2018 Uganda

We’ve had so many challenges on this trip that is hard to remember them all. On Wednesday we had hoped to do the cleft palate surgery that was originally scheduled for Tuesday. This procedure requires good suction machine as well as a reliable cautery machine in order to control bleeding . Both were in question as of Wednesday morning. We went through several rounds of cautery machines on Tuesday and early Wednesday, including the one that we bought from the US and the one that eventually went up in smoke on Tuesday. We had almost given up hope when Dr. Ambrose somehow procured a functional cautery and borrowed it from the hospital in another town and drove it to us. We were overjoyed because we could finally perform Angel’s surgery. She is a delightful four year old girl who will now have the ability eat and speak more normally.

Also on Wednesday we treated Hope, an eleven month old boy with a bilateral cleft lip and palate. We repaired his lip and will plan to repair the palate next trip. We leave stents in the nostrils for a couple of days until swelling resolves to ensure a good nasal airway. Absorbable sutures and tissue glue are used on all lip repairs so the children can breast or bottle feed immediately and do not have to return for suture removal.

In addition, our team did other operations as well as anesthesia instruction, ultrasound training ( Mark brought an ultrasound machine to donate), pediatric consultations by Mishelle, and we had Ugandan physicians in the OR with us to learn about cleft surgery. Thank you so much for the outpouring of support! Your donations are making a difference in the world right now.

#globalmedsurge

Busy day in Kyotera, Uganda today. Janet, Nicole and Holly set up the OR Mark worked on our medication list for the Ministry of Health and sorted out some unusual tropical medicine cases in clinic. Clay, Liz, Mishelle and Michelle worked the screening clinic. We met some delightful children, accompanied by loving parents and guardians and enjoyed working with the dedicated nurses and physicians at the Kyotera Medical Centre. Thank you for your good thoughts, prayers and support.

Deb, Sarah and I spent our time between patients today organizing the surgical instruments in preparation for the upcoming trip to Uganda. We sorted instruments into two cleft lip and one cleft palate trays, finished putting on the instrument tape, inventoried the trays and identified a few more instruments to procure. I wish these two lovely ladies were going on this trip…maybe next year.

Deb and I traveled to Ecuador together three years ago, and again to Kenya last fall. Sarah has gone on a cleft trip to Kenya each of the last three Octobers. Volunteers like Deb and Sarah are instrumental in organizing and executing these surgical mission trips. So many times we have been asked if we are paid to do this work. People are often shocked when they find out that no, in fact, we give up vacation time with our families to go. But, what a joyful, yet physically and emotionally challenging time it is.

Turns out, the folks in Alaska were also hard at work. While we were busy with instruments, Mishelle Nace and Liz Wood were occupied picking up more suture donations and organizing the master supply list for the Uganda trip. And Mishelle also rescued a cardiac monitor from a dusty shelf and is bringing it back to life–as a donation to the Kyotera Medical Center.

If you feel that you have a skill to share, please reach out. Volunteers are instrumental in the success of our trips, and the trips are instrumental in changing your life–just ask any of us.

Compassion is revolution, this is something I once read and have since thought much about. Working as a nurse for the last 14 years I see that compassion changes us, I believe that it is a true reflection of our genuine spirit. The part of us that cares deeply for others regardless of social status, education, religion, past wrongs, disease, or deformity. We all suffer, and to have compassion for others can allow us to break ourselves open to our own humanity and see the value each of has to contribute to this life.

I am proud to work as a CRNA (certified registered nurse anesthetist) performing all types of anesthesia for adults, children, and obstetric patients. My prior nursing career was primarily intensive care and some emergency room. Working at home in Alaska and around the US as a travel nurse has given me many opportunities to provide compassionate care to those in my own country.

Travel is in my blood and when an opportunity to be invited across the globe was given, saying yes seemed easy. Prior to University I traveled to Vietnam, the Philippines, and India for work-based missions. Since that time, travel has become more about adventure and pleasure than volunteer work.

I know we will be changed by the people we meet. These special families in Uganda who allow us to use our knowledge and skills to help alleviate some of the illness and disease that afflicts them and much of humanity, they are not alone.

For anyone who choses to donate to our mission we will bring with us not only our skills and education but the compassion many of us have for those with limited access to health care and surgery around the world.

What exactly will be my role in our medical trip to Uganda this April?  That is a thought familiar to me from when I went on a previous medical mission trip to repair cleft lips/palates in Indonesia some Aprils ago.  I know I want to help.  I know I can help.  What is not always clear before your arrive, is what is most needed at the destined site.  There routinely seem to be surprises in these situations and without fail, the need shows itself on a daily basis.

While in Indonesia, the need quickly became evident as our tightly woven days became longer as more and more patients were in need of services we could offer.  It was not uncommon that the least amount of time we had between any 2 meals was the abbreviated time between dinner and tomorrow’s breakfast.  Generators on standby to keep the OR running as long as possible past dark; medical staff trading off to keep the support flow going; surgical team members assessing, repairing, and teaching, to help as many children and local providers as possible in our tiny grateful village.

Going to an area not yet visited by such a traveling medical clinic presents a challenge in arrangements, supplies, and complex details.  We are very fortunate to have Liz Wood, as our organizing leader, in addition to a group of dedicated civic and medically minded volunteers –getting their paperwork in order, immunizations obtained, and dollars spent to make this trip a reality.  All understanding that one of the biggest “knowns” we can be sure of is that there will be a lot “unknowns” in our commitment to this service. But we also know, the rewards are not small.  We can take part in changing the lives of many through individual surgeries, providing services/equipment not previously available, and assisting the community with further medical education.   It is a win:win arrangement of which I am proud to be a part.

Mishelle