A Few Dramatic Cases

We currently are in a clinic in Phung Dien. So far we have treated 1100 medical/orthopedic patients and fit 245 prosthetics. Each case is unique. Each case has a personal story behind it. Each case takes strength and resilience. Each case is a new learning experience, not able to be gotten from a text book. Please see some of our more dramatic cases so far!!

A Reminder of Peace

12, 000 miles away from Philadelphia. 11 hours ahead in time. Getting up to go to work, when back home is getting finished work etc....  I always look for a constant. A reminder that we are not as far apart as it may seem. As my early morning runs take me and a few regulars through the streets of Ben Tre and Can Tho, I find peace and solice in knowing that the beauty of the sunrise I witness today, will be shared by Philadelphia tomorrow. We see pain, suffering, hardship, struggles, devastating illness, and loss of limbs. But through all that, The sun rises somewhere on this earth and provides a new opportunity to appreciate life, no matter how hard it can be. We are helping patients achieve a better life, and the glorious sun rises each morning help me achieve a sense of peace.

Team Not Immune

During a month-long mission such as this, working 12-13 hours a day in extreme conditions, it is inevitable for a few members to succumb to illness. This year is no different. With our total number of team members being around 30, we have had a portion get affected by either GI illness or flu-like symptoms and fatigue during this first week.  Health and safety of our own team is primary and paramount, so working short-handed is the only way to accomplish our goals. A portion of the team will return, just to have a separate portion get ill. This cycle is common. All we can hope is that the illnesses are mild, people regain their strength, and our goals get accomplished.

51 sincere prayers

When Bac Si Ha approached me yesterday with the following request: We need a small team of 5-7 students to travel to a home for training nuns and for retired sisters after clinic. I immediately committed our entire pharmacy team. So our normal clinic day began at 8:00 am, treating 113 patients and fitting 29 prosthetics, we set off for the home for nuns approximately 6:30 pm. After a 45 minute ride, we entered a peaceful, serene complex. We were greeted by the Head Mother and were ushered to a meal spread that was just delicious. During dinner I inquired about the complex and discovered that it opened in 1844 and has been in continual use for 170 years. They currently have over 80 young woman studying to become a nun which could take 6-7 years. The complex relies on external funding, but provides a sustainable lifestyle growing all their own food.
After dinner we set up a make-shift clinic with 4 beds, an intake station and a pharmacy.
All of the retired sisters were so reverent and holy. They have similar ailments as our general population. They all were so appreciative of our hard work, knowing that we have been working tirelessly since 8:00 am.
We completed an additional 51 retired sisters this evening and finally arrived back at our hotel around 11:30 pm.
I believe we are doing commendable work this month, but these sisters believe we are doing God's work. They all promised to pray for our health and good fortune and as this mission progresses, we need all the prayers we can get!!

Update on Cervical Fusion

After the 3rd treatment of my favorite patient of 2014, here is the results. What was 1 hour per sleep per night for this man, now he sleeps greater than 3 hours per night. Miracles happen!!!!!

There's not always an easy solution

This very handsome and pleasant 16 year old entered our clinic escorted by one of our team members. Once I heard his age, of course we have to have a parent or guardian provide consent and be with anyone under 18 years of age. We brought in this child's mother and proceeded with our differential diagnosis.  After manipulating his right arm, with obviously something not right, Bac Si Ha diagnosed him with a bone tumor near the elbow. This tumor has been continually growing for years and has forced a dislocation of his elbow. As to be expected, this child was very hesitant to receive any injections. In fact, just looking at the needle made him cringe his face in fear. After patient consultation, this brave boy agreed to have his arm injected with lidocaine to numb the area so Bac Si Ha can manipulate the affected area. I couldn't tell if he was crying in pain or laughing, but my heart was breaking. It turned out that he was not crying and was just bearing fearful. Bac Si Ha worked carefully yet purposefully to manipulate this young man's elbow joint. No longer in pain, the boy stared in awe at the way Bac Si Ha was working on his joint. Ultimately the tumor was too big and too obstructive to relocate his elbow joint. Surgery will be the only option, to remove the tumor, and fix his elbow. Bac Si Ha could do the surgery, but time and facilities limit our ability. The mother was instructed that surgery could help the problem, and a recommendation to a local surgery center was made.

As I look at the other happy and joyful children around the clinic area, playing and acting like children, I looked at this boy directly in his eyes and my heart broke. To no fault of his own, his daily activities are so limited. He can not play and interact like the rest of the children. In fact, he will have a very difficult time growing into adulthood and maintaining any significant work unless this tumor is removed.
You're a brave, handsome guy!!! Keep the faith and I hope you get the treatment and support to provide you with a more productive lifestyle!!!

Chuc Mung Sinh Nhat Em Dhimo

May 31, marked Dhimo's 24th birthday. As tradition goes on this mission we always celebrate a team members birthday! Tradition also has a cake in the face moment and this year did not disappoint! Directly out of the shower and changed into clean clothes Dhimo arrived in the restaurant. Then a cake arrived at the dinner table. One cake to eat and one cake to SMASH!!!
Dhimo is a great sport!!

Now I have to watch out for SWEET REVENGE!!  Who's got my back???