Up and Down

Me with a little guy I was screening

This has been a week of ups and downs. We are having to make changes in the surgery schedule due to the lack of surgeons. The balancing of the OR schedule is a task I will never undertake and have no desire to. The complexities of what types of surgeries certain surgeons can do but others cannot, balanced with the mixture of boney vs soft tissue surgeries, balanced with what anesthesiologist can assist with what patients balanced with nurse specialities is simply mind boggling. Too much to think on. The OR has had its hands full this week trying to fit is as many patients as they can. Stretching nurses, sterilizers and doctors farther than ever before. With all this a lot of patients have been said No to. A lot have not been able to be scheduled. Surgeries, that if the patients had come a month ago, would have been done. It wears on you. It makes you want to cry. I hate saying no. That is not why I became a nurse. That is obviously a down.

Maggie Praying with a VVF Patient

There is also an up...... Remember Tani??? The little girl with the severe facial burns?? I was talking to one of the nurses and she told me that Tani had her surgery. Hesitantly, I asked "Did they make her a nose?" I didn't want the answer to be No. On that day I'm not sure I could have dealt with the answer being No. But, Thanks the Lord, the answer was yes. It is little, but she has a cute little nose, with nostrils and everything!!!!!!!!!!! That made my day. I went over to A ward. She has a cute little nose and a head covered in bandages. There is a flap over her eye right now from her scalp providing the blood supple to her new little nose. That will be released in a few weeks time. I can't wait to show pictures. This little girl is a gem.... Cute and shy. Never been out of her village till now. That is why I am here. To touch a life. Tani life has been touched.

Little Baby with a cleft

Here are some pictures of screening. Screening is almost over. The North screening will be done by weeks end. The schedule is almost full to busting. But, God is in control. He knew what would happen even before it did. He knew patients we would see. He knew the surgeons who would come. I know he has a plan!!!!!

The whole Team!!!