Today was amazing. First thing in the morning, following a 630am breakfast, we met Janet Volpe, a pediatrician and the team leader for this trip. She is an amazing person. She went over the schedule for the day and had everyone introduce themselves. Each person attending had already experienced many prior trips and they all seemed so dedicated about their volunteer lives. The nurses and the doctors are also all so very special.
We did not know what to expect because it was a new hospital and site for Interplast and they only had 2 weeks to get everything set up. Not much time to get the word out, but it came off fairly well. We got to the hospital at 730am. There were around 20 candidates waiting in the lobby hoping to get accepted. For the next 4 to 5 hours the doctor team met with each candidate along with their mothers to learn more about each child’s condition. Based on the meeting, the doctors would determine if they could be successful with the surgery.
Following the doctors’ visit, the candidates would go to he next room to meet with the pediatrician, Janet Volpe, the nurse team and the support team from Interplast to see if they were physically able to go through the surgery procedure. Janet has an amazing way with children. She makes everyone comfortable during this exam phase. Her personality and way with the kids made a deep impression on me. If the child was ill or if the test results indicate the risk is too great, the candidate would be dismissed.
This was my first contact with deep disappointment. A precious little boy named Angel who had a bad case of cleft lip was passed as a great candidate from the doctors’ team. Adam, the photographer, and I were meeting the families and the children as they waited in the waiting lobby. Angel was so playful. I fell quickly for this precious child. I was excited about witnessing the success of his surgery assuming he would pass the pediatrician and nurse exams. When the pediatrician met Angel, she uncovered significant congestion in his lungs. The mother revealed that Angel had a fever a few days ago. The results of this evaluation meant they would not pass Angel to have surgery this week. The mother was disappointed, but understood. I was deeply saddened. How unfortunate for Angel. Here was a time in which he could be given a smile and a new lease on life, only to now to have to wait for another time … or if there even would be another time. Would Interplast ever come back to Pucullpa? Would there be another time?
I was upset to the point that I spoke with Amy from Interplast. I learned that in Lima, Peru, Interplast has an affiliate surgeon who works on cleft lip surgeries. I inquired right then and there about what I could do to help Angel get this surgery once his congestion was improved. She said that if I could help pay for their trip and lodging in Lima that this surgeon would do the surgery free. I told Amy that I would gladly pick up this cost in order to give this child the helping hand that he needs and that I’m able to provide. I now feel so much better. Angel is such a precious child. He made a deep connection with me during the 30 minutes in which we related to each other and I will never forget this priceless moment. Other children also reached deep inside my heart. I did not know what to expect during clinic day, but it was priceless. I can’t wait for Angel and his mother to know that as soon as he gets better he can go to Lima and experience the miracle and gift of Interplast. I am indeed thrilled.
Clinic day ended early because of the limited number of candidates of 20 to 25. I was told that in established sites for Interplast it is customary to see as many as 100-plus candidates during clinic day. We are hoping and expect more candidates will show up during the next several days. The word is getting out and more folks are learning about this opportunity. The Interplast team all get along so well. The plastic surgeons come from across the country and so do the nurses. I have been deeply touched by the love and compassion of each of them. The nurses all deeply reached me and I can say that there is no better career than nursing. I also learned from some that they love volunteer work for doing well for children along with enjoying travelling the world. Several of the team members work exclusively with Interplast and are travelling frequently all around the world. Tomorrow there are plans to do 7 surgeries from the accepted candidates. I am excited about the second day and in experiencing the satisfaction of what it looks and feels like when these children get helped.
Adam is the photographer who has joined the trip to help me prepare a photo journal of this experience. He is an amazing person and great photographer. He took many amazing photos already, along with some terrific video work. He is a real pro and seems to know where to go for a great photo. He is pleased so far, but feels the work in the next week or so will turn out in an amazing way. The temperature is very hot, well over 100 and with high humidity. There is no AC anywhere and we were all getting very hot and sweaty. Adam was soaked and hung in and did not slow down. You can see that he has a mission and the 100-plus degrees did not slow him down at all. Pucullpa is a small city in the Amazon Jungle of Peru. It is among the most interesting and unique places in the world that I have ever been. I am taking pictures and will show them to all in order to see that in addition to the miracles and gifts of the Interplast team, there is much richness in this city. Thank you, God, for giving me the opportunity to join this amazing Interplast team in Peru. Stay tuned.