't as familiar with doctors and hospitals as we are. Anyone would be scared under those conditions. I went to Veronica and hugged her. She hugged back and started crying harder. I continued to hug her. The doctors routinely say a prayer with the patient and family before surgery. I held Veronica's hand during the prayers. She hugged Jaime and Jaime was gone.

Thinking like an American, I asked Veronica if she would like me to get her something to eat. I forget Hondurans have to get up, prepare their food, and bring it with them before leaving to spend a long day in the hospital. They might not get to eat all day long if they did not take their food with them. I hugged Veronica again and told her Jaime was in God's hands. She nodded.

Marc and I left for a short bit. When we got back, I checked on Veronica. She was doing remarkably well. We asked one of the nurses to check on Jaime and Jaime was doing fine. We relayed that to Veronica.

We stayed until Jaime was out of surgery. Jaime and Veronica were staying in the hospital last night.

Marc left early this morning to go get Jaime and Veronica. There was another surgery patient in the room with Jaime. The girl had never had nasal passages. The doctors were able to construct some during surgery. When the packing was removed this morning, both mother and daughter were thrilled beyond words. The girl could smell for the first time in her whole life.

During the week, the doctors will be able to perform 30 -35 surgeries, making a huge difference. I am so thankful for these doctors' and nurses' willingness to come and perform surgeries at no cost to the patient's family.

Terri