Today, our medical mission's story was front page news and photo in Kampala's newspaper, The Daily Monitor.They reported that we successfully accomplished the first open heart surgery since the 1970's. The center of attention was Edward Kasaija--a small boy with a big heart defect--who walked down the corridor of the hospital today with a big smile and a video game in hand--less than 48 hours after surgery on Wednesday. He thanked us all, but his big grin was thanks enough. His grandmother, who is his caregiver since his own mother died, jumped for joy in the hall in a display of gratitude that gave hope to all the other parents waiting in the screening and waiting area. (For those of you who want the whole story, query the Kampala Daily Monitor, "Mulago performs open heart surgery"). This was a big start to what turned out to be a life-changing day.
Two additional surgeries were performed today and filled the new cardiology ICU to capacity with recovering pediatric patients. As I witnessed my first open heart surgery, I was awed by the "engineering" of the human body and its essential Heart. And I was again overwhelmed by the human factor that makes the newest technology "magical." Everyone (and there were probably 20 people in the Operating Room today) showed the highest respect for Jonathan, our 5 yr old patient, and for each other. Again, the process was seamless among colleagues of varying cultures.
After the surgery, three of us "laymen" shed our scrubs and headed out of town to an orphange for children with AIDS. The joy and spirit that these children displayed to each of us filled our hearts and made us appreciate further the enormous resilience of the human spirit. Many of these toddlers live in pain, but you would never know it. They clapped their hands and sang and smiled as their teachers/caretakers led them with drumming of familiar songs. If was hard to leave these brave little spirits who touched us so much. But we were able to leave them with a large bundle of beautiful clothes contributed by my friends and colleagues back in the states. I wish each of you could have been here to experience the gratitude.
Its hard to imagine what tomorrow will hold here in this week of miracles.
Helen Snow
by Uganda Medical Mission
1 comment:
Dear Helen,
What a thrill to read the blog and see the accompanying pictures. How timely it is that this week I started reading the book you gave me for my birthday, Mountains Beyond Mountains. What a gift to the people receiving the surgeries and also what a gift to each of you to share your talents. Know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and the entire team. We will follow every day until your safe return!
God Bless...Jeff and Claire
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