Saturday was the end of a long week of registering, examining, doing surgeries and helping the patients in recovery. Dozens of patients have already gone home with their parents, and we hope that they all will return on Thursday, April 7, for the final clinic day and last checkups.
Cyndie George (l.), Drinda Olsen and Jim Galloway schedule surgeries.
Record-keeping, while not as glamorous as surgery, is essential to keep track of the medical records of more than 150 patients. Each patient is photographed with his/her case number, and the portrait is printed out and attached to the patient’s folder.
One of the staff’s favorite patients was Robin, a bundle of energy and curiosity. While he was being examined, his mother, Dina Judith, waited outside and wept with fear. She traveled four hours from her home to the hospital, and the imagination can exaggerate the dangers of the surgery.
Robin plays with crayons while waiting to be examined.
Robin and older patient Alex play a video game on Lead Pediatrician Paula Rand’s iPad.
OR nurse Lois Borie examines Robin.
Then, when it’s time for surgery, Lois leads Robin into the OR.
OR nurse Lois leads Robin into the operating room.
Lois, anesthesiologist Ken Kampman, and surgeon and Medical Director Rod Simonds prepare Robin for surgery.
After a 45-minute operation to close Robin’s cleft palate, Lois carries him to the PACU (Post-Anesthesia Care Unit).
Robin is surrounded by PACU workers, including local nurse Milton Martinez. Robin’s arms are immobilized by cardboard “no-nos” to prevent him from touching his mouth.
After a few minutes of being stabilized and waking up, Robin is finally reunited with his relieved mother.
Robin awakes and immediately sits up, ready for more play until the pain of the surgery hits him.
A crying Robin is given water by his mother. All the patients are NPO (no water or food before surgery).
Colleen Wynne blows bubbles to amuse Robin.
After spending the night at the hospital, Robin is ready to go home first thing Monday morning.
Robin and his mom as they head home.
One of the interesting aspects of this mission is that there are two mother-daughter pairs volunteering.
PACU nurses Marguerite Fleming and daughter Blaire Buehring work together.
Mother Drinda Olsen and daughter Jill Hoyer observe a surgery.
Drinda and Jill in the PACU.