When 16-year-old Adan woke up from surgery yesterday, the first thing he asked for was a mirror.
Drs. Fritz and Patel had just completed his rhinoplasty and lip revision. When Adan saw his reflection, he started to cry, saying to his PACU nurse, “I’m just so happy.”
His mom, Ana, shared this message with our team:
“Adan and I — Ana, his mom — want to thank you for all the care you’ve provided and for the wonderful work you do year after year — work that has now benefited my son. You are angels in our lives. Thank you so much for everything. May God always bless you.”
For our volunteers, moments like this are why they give their time and talent. ❤
8 patients are undergoing rhinoplasty surgery today, with each surgery lasting approximately 4 hours.
#pediatrics #globalhealth #cleftstrong #changinglives
A look inside the OR today, where our surgical and anesthesia teams are hard at work caring for their patients.
#operatingroom #surgery #medicalvolunteer
It's day 3 of surgeries! 17 surgeries are on today’s schedule and behind every one is a team making sure each child is safely cared for every step of the way.
In post-op, Drs. Paul Melchert and Roxanna Lefort, along with PACU nurses Melissa, Sean and Cindy, monitor vital signs, manage pain and side effects, and guide guide parents through those first feeds after surgery — an important and necessary milestone.
About 30–60 minutes later, most children move to their recovery rooms for the night. The pediatricians and surgeons will continue to round on them through discharge the following day.
#pediatricsurgery #globalhealth #cleftstrong #changinglives
St. Andrew's Children's Clinic Voluntariado CIMA Hospital CIMA Hermosillo
When 9-year-old Alexia came into pre-op, she was nervous about bone graft surgery but determined to ask Dr. Sampson one very special question: would he please pierce her ears while she was under anesthesia?
Alexia had wanted her ears pierced for a long time, but was too scared to have it done. She had even brought earrings with her, just in case Dr. Sampson said yes.
He did. And the excitement on Alexia’s face when she got her answer was pretty hard to miss.
This was a first for Dr. Sampson — and after Alexia woke up in post-op, the very first thing she did was reach up and touch her earlobes.
Photos: First: Alexia with her ears marked for piercing, now happily waiting for surgery. Second: Dr. Sampson evaluating Alexia the day after her surgery.
#pediatricsurgery #nonprofit #cleftstrong
“We were very shameful about the baby's cleft before surgery, now we are proud and we feel very happy about the surgery. We would like to thank you very much.” Parent, Ethiopia
