February 28, 2014

/in /by CAMTA

Villavicencio can Finally Walk!

Both of Villavicencio's feet were so contracted that she couldn't walk. She also had juvenile myositis up until age 10, at which time the symptoms disappeared but damaged tissue remains. Her surgery entailed lengthening both Achilles tendons, which will allow her feet to be flat on the ground and consequently allow her to be mobile. Villavicencio's mother is so very grateful and will readily hug any member of the CAMTA team with tears in her eyes.

Pediatric ward nurses Dianne Cortez and Julie Cadrin with Villavicencio and her mother.

 

 

Villavicencio says goodbye to the team.

 

 

 

Maria Successfully Negotiated the Stairs

For 10 years it was slow and extremely painful for Lojano Curchichabla Maria Rocenda to negotiate the stairs at home and get to the street corner to sell her wares. Her two oldest children have left home, but she still has three children in her busy house. She described days when she was angry and upset at her circumstances.
  
CAMTA replaced Maria's right hip, and because she demonstrated her ability to negotiate the stairs at the hospital today she will be discharged. She says her hip is sore, but the intense pain is gone. “I want to thank CAMTA with my whole heart,” she said as she hugged us.

 

Physiotherapist Kristen Redhead trains Maria to use the stairs.

 

 

Translator Sammy Ruiz with Maria and her daughter Marta just before being discharged.

 

Marlena is Dancing Again

For seven years 43 year-old Marlena Mendia was mostly bedridden and relied entirely on family and friends for support every day. After her bilateral hip replacement last year, instead of sitting on the sidelines she is living an abundantly full life. Not only does she no longer rely on others for her daily living, she can enjoy dancing again. “I can dance the whole night,” she said beaming. Her 17 year old daughter Gladys proudly accompanied her mother and said she is so happy to see her mother's amazing transformation.

Translator Sammy Ruiz, Gladys, Marlena and translator Toby Cubitt

 

 

 

Elias Gets Cuddles

Elias had a rapt audience when he returned to the hospital again today to get his clubfeet recast. He would have much preferred to be happily cuddled by Barb Moreau than to have the surgeons recast his feet!

Elias being cuddled by Barb Moreau with RR nurse Bev Runka and OR nurse Eileen Guilfoyle looking on.

 

 

The Busyness Just outside the Operating Rooms

A buzz of activity occurs just outside the operating rooms. Team members efficiently move patients from the operating rooms to the recovery room, organize supplies and sterilize instruments. 

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CAMTA in Action

 

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