We arrived at the hospital today at 9:00am eager to start the day. The lines had already formed in the clinic with anxious families awaiting our arrival. As we rounded the corner we saw lines of families and children dressed in their Sunday best. Friends we have made at the hospital were there to greet us and eager to get to work. Like a well oiled machine, everyone jumped in with both feet and the clinic was up and running within an hour and we built the OR, ICU and pharmacy in 7 hours.
While the children waited to be seen, Hayley and Emma entertained the children with bubbles, coloring books and balloons, to help pass the time.
Everyone gathered at the end of the day to make the hard decisions of who will be selected to have surgery. Decisions are made by diagnosis only, not by race creed or financial status. Our hearts are broken having to tell some families that they were not chosen. As they are sent away, they shake our hands or give us a hug thanking us for our time. At least now they have a diagnosis but now we need our hearts fixed.
We will begin the day tomorrow at 7:00am. We have 3 patients scheduled for surgery and 15 patients to echo. The donated items need to be organized into boxes so they can be delivered to the area schools and orphanages. It will be another full, but rewarding day.
-Susan
Question of the Day:
Name this structure that we passed during the ride to Kumasi.
Is it ant hill?
Posted by: Jerry Eisenhaur | October 15, 2010 at 09:49 PM
The structure is a tree... and a termite mound. This blog brings this amazing adventure to life for everyone back in the state. I can understand why this is such an important mission. My only request is that you include more photos of the medical staff, especially the phenomenal OR group.
Posted by: Katy Franklin | October 15, 2010 at 09:52 PM
HI mom its marissa. i love and miss you and i hope everything is going well.
Posted by: Olivia, Marissa, and Nick Horn | October 15, 2010 at 10:24 PM
I bet the decision day never gets easy no matter how many trips you take. I know it will be a great and rewarding trip no matter what decisions are made. The team knows best.
Posted by: Len & Jackie Small | October 15, 2010 at 10:27 PM
hello everyone.....what a team !!! cannot even imagine your own hearts with having to turn some away !!! you guys deserve medals of honor and I can only imagine you'll receive enough rewards when you have successful surgeries at the end of each day !!
Hi Catherine, thinking of you and making sure Dad has daily updates.
Love You, Aunt Maryann and everyone !!
Posted by: maryann dowling-abcunas | October 16, 2010 at 08:41 AM
love seeing the pictures !! wonderful journey......Aunt Peachie and I wish we were with you and your team.
Thinking of you everyday.
Love, Aunt Maryann
Posted by: maryann dowling-abcunas | October 16, 2010 at 08:48 AM
Hello all-
We are so happy that you arrived safely and are off to a good start. I can't imagine how difficult decision day must be for you all.
Thinking of you today and thank you for all you are doing!
Susan-
Thanks for updating the blog and the awesome photos. We love reading about your journey.
Posted by: jennifer bourgeois | October 16, 2010 at 08:49 AM
Great Team.....can't wait to see Catherine's picture with all of you !!
have a successful day !!
Hugs to Catherine and everyone
love, Aunt Maryann and Everyone here at home
Posted by: maryann dowling-abcunas | October 16, 2010 at 08:51 AM
Sounds like this is set to be a very rewarding trip. Somebody please remind Karen Horn NOT to eat anything that she shouldn't. It will be a looooong bus ride home if she does! :-)
Keep up the great work everyone! I'll look forward to more updates.
Posted by: Julie Novio | October 16, 2010 at 10:04 AM
Hi Christine,
Sounds like you will be having another busy mission. It is unbelievable to me that you had everything up and running in such a short time. I'm glad that I don't have to make the decisions of who will have surgery. I would find it very difficult to turn anyone away.
Lots of luck tomorrow, can't wait to hear how everything goes.
Love you lots and I miss you
Mom
Posted by: Linda Placidi | October 16, 2010 at 12:55 PM
Hi, Ellen. Nancy and I are reading the previous years' blogs and are so happy for you and the team! It's truly amazing the great work you're doing and the coutnry there and it's people seem beautiful. We'll read this daily and wish you well. Love, Mom
Posted by: Lee Hiney | October 16, 2010 at 02:49 PM
Hi Steph and everyone,I am thinking of you and hoping all is well.I have to say, I was reliving my experience when I read about the BLACK OUTS !!!!!!!!! Keep up the great work! Donna B.
Posted by: Donna Bruley | October 18, 2010 at 01:17 PM