Just breathe. . .

In Uganda, the role of the Respiratory Therapist (RT) remains elusive. Despite 3 previous missions, we have not been able to establish a firm partnership between our RT's and their personnel. We have tried physical therapists, nurses, anesthesiologists, etc. Our work remains undone. Fortunately, Lupe Haynes (on her 3rd mission) and Sheila White (a newbie) have taken the task head on. They have provided expert respiratory support to these children from the moment they return from the OR following cardiopulmonary bypass. Miraculously, all children have been spontaneously breathing within minutes of arriving in the ICU (save 1..who was ventilated for about 2 hours). They have been teaching different levels of healthcare providers about basic and advanced respiratory support. Our results would not be what they are without their endless efforts.

(By the way, my favorite song, "Breathe," is on Anna Nalick's album "Wreck of the Day")

The Blue Devil connection

We are so pleased to have Dr. Stacy Peterson Carmichael (former Tar Heel) and Jeannie Koo, RN, PNP, join us on this mission. Both have brought their knowledge and skills from the other end of Tobacco Road on the Road to Uganda. Stacy is staffing the PICU while Jeannie is working the "lobster shift" to keep the kids recovering.

But is the lobster shift in Uganda the day shift in Durham?

Samaritan's Purse leadership visits UNC Project-Uganda

Mr. Kenny Isaacs, VP for Projects at Samaritan's Purse, visited UNC Project-Uganda today. He was accompanied by Associate Director for Projects, Mr. Edward Bensham and Ugandan Country Director, Mr. Chris Blacham. We have worked very closely over the past three years with Ugandan's Doreka Shemsande, Children's Heart Program Project Manager and Samantha Nuwagaba, Children's Heart Program Coordinator (both pictured above). Ms. Cindy Bonsal, based in Boone NC, heads the Children's Heart Program. Her leadership and support has made this program possible.

Samaritan's Purse is a Christian humanitarian aid organization based in Boone, NC with an extremely successful Children's Heart Program. They have arranged for the correction of hundreds of children with heart disease by partnering with U.S. physicians and hospitals. This past spring, six Ugandan children were brought to the U.S. for repair of their defects as part of a larger program co- sponsored by the Gift of Life.

Patrick Kahuma (pictured above), was brought to UNC-Chapel Hill where he underwent a successful balloon valvuloplasty of his pulmonary stenosis and ASD closure with an Amplatzer device. These minimally invasive procedures were performed in the pediatric cardiac catheterization laboratory by Dr. Elman Franz with anesthesia by Dr. Peggy Dietrich.

We let Dr. Freid practice in BOTH the ICU and OR

Views from the PICU

Glad to be back!

Well it's Friday and all the surgeries have gone well. It's been a joy to watch these children transition from very sick children, to awaken to a better chance at living life to the fullest. There are smiles given that just make your heart melt. At times the communication lines are hindered because of language barriers but smiles and hugs say so much to them. I may not be able to speak their language but I can communicate and a better meaningful way. Even though this is my third trip here, I'm always taken back by their appreciation and gratefulness. Things that we define as a hard or difficult way of life for us, is mere richness to them. I'm reminded that I need to thank God for all that he has blessed me with. Whether if it's using my talents or skills to bless others, I dare not waste what has been given to me to help others in need. The staff here at Mulago Hospital are wonderful people who also are thankful for our help. They have grown so much in the past 3 years and are blossoming into confident health care givers. They can help their country and a way that is meaningful to them. For those that read this entry, make sure that giving to others becomes a way of life for you and just know that the return of doing so will bless your life as well.

Lupe Haynes Respiratory Therapist

Views from inside the OR

An update from the "pearl of Africa"

The broken anesthesia machine is now FIXED (at midnight). THANKS, Elizabeth!

Wonderfully six children have been healed. They are recovering and their families are glad. This has not been without challenge. Twenty-four hours a day the team is caring for the children. Twelve hours a day someone is fixing the equipment- and that would be me. The equipment at the Ugandan Heart Institute is quality equipment but has not been without problems. Some functions have needed to be enabled on the devices. Those are the easy problems. Some problems have been typical electronic problems like reseating cables and connectors. Others have been more serious and parts have been replaced by scavenging from defective machines. Yesterday a part was needed to repair a machine. I asked Melad the technician here to call the equipment's service representative here to request the part to be delivered overnight... as if. Unfortunately access to parts are not readily available and other options had to be explored and delivered. The equipment here is supporting great work and great people. My hope and prayer is that it continues.

The internet is back up (at least for now) so expect some posts

But we think we figured out what was wrong: somebody has been monkeying around with the cables!.

Gifts for the children

The team brought gifts for the children to have after their surgeries. Brightly colored bags are filled with pencils, notebooks, crayons, bubbles, kazoos, etc. The bubbles and kazoo are wonderful for improving their lung function. The favorite seems to be the Beanie Baby stuffed animals. The children are asking for them immediately after they wake up during the day and evening post op. They are most comforting.

My own children, Kyra and Connor, helped select books for the children as well. The older children received the High School Musical activity book. I was pleasantly surprised that they knew of the movie and one had even seen it. The smaller children have Sesame Street books, with the middle aged children choosing either Pirates of the Caribbean or The Chronicles of Narnia. The country has primary education for all.

(As an aside, we have learned on this trip that even Uganda has "universal" health coverage. . .)