Today was our screening day. We got to the hospital around 7AM and set up in order to start seeing patients. We had about a 10 hour day (with about 20 minutes for lunch) and screened around 100 patients. We ended up scheduling around 55 surgeries over the next two weeks. We anticipate scheduling about 30 or so more because there is a feature about our group on the news tonight and we anticipate many more people showing up at the hospital.
There were a lot of sad stories today---children whose families had traveled hundreds of kilometers just to find out that there was nothing that could be done. Some of the cases were heartbreaking. We saw a few kids with some of the strangest looking deformities I have ever seen. And a lot of people showed up with surgical needs that were not within the advertised limits of the surgeons---but they thought they'd give it a shot anyway.
It was a lot of work and we are all exhausted. Tomorrow we have 7 cases and I am excited to start. It will be interesting though because I am going to be one of the only nurses in the whole hospital--which is really a scary thought. The nurses at the hospital aren't officially on strike--however, it costs more for the to get to work (because of gas prices) than they get paid---so it doesn't make sense to go to work. We found out that it costs $160 U.S dollars just to fill a small Honday---yikes!
Tonight we will have dinner at the hotel again--and then probably retire early.
3 comments:
Em,
Wow! It sounds exciting and heart-wrenching and amazing and, like a great deal of responsibilty for you. I have no doubt you are up to the task!
Thanks for sharing - Scott and I look for your posts every day!
P.S. It most definately seems like a psychiatrist should go on the next trip, :-)!
Thank you and your marvellous team for visiting Zimbabwe. Although my son was not selected for operation on Sunday (because of low weight), it was a wonderful experience seeing you working tirelessly. Thank you again for the advice on my son's health, God bless you.
I second Alisa's "wow!" Sounds like a bit of a challenge, but nothing you can't handle. It is so wonderful what you and your team are doing.
Can't wait to read more about your experience. :)
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