For a medical student the first time you scrub into a surgery is an important event. Today I had the opportunity to scrub into not just one, but two surgeries occurring at the same time in the same room. Not only was it the highlight of my day, it was unique because it was in Cusco, Peru with medical missionaries from around the world.
I woke up at 5am today before the sun was up to walk to the Mother Teresa house to accompany one of the kids ( I will call him A to protect his identity) to the hospital. I wheeled the wheelchair over bumpy sidewalks with holes and rocks. I maneuvered through crazy Cusco traffic and lifted the chair over curbs. I realized how wheelchair unfriendly Cusco is.
We arrived at the hospital at 6:30 am for the surgery. We waited in the lobby for 3 hours before we were called in. We helped get the boy ready by removing cloths and dressing him in a cute hospital gown.
The wonderful nurses and the new toy |
We then started the procedure wich included fillings, crowns and removal of four teeth. While helping out with this procedure I was also able to watch a bilateral cleft palate surgery on the 2 month old right next door. The gurneys were literally side by side and I was right in the middle.
The cleft palate doctor even let me pull up him mask when it was falling down. Although I did not do much I learned so much while talking with the doctors. They all seemed very interested in teaching and talk about their specialties. Their were general surgeons, pediatric oral surgeons, anesthesiologist and surgical technicians who all had advice for my coming years of medical school.
A and his care team ( i look super excited) |
The A had a successful surgery. He will be able to eat better and will be in less pain than he was before. After removing his IV, giving him a Tylenol suppository and the amazing volunteer nurses giving him a new cloths and a stuffed animal to take home, we wheeled him back through the crazy streets of Cusco back to his home at the Mother Teresa House.
Glad you had such a motivating experience. This trip seems be paying off with all these wonderful opportunities..
ReplyDeleteWish I had your energy and enthusiasm
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