Thank you for traveling with me on this important journey...

My name is Lisa Teske. On October 10, I will depart for Cebu City, Philippines on a 10-day medical mission with Rotaplast International. I will represent the Columbia Center Rotary Club and Rotary International District 5080 alongside of a team of 25 people (medical and non-medical volunteers) who work to correct more than 100 cleft palate conditions in local children. My primary function will be to manage the medical records, but I will also spend some of my time communicating the importance of our work and the impact on the lives of our patients.

While participating in this mission, I hope to improve myself through service, particularly in a challenging medical environment where I'm not naturally composed, and to learn more about Filipino culture. Each day is sure to teach me something new!

For more information about Rotaplast, I encourage you to visit their site at http://www.rotaplast.org/. And to learn more about Rotary International, contact me and I'll be happy to share more about this amazing organization.

Proud to be a Rotarian. Proud to serve. -- Lisa

Thursday, October 20, 2011

In the balance – part 1

Important note:  This post, as with all on this blog, are my observations and experiences only. I do not write or speak on behalf of Rotaplast, any member of this mission medical or otherwise, or others on site. This is my unofficial blog only. The name of the patient has been changed out of respect for those involved. I'll add that while tragic, what you are about to read should not overshadow the tremendous work being done in Cebu.

I’m at my station in the OR. Twenty feet to my left the medical team is managing an emergency. A six-year-old little boy is in critical condition, and the team has been fighting for more than hour now to save him. I’m keenly aware of my uselessness as more than 20 surgeons, anesthesiologists, and nurses work together around this child – everyone is in motion with the same goal: bring him back. I’m told that it’s likely a rare condition called malignant hyperthermia. He’s “flat lined” a few times, been shocked a few times, and now they are doing CPR. The OR is a sight to behold and one I never want to see again. I will say that the medical team is truly impressive. Each person has a job. With few words, they are working together cooly, confidently. Concern wrinkles every brow.
All that’s been running through my mind all of this time are the words: Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Please God. It can’t be your will that he leaves today.

No comments:

Post a Comment