The Team

I have mentioned a few of the folks that I am working with mostly in passing.  I've really focused on the kids because they are the reason we are here.  But let me tell you something....26 people have been thrown together to work as a team, for two weeks and I have never seen anything like it! 

team·work/ˈtēmˌwərk/

Noun:

The combined action of a group of people, esp. when effective and efficient. That pretty much sums up the group of people that I have been fortunate enough to work with for the past two weeks. But allow me to add a few words to effective and efficient.  How about talented, caring, humble, compassionate, brilliant, steady, congenial, generous, warmhearted, social, thoughtful, accomplished, skilled and how about just plain "Cool".  For some like me this is their first ROTAPLAST trip for others this is trip number 16.  For one this is the 3rd ROTAPLAST this year.  We range in age from 26 to 72, the majority of us are from the West Coast but we've got one from Texas, one from Massachusetts, one from Florida and one from Canada.  We are doctors, nurses, lawyers, retirees, Realtors and the list goes on. I am working next to Stanford grads, UCLA and believe it or not we have two Huskies in the group (Washington Huskies that is) and you know they just aren't all that bad :).  I'm nobodies fool I know that not every mission can run this smooth, but I tell you what - God has blessed me with awesome teammates..."shout-out to Melanie the best roommate a girl could ask for!".  These plastic surgeons are some of the best in the country (maybe the world?) yet there is no "high and mighty" attitude.  They are real caring people.  I have watched approximately 8 surgeries this week and every single one of them is willing to teach and explain what it is they are doing and why they are doing it.

Dr. David and Dr. Ron "fight" over who will have local "Dr. Ebel" to assist

Dr. David, Head Nurse Diane, Chief surgeon Dr. Janet, look at the days schedule

Recovery room staff - Nurse Melanie, Nurse James, Pediatrician Dr. Amie and PACU Assistant Garon

Ward Coordinator gets Anderson ready for surgery

Surgeons and friends Dr. Janet and Dr. Ron

Pediatrician Dr. Collin enjoys one of our delicious Peruvian lunches

our tallest and shortest team members Nurse Melonie and Garon

Nurse James, Interpreter Siuna, Dr. Colin, Anesthesiologists Dr. Sal & Dr. Zak

Local surgeon Dr. Margaret & anesthegiolgist Dr. Brad

Surgeon Dr. Tom

Equipment sterilizer Bill with Mission Director Tom & and surgeon Dr. Tom

Speech Pathologist Dianne & Ward Coordinator Ellen

Team Photo Journalist Darlene

Medical Records manager Laile

I felt My Heart Breaking

Anderson gives me a big Oregon "O"

He has touched my heart
I had no idea I would react this way to the kids coming in for treatment.  I knew when Anderson came in on Tuesday that he was special, he is just a big goofy kid that likes to give a show, he has boundless energy and an infectious smile, he doesn't talk but you know when he is happy.  Dr, David was very sure that he could improve Anderson's quality of life by taking his fused hands and giving him thumbs.  We had to remember that we are not in the United States and sometimes getting what we need is not always possible.  It took two days to get the correct x-rays of Anderson's hands to see if the surgery was possible and then once we got them it still wasn't clear as to what we were looking at.  It was assessed that the hospital may or may no

t have all of the instruments that are needed to conduct the the right and left thumb syndactle release...a certain sort of saw, wire and all kinds of other things that I can't remember or pronounce.  The decision was made to NOT do Anderson's surgery.  My heart sank, I wanted to cry and I did.  I couldn't even bring myself to go onto the ward to say goodbye to Anderson as I left for the day, but in the end I did.  He clowned around for me like he always does and I gave him a rubber duck.  While there the doctors were conferring about the case.  All is not lost they may still attempt the surgery tomorrow.  I am praying that they can get everything that they need to perform the surgery.

 

Sebastian 24 hours after surgery
Sebastian had a cleft lip and palate surgery therefore must remain in the hospital for one more day.  He appeared to be in quite a bit of pain but I did get a very small smile from him.  I am sure he will be up and about tomorrow.

