Random Musings

We are nearing the end of our eight day in Ghana with only three days remaining.  The team has had some incredible experiences already.  A few people wanted to share how the trip has touched them.

Wow! Speechless, heartfelt, angry, astonished and unexplainable were the very first feelings I felt when I walked into the hospital in Kamasi.  I could not believe what I saw.  The lobby was full of sick patients just left on hospital beds with no privacy, in what felt like 110 degrees.  The smell will be something that I will never forget.  Patients waited and waited and waited for someone to take care of them, but 10 hours later they were still there. As I journeyed upstairs to the unit, all I could think about was how grateful I was for my life.  The very next thought was, what can I do to help raise money to make this a better place. This is my eight day here and I still feel the same way I did the first day I walked in.

-Jackie

 The thing I most realized was the incredible will and the unbreakable spirit of the Ghanian people.  The conditions that they live in, which in almost all cases are below almost all human standards have failed to break them and abandon the good will for your neighbor that we all strive to possess.  Every bus ride is met with smiling faces and waves of hello and our team is truly made to feel welcome into their land.

The only hope is that missions like this and the ones in the future with continued exposure can really call to attention the severe need for aid in parts of the world like these, from the ones who are more fortunate.  And also to provide perspective in our own lives that no matter how great ones troubles might seem at home, we  in America are "truly blessed" if only by birth.

-Dwayne

This year, Christmas has come early to Ghana as the children receive dolls, trucks and stuffed animals post open heart surgery.  Each toy was hand picked by Santa (Donors) which these kids will continue to hold onto after they leave the hospital in Kumasi.

Each girl received a handmade quilt and doll after surgery.

Each boy received a handmade quilt and a bus.

Mary using donated stethescope

 

I remember when my mom would deliver dolls to children in need on the Christmas Eve's in New Hampshire.  And these memories of the past remind me of the good we are doing here by giving these kids dolls and cars to have after surgery. These dolls mean so much to me because each one symbolizes the joy and comfort they bring to each child who has the opportunity to receive them.   To watch these kids name their dolls American names such as Mary, and imitate how their mothers took care of them brings a smile to my face.  With the surgery and care we were able to offer children, they too will grow up and be able to have a family of their own.   Thank you Santa!

-Bev

I am back again and feel priviledged to be part of this great team.  Last year was a wonderful time.  Over the past year I was able to reflect about the whole experience.  One thing I discovered is the organizing that goes on that makes this trip such a success.  There are three nurses; Bev, Christine and Judy that organize, pay attention to detail, make sure all the t's are crossed and i's are dotted, so this year my applause goes to them.

-Leslie

Thank You!  As we wrap up our 6th mission, a feeling of gratitude overcomes me once again.  I am thankful for the work of our team as well as our counterparts at KATH.  I am thankfrul to my family for allowing me the opportunity to continue with my work without even batting an eyelash.  And I am thankfrul to all of the Ghaniaan families who have opened up their hearts (some literally) and allowed us to carry on with our dream.

Happy Thanksgiving Teresa!

-Judy

 

This year is all about the teaching!  This is my 4th mission trip to Ghana working in the Cardiac Operating Room.  We have been fortunate to have some of the same nurses working with us each year that we have come.  We have watched them gain skill and confidence as Cardiac OR Nurses (OR Gallery).  This year we have been able to move from teaching skill sets to more understanding of cardiac defects and repairs.   I remember looking up during one of the cases and realizing that each of us, surgeon, nurses, perfusionist and anesthesiologist had a Ghanian peer taking the reins of each of our particular roles.  Isaac, the cardiac surgeon in training did his first pump case skin to skin. 

Francis and Isaac shaking hands after the case was completed.

Our nurses Faustina and Stella, each scrubbed a case solo.  Sure it takes extra time and effort to instruct someone how to do something rather than doing it yourself, but it is all worthwhile in the end when they are able to perform the skills themselves.

Ellen and Faustina

Bob and Elizabeth monitoring the by-pass machine

Tomorrow Karen and I are teaching the Ghanaian nurses Basic Life Support with the help of manikins donated by the BLS department at Children's Hospital Boston.  I look forward to teaching these classes as I have looked forward to each day we have been able to spend helping develop this pediatric cardiac program here at KATH.

 -Lisa

We completed three cases today; Frederick, Maria and Edith. 

Frederick

Maria

Edith

We also discharged our first patient today, Fati.  We went her home in style with freshly painted fingernails.  She was so happy!

Jackie painting Fati's nails.

Fati with her mother and grandmother as they were leaving.

Many of our patients started writing and drawing thank you notes for the staff.

Jackie and Hassim writing thank you notes.

The trip would not be complete without a trip to take donated items to the Sisters of Charity, Mother Teresa's Orphanage.  The sisters gratefully accepted our gifts and gave us a tour of the building to visit with the children.  At one point in the nursery, everyone was holding a baby!  It was such a heart warming site.  The sisters ask us to respect the privacy of their residence so we do not take any photographs within the building.  I did take 2 photos outside where they dried their food and washed their dishes.

 Much of our time though was spent getting the children out of bed and moving around.  We blew bubbles, played with cars, walked the halls and had a great time.  Even the children that had surgery yesterday were in the hallway catching bubbles.  We had a great day!

Richmond mastered the talent of catching a bubble.

Katie playing with Fati and Hassim

Frantz and Abel running the halls.

We also had a visit from a patient we operated on last year, Bishop.  He looked as handsome as ever!

I am sure all of you are wondering about Toni and Esther.  They did visit each other from time to time today, but we also caught Abel looking after Esther!  So we are not sure where her loyalties lie, we will keep you posted.

 

Tomorrow, the nurses and doctors are having a conference  which will include classes and lectures presented by our team throughout the day. We plan on doing two surgeries tomorrow afternoon, starting around 1pm.  Then we will begin preparing for the patient party on Sat.  We have one additional field trip planned to the hospital employee day care then it will be time to begin to pack our supplies.

-Susan

Question of the Day: What does the word Ghana mean?

Comments

[Margaret Eisenhaur]

I think Ghana means Warrior King? We are so proud of the whole team! Margie

[Jerry Eisenhaur]

Darn-Mom beat me to it! Good for her!
Glad to see all is going well over there.
Keep up the good work-but, we are looking forwrd to your safe return home.
Mary, Mom is doing fine.

[Len & Jackie Small]

It is hard to believe you are nearing the end of this mission. What an exciting one it has been. Is this one more rewarding than the others? Bev, Mom would be very proud of you. I know she is looking over your shoulder. Raining here in NH. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

[Lily]

Another successful day for you all. So glad the surgeries have been going well. It really feels like the hard work is paying off in so many ways. What a difference you've all made and it's exciting to see that you're creating a future for cardiac surgery in Ghana. I miss all of you and can't wait to see you when you get back! Go team Ghana!!!

[Peter Marino]

Sue,glad everything is going so well,so many great pictures of the children.Can't wait to see you next week at the wedding . xx Zsa Zsa

[Linda]

Hi Christine,

I think that this trip has been an especially special one. Seeing all your hard work pay off in such a fantastic way. The Ghanian nurses and doctors being able to start to take over and begin their voyage to building a pediatric cardiac program of their own.

I love the pictures of all the children, they look so happy. Bishop looks so handsome.

Two more surgeries to go and another successful trip is almost done. Keep up the god work.

I can't believe that you will be home on Monday, I can't wait to see you.

Love, Mom