Week Two – Tuesday's Blog
An emotional goodbye!
Some of our patients from Monday's surgery make a quick recovery and are discharged at the end of the day today. After their surgery, patients are monitored by Ward Nurses and General Physicians typically for 1 to 2 days or longer if their condition requires. They are also seen by physiotherapists and must demonstrate that they can walk and climb stairs with the assistance of walkers and crutches.
It's a very emotional moment for the patients, their families, and the CAMTA volunteers as the patients leave the hospital. There are teary eyes everywhere, and patients express their gratitude with smiles, the hallway echoes with “gracias” all around and patients give blessings to the CAMTA team and foundation. Patients are given handouts of their exercises, medication and required paperwork. Most patients have a long journey ahead of them once they leave the hospital. Many travel in buses for 3 to 5 hours to get to their homes outside Quito. Once home, the patients must continue their physiotherapy exercises for strengthening and range of motion for months to ensure a full recovery.
Forty-six year old patient, Mariana de Jesus, was discharged today. A few months ago, Mariana's 5 year old daughter had asked her Mom why she walks slower than other people. Mariana replied saying it's because she has chronic hip pain. Her daughter had told her not to worry and that she will have surgery and God will take care. This incident was before Mariana had any idea that she would be a CAMTA patient. Without CAMTA, she would not have received treatment for at least a few years. Mariana was very grateful to the entire CAMTA team, and shared this story with the Ward Nurses!
Patient Mariana de Jesus, 46 year old female, is discharged on Tuesday. Mariana had right hip surgery on Monday. Mariana has 2 adult sons and a 5 year old daughter. (Back Row) Translator Francisco Gallardo, Orthopedic Resident Dr. Amin Badre, Translator TIm Smith, Translator Adam Petriw, Ward Nurse Deb Chalupa; (Front Row) GP Dr. Ryan Wright, Physiotherapist Kristen Redhead, Adult Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Rejean Cloutier and Adult Ward Nurse Robin Dufresne.
8-year old Erick's CAMTA Journey!
Erick Adrian, 8 year old boy, had a previous fracture of his left arm above the elbow. It was not treated at the time of the injury, and healed improperly causing abnormal alignment. His left arm was bowed outwards and hyperextended. He could not flex his elbow completely and also had daily pain in his arm. In Canada, Erick's fracture would have been surgically corrected at the time of his fracture.
Erick's surgery involved an osteotomy, which is a controlled break of the bone and re-alignment in an appropriate position. HIs arm now appears straight and has full range of motion. In this post-op x-ray below, we can see the pins inserted by the O.R. surgical team to hold the correct position of these bones. After 6 weeks, Erick will return to the hospital to have his cast removed. The pins in his elbow will also be removed at this time in the clinic.
PIctures above: 8 year old Erick Adrian at the Week 2 CAMTA clinic on Monday with Dr. Sumit Gupta, Dr. Marc Moreau and Dr. Ryan Paul (Orthopedic Resient); Erick's post-op xray; Adult Ward Nurse Deb Chalupa and Lisa Bleakley with Erick; and Dr. Ryan Wright writes on Erick's cast before discharge.
Erick Adrian with the Ward team. (Left to right) Ward Nurses Erica Nelson, Dianne Cortez, GP Dr. Ryan Wright, Ward Nurses Julie Cadrin and Jum Hemmerich
“Piedra, Papel, o Tijera” (Rock, Paper, Scissors)
The tradition of the Week 2 Rock-Paper-Scissors championship continued this year! The team unwinds with some friendly competition through-out the day. CAMTA volunteers participated in best-of-three challenges of Rock, Paper, Scissors!The games will continue through the week, and one CAMTA volunteer will emerge victorious at the end of the mission! Game On Team 2!
The tradition of the Week 2 Rock-Paper-Scissors championship continued this year! The team unwinds with some friendly competition through-out the day. CAMTA volunteers participated in best-of-three challenges of Rock, Paper, Scissors!The games will continue through the week, and one CAMTA volunteer will emerge victorious at the end of the mission! Game On Team 2!
