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Successes and struggles

The end of the field service is always very busy and we have to write final reports on all our programs and complete all the statistics. It is a big job, but it is a wonderful opportunity to reflect  and give thanks for all that has been accomplished. I have the pleasure of reviewing all the surgical and medical capacity building (training) reports before they are submitted. I love this job as I find it very moving reading about lives that were touched and those who are still struggling with conditions that are just hard to treat even with a fully equipped hospital ship. It reminds me that although the last few months have been very busy and challenging (see my last few blogs), it is always worth it. And I wouldn’t swap what I do for anything.

Here are two short stories from the general surgery program and one sadder story from our women’s health program (credits for the stories to our wonderful nursing team leaders Tammy and Steph):

First short story

Pierre and his wife came to screening with hopes of surgery.  He showed up in a large, puffy coat on a hot, sunny day.  The screening team knew that he was not just wearing the coat to stay warm.   When asked what the problem was he removed his coat to reveal a large tumor on his left upper arm.  This tumor had been growing for the last 10 years. Even with the tumor, he continued to work in construction and do manual labor.  Initially the screening thought he would not be able to have surgery because he was 80 years old.  Upon examining him and getting his health history, the doctors decided that he was in good health and it would be safe to proceed with the surgery.

He and his wife arrived on the ward, and she never left his side. The day of his surgery came and the tumor was removed.  He could move his arm with ease, now that the 3.6 kilogram tumor was gone.  He and his wife could not say “thank you “enough times to the nurses, surgeons, and medical teams.  When he left the hospital, he was free of his tumor and ready to take the on the world.

Second short story

Hermina’s mother brought her to the Screening Center in Toamasina.  This 11 month old girl had a large mass coming from her buttocks since birth.  One would not have noticed immediately, except for the diaper appeared to be constantly full.  She had learned to walk with the mass and it did not seem to bother her. Hermina, a child full of laughter, had not yet experienced the ridicule that would come as she grew older and the mass continued to grow.  Her mother already had become skilled at hiding it.  The surgeons assessed that mass, and it was determined that she was surgical candidate.  Her surgery went smoothly, and she gained a new lease on life.  Since she had learned to walk prior to the surgery, her balance was off when she tried to walk post-operatively.  Her mother was faithfully by her side helping her take each step and protecting her from falling.  In a few days, she had relearned to walk and was constantly on the go.  Nothing was going to stop her now.  When it came time to be discharged from the hospital, her mother hugged and thanked all the nurses.  This surgery has given Hermina the opportunity to grow up free of disability and ridicule.

Third short story: A Difficult Journey

At the age of 39, Florine found herself far from home with no money and suffering from a terrible condition: VVF (vesicovginal fistula). After 6 failed pregnancies including losing 4 babies in childbirth, Florine leaked urine uncontrollably. She was wet and constantly smelled. It was Florine's darkest hour.

Florine arrived on the Africa Mercy and it was determined that she not only had VVF but also RVF (rectovaginal fistula), a condition where she also leaked feces. The surgery would be difficult but Florine and Rosette had faith in the doctors aboard the Africa Mercy and their ability to heal.

After 25 years of living with her condition it was a difficult journey for Florine’s muscles to work again. Florine had good days and bad days. Her friend Rosette has been with her through it all. She has been Florine’s biggest cheerleader and her strongest prayer warrior. Our friend Florine is not done healing. She represents the many women who struggle with VVF and have a very difficult road to walk to obtain full healing.