Veronica Celebrates her 74th birthday

Yesterday Veronica at 73 years old had cleft lip surgery, today she turned 74. Many of the ROTAPLAST Team went to see her and sing happy birthday to her. Ellen one of our ward coordinators gathered up a small bag of gifts to give to her, a scarf, a key chain among other things, she didn't smile, in fact she gave no expression at all. But we are told that she was very happy with the gifts and the recognition. Apparently she rarely shows emotion. After five kids all conceived from being raped, I suppose I might be farely emotionless also. Who knows once her surgery scars have healed she will find something to smile about. All of our surgeries from Wednesday went home except for Sebastian. Cleft lip surgeries stay for one day, cleft palate surgeries stay for two. Its a long night for the team. Tonight I came back to our hotel early to set up for a class to be given by two of our plastic surgeons to a group of our local medical hosts. While the rest of the team stayed behind at the hotel to finish up two more surgeries. There seemed to be quite a few babies today, but also some four 20 somethings. Tomorrow is Saturday, another full day of surgery. Tonight is the earliest I will have gone to bed. I think I need this sleep desperately.

Sebastian - Peru Day 3

I am truly using restraint in writing this blog.  I want to talk about so much, but today let's talk about Sebastian. No, first lets talk about me. I spent about 6 hours in the operating room today, watching and learning.  There was cutting of body parts, bleeding and giving of stitches, I got up close and personal.  I felt as if I was the lone student of "Dr. David".  "Joelle, come and look at this", and he would explain to me exactly what he was doing.  I had no idea what my reaction would be to the blood and cutting, but I held my own. I've also been spreading the gospel of "Duck Love".  We have a team of 26 people and they all know that I AM A UNIVERSITY OF OREGON DUCK!  I'm putting Duck stickers on everyone and everything.  I brought with me rubber ducks to give to the kids when they come out of surgery.  I wear a Duck shirt everyday of the week down to my University of Oregon surgical scrubs, who knows perhaps we will get an influx of Peruvians attending the University of Oregon, but if all I do is make people smile and say "GO DUCKS" then I am alright with that too.
 Now let me tell you about one brave 7 year old boy named Sebastian - Sebastian has a "hole" in the soft palate and from his previous cleft lip surgery he has scar tissue that has caused his nose and lip to be a bit off, so that was repaired

"Dr. Sal" (anesthesiologist) takes Sebastian to the OR

today.  Such a brave little boy with a wonderful smile.  The first order of work was to close up the hole in Sebastian's soft palate (the very back of the mouth on top), "Dr. David" conducted what is called a "Z-plasty.  Z-plasty is a plastic surgery technique that is used to improve the functional and cosmetic appearance of scars.
I was truly fascinated by it all, from the anesthesia, to the cutting and the suturing.  Once Dr. David had completed the cleft palate procedure, he inquired with the parents,the head nurse and the chief of surgery as to whether he should continue on with the repair of the lip and nose correction, the parents wanted that very much and all concluded that he should go ahead with the surgery.  After about a 10 minute break for the surgical team it was back to work on the nose and lips.  He made several cuts in and around the nose and lips to create "flaps". He then took those flaps and over lapped them to straighten out and correct the lip that was off center and the nostril that was smaller than the other one. 

The hole in the palate has been closed

Creating the flaps to create the "cupids bow" in the lips

The left nostril is now more symmetrical with the right

I followed Sebastian in to the recovery room. where he like the rest of the kids received a hand made quilt provided by quilting organizations from all over the United States. All of the Rotaplast volunteers also tend to bring toys of all kinds to give to the kids once they wake from surgery cars, Beanie Baby's, Ducks....  I checked on Sebastian before I left this evening.  He was still pretty knocked out, but resting quietly.  I guess I should mention that Doctor David is a multi-talented person.  Plastic surgeon by day...professional drummer by night.  He can be found anytime day or night carrying his drums sticks around in his bag, during down times he will take the sticks out and practice.  I haven't figured out yet which job is his true career, I'm thinking he is pretty damn good at both of them.

Dr. David (L), Head Nurse Diane (C), Chief of Surgery (R) discuss a procedure

Today had to be one of the most rewarding days of my life.  The team of people that I am working with are - to put it simply...awesome.  Great teachers, great friends, I have laughed harder than I have in a long time, cried tears of joy and sadness, eaten some awesome meals and seen some pretty cool sights and this is only our third day.  Tomorrow, I get to see "Mr. Anderson" and hopefully we will give him some hands that he can really use.