Back in the saddle – Surgery Day 5




Recovery side of the pediatrics ward

I’m not saving lives here, but there are people counting on me. So I awoke at my usual time (5:30 am) and joined everyone in the breakfast room. Not really hungry, I ordered a scrambled egg. When it arrived, I could only guess that it was from an ostrich or penguin. Too much food. That’s been the theme this week. Not that I’m complaining. Everyone is doing all they can to take good care of us whether it be with food, security, or transport.

Picture with Ryene (pre-surgery)

Arriving at the hospital, it felt sad to be coming back to where there was so much pain and sorrow, but we were all encouraged to bring smiles today and focus on the work at hand. Digging into my charts, the first two patients of the day walked in with their OR nurses, much like "Ronny" did yesterday. It pulled at my emotions again, and Carolyn seeing it told me to focus on today and to push the images of yesterday from my mind for now. It’s been heartwarming to see everyone caring for each other throughout the day with a quick hug or “how are you doing?” – even a high five when "Ronny’s" surgeon emerged from his first case of the day – back in the saddle giving his best. The undeniable focus is on seeing this mission through.



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Playing with Shenen, Ryene and pediatrician Mary

Mid-morning, the pediatricians (Mary and Sheila) encouraged me to visit the ward to see the progress of the previous day’s surgeries and meet those awaiting their surgeries today. It was the best thing I could have done. Arriving in the hot pediatric ward, I saw it split into two sections: one side for those waiting for their surgeries to start and the other side for those waiting to be discharged.

Ryene scoots in for a hug

I first took a walk through the side where surgery patients were in various states of recovery. I stopped to look at each child, spoke to the parents, smiled and winked at the kids. I have to say the transformations are amazing in such short time. I’m told I’ll see all of these kids again in a few days at the post clinic. The only dark moment was thinking to myself that I wished "Ronny" was down here laying on a cot in this hot, humid room.

In the waiting area, I was quickly greeted by the little flirt from the other day, Ryene. At six years old, this little guy has a solid future as a lady killer. Well, I’m smitten anyway. He led me over to his cot where his mother and grandmother were sitting, having me sit down and patting my leg as if I was doing the right thing by leaving the other children and joining him. I haven’t really had many pictures with the children so I handed my camera to Michelle, the ward coordinator, to snap a picture of us. After looking at our picture, Ryene grabbed the camera and shot a picture of me and then one of his mother and grandmother. Very pleased with himself, he led me to the play area where Mary was already playing with Shenen (a little girl who was rescheduled from yesterday and will have surgery tomorrow) and a yellow balloon. We joined the game of trying to keep it in the air; I played for about 30 minutes. Drenched in sweat, it was exactly what I needed. Ryene and Shenen’s happy faces made my day, and Ryene, true to his affectionate personality kept coming over to me for a confirming hug ever few minutes. As we were leaving the play area, I’ll be a four-legged fish if that little fellow didn’t goose me on the bottom with both hands!

While those kinds of moves aren’t really why I’m here, it’s good to be back. The kids really are a good reason to keep our commitment and press forward with the mission.