First.... I think I speak Spanish again! It's like riding a bike! Ha Ha!
Aside from that, Despina and I were looking so forward to waking up today as we knew we were going to spend the day at the hospital. We went to the floor reserved for Operation Smile where we immediately began playing with children waiting. We then made our way to Post Op where patients were with their mothers and starting to drink fluids. It was so great to see the smile on the faces of these mothers and fathers as they tended to their little ones.
Shortly after Bill and Kathy Magee arrived with Jack and Dr. Magee tried his hardest to get them into the OR but they were adamant that they could not. We'll try again in high school! We settled for a few moments in recovery where they got the chance to see what I felt was more impactful.. The children coming right out of surgery and being reunited with their mothers for the first time with their new beautiful smile. I was so glad the kids could experience this so they could truly understand why it's so important to be involved and that what they do in their school brings these priceless moments. So so great!
Despina was able to head out for a while for a much needed break afterwards and a little relaxation with Jack. They have both been working so hard. I decided I'd go help out back in recovery. I didn't ask I just got dressed in scrubs that were in a room I saw nurses walking in and out of and went in! This is where I spent the entire day and this was by far the most rewarding experience this entire mission so far. There is a major strike happening in Panama right now with all nurses so none of them are working because of some salary issues. This turned out to be a good thing for us because it allowed us to work as nurses for the day because they really needed help. By us I mean me and a few of the high school students. Every patient that came in we quickly put blood pressure cuffs on them, attached the pulse monitor to their finger, tied bands around their arms that kept them from being able to bend them and mess with their stitches and stayed at their side to be next to them as they woke up from anesthesia. It was amazing to stand next to them and see their little tired faces. Even better was the moment we could call their mothers in. This was very emotional! These moments are what we're here for. My 2 high school students were able to go in the OR today and I could tell by their expressions and excitement in their voices that this was so fulfilling for them. I wanted to make sure they had that opportunity and today they did. We're getting sad that we only have 2 more days. This experience is more and more rewarding every day and we don't want it to end!
Aside from that, Despina and I were looking so forward to waking up today as we knew we were going to spend the day at the hospital. We went to the floor reserved for Operation Smile where we immediately began playing with children waiting. We then made our way to Post Op where patients were with their mothers and starting to drink fluids. It was so great to see the smile on the faces of these mothers and fathers as they tended to their little ones.
Shortly after Bill and Kathy Magee arrived with Jack and Dr. Magee tried his hardest to get them into the OR but they were adamant that they could not. We'll try again in high school! We settled for a few moments in recovery where they got the chance to see what I felt was more impactful.. The children coming right out of surgery and being reunited with their mothers for the first time with their new beautiful smile. I was so glad the kids could experience this so they could truly understand why it's so important to be involved and that what they do in their school brings these priceless moments. So so great!
Despina was able to head out for a while for a much needed break afterwards and a little relaxation with Jack. They have both been working so hard. I decided I'd go help out back in recovery. I didn't ask I just got dressed in scrubs that were in a room I saw nurses walking in and out of and went in! This is where I spent the entire day and this was by far the most rewarding experience this entire mission so far. There is a major strike happening in Panama right now with all nurses so none of them are working because of some salary issues. This turned out to be a good thing for us because it allowed us to work as nurses for the day because they really needed help. By us I mean me and a few of the high school students. Every patient that came in we quickly put blood pressure cuffs on them, attached the pulse monitor to their finger, tied bands around their arms that kept them from being able to bend them and mess with their stitches and stayed at their side to be next to them as they woke up from anesthesia. It was amazing to stand next to them and see their little tired faces. Even better was the moment we could call their mothers in. This was very emotional! These moments are what we're here for. My 2 high school students were able to go in the OR today and I could tell by their expressions and excitement in their voices that this was so fulfilling for them. I wanted to make sure they had that opportunity and today they did. We're getting sad that we only have 2 more days. This experience is more and more rewarding every day and we don't want it to end!
The smallest things made them so happy as they waited for surgery .
Sujata with a patient and mother in recovery.
A mother with her daughter as she wakes up.
Despina wearing her scrubs in recovery.
Despina, Jack and Kathy Magee in recovery!
Despina watching a patient and his mother reunite!
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