Today was a challenging and special day. Surgeries began and when the day was over 5 children had their lives changed for the better. Two of my favorite children were the first 2 to have their surgeries – Antonio, who is three, and Piero, who is five. It was very sad seeing the mothers hand over their children to the medical staff. Many tears for the moms. You could feel their pain.  Most of the children also felt their pain and got very upset. Antonio was among the worst who felt great stress in the separation from mom. Watching how the Interplast team handled the children at this moment was music to my ears. So much love and compassion and skill was present. I then wanted to watch over both Antonio and Piero during their operation and I was welcomed into the surgery room.
This was my very first time in being in the operating room. The skill of the anesthesiologists was incredible. What a crucial role they play.  It was like how an artist paints their part of the masterpiece. It usually took nearly 30 minutes to get the child under the influence of their anesthesia. The teamwork between the nurse and anesthesiologist was also magical. What amazed me was that the team of medical professionals came together from all over the country and they had never worked together and yet they were such a great team. Antonio and Piero both had cleft palate surgeries and will be able to function and speak so much better. How gratifying it is to change someone’s life for the better.
Another big moment on Day 2 was the second brief clinic day and we had approximately 6 additional candidates. One of the mothers had brought her child back from the first day. Her 6-month-old daughter had a huge mass protruding out from her right eye. She had no right eye, just this large mass. Her left eye had no mass, but the eye was not able to see and was almost not an eye from my observation. The mother was hoping that she could have it removed and her appearance would be much improved. Everyone was hoping for a good outcome. The surgeon and pediatrician were presented with the child’s x-rays and after Gary, the plastic surgeon, reviewed them, he felt some optimism because he could not see where the brain and the mass were in communication. To be safe they decided to send copies of the x-rays to a specialized firm in Boston for a reading and recommendation. I am praying that the results of this second opinion will be encouraging so they can help this precious child. More about her tomorrow. Please say a prayer.
It was amazing watching the nurses receive the children in their recovery phase. Both nurses, Toni and Diane, are really incredible. Their touch and look with each child was filled with such love and compassion. I was moved to tears many times in watching them.  It was also very special to be present when the mothers and fathers were invited into the recovery room to see and comfort their children following surgery. I was even able to witness one of the mothers offering her child her breast for nursing purposes. What a remarkable moment.
At the end of the surgical day I returned to the hotel with Adam, the photographer. He went through all of his photographs with me, getting my selection and feedback. I am so very pleased with the caliber of the work. The medical team in operation dominated many of the photos. They were amazing to see. The children during clinic day also revealed some truly amazing photos.  Overall, the day was one of the best days of my life. The trip is challenging for me because on my way to Peru American Airlines lost my luggage on Sunday. It is now the end of Tuesday and my luggage cannot be found. Not being comfortable in your own clothes has made the trip more challenging. However, it has not slowed me down because I am here for the purpose of not looking and feeling good, but to see first-hand what Interplast does and how my money is being used to benefit the children. I have also shared with many of the medical staff the story of Barco’s Nightingales Foundation and its purpose to help children with medical needs while honoring nurses for their greatness. Those with whom I have spoken all think very highly of the Foundation. Some have offered me their help. The team had a wonderful chicken dinner tonight and the bonding with everyone from Interplast is another great outcome from this trip. I am back in my room at 10pm to get some rest and get ready for tomorrow. More to come.