Christian

Do you have trouble remembering what you did yesterday? Have you ever forgotten an appointment if it was booked a month in advance? How about a year? Would you wait a year for an appointment? Today we were greeted by so many familiar patients who waited a year for the team to return. Children who ran to team members to greet them with hugs and smiles so genuine that you could feel the gratitude.

One of the most familiar faces today was Christian who was burned at age 3. At the time he was burned, the family had no healthcare and waited 3 years until they heard about the “American Doctors”. He has returned faithfully, year after year, for 15 years. He always brings his family because to him, it’s another family reunion. He has his Godmother, Susannah, and all the doctors who have worked to give him more function after burning 75% of his body. This year Christian has been performing the task of the breadwinner for the family. His Father was killed last year just before the team of doctors arrived. The sadness and loss is still in the hearts of the family but without 15 operations, Christian would of never had the opportunity to of have a job, let alone provide for the family. The emphasis on religion is present with the Mother on down to all her children and Christian prays that his father will guide him trough his prayers so that he will be a good provider for his family. A terrible tragedy like this affects the entire family. Miriam, Christian’s sister retells her story of when Christian was first burned and in the hospital. She was only 9 years old and was left to fend for herself with her brother who was only 2 years older. Christian’s mother and father were taking shifts with Christian during this time but the mother was needed for her 2 other children and could not be there. I now understand why Matilda does not want to return for more surgery. she does not want to leave her children with the community and the team of doctors who came to visit her in the jungle was a reminder to her older daughter, Solidad, of the loss she experienced while Matilda was in the hospital. The team was prepared for Matilda’s concerns and offered to bring her children to stay with her during her next surgery, should she decide that she would want to return. When asked if Christian returns for physical or psychological reasons, he explained that when his father had died, he did not want to return because he was depressed. He spoke with a counselor who suggested he return and heal himself and so Christian looks forwards not backwards.

Screening with Patricia in this new hospital is so luxurious compare to Coca yet the patients are still poor and the problems are ample. There will be many interesting patients this week but many were turned away. There was a 20 year old woman who appeared to be pre-puberty with cleft palate and many other ailments that the doctors would not or could not begin to repair. Beautiful Marjory returned, another long time patient with cleft palate. She is one of the fortunate ones whose parents have been able to provide for her orthodontic work as her face developed. Last year Marjory’s nasal passage were repaired and she sounds great. Because she did so well, she will not need another surgery. She could use more orthodontic surgery to bring her jaw forward but her work with this team is done. She has many goals that include being a lawyer and a model and I believe she has the strength, patience and beauty to make it happen!

There will be 78 surgeries this week. Some interesting cases for the team include Alma who has returned to get a touch up on her cheek implant and Edison who has had a series of operations to create an ear. New for the team, is Maria who has Poland syndrome and will have reconstruction of breast because she was born without a breast.

These trips fall on Superbowl Sunday every year so the team has found a bar in Plaza Foche that was filled with others who were rooting for the Patriots. As for me, I’m rooting for rest as the Coca patients will arrive at 4am and the day begins