Surgeries here really do change lives. Even something as simple as hernia surgery can make a significant difference in a man's ability to work and support his family.
For those with large facial tumors, surgery can be life saving. We don't see tumors like this in developed countries, because they are removed when they are still small. In West Africa, people with tumors are seen as cursed. They are isolated. If the tumor gets very large, the person will suffocate.
We had two memorable surgeries this week.
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| Laura and Hasanoutu |
Laura was part of the team that went upcountry in November. Hasanoutu was having trouble breathing because of her large facial tumor. They made arrangements for Hasanoutu to come to the ship. When she didn't show up as planned, Laura thought that she had died. But she came in January!
I drew Laura's blood during Hasanoutu's surgery. We had already used some blood that was drawn before and banked. But often, they want blood that is freshly drawn because it is better for the clotting factors. So Laura asked if she could take her own unit of blood into the OR. And she did.
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| Dr Gary and Binta |
Binta is a 14 yr old with a large facial tumor. She had her surgery on Thursday. We also used some banked blood during her surgery. I was one of the donors who was screened and crossmatched before her surgery. So instead of drawing a crew member, I got to be the donor this time.
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| Wednesday, the night before surgery |
Debbie
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