Surgery Day 5 - Friday

Sadly today has been my last full day of surgery, the team will continue operating tomorrow and into next week however my incredible time at Sekou Toure Hospital will come to an end tomorrow lunchtime. I was feeling a bit sad this morning however you just cannot be low here with all the amazing people; our team as well as the patients.

I don't think I have introduced Musa - our wonderful liaison officer with Geita

The day started early as usual, however today instead of doing the usual provisioning trip with James first thing, I went on ward rounds which was a great opportunity to see the patients in a bit more order to get some grasp of what has been achieved so far. The majority of patients on the ward have now had their operation and are starting to recover well. We caught up with Robati who had his opp yesterday- Andrew didn't think it too soon for him to have a minty. My favourite Lucas was still as cute as ever and the crazy duo always having so much fun; Irene and Farida, were even quite behaved in front of doctors but still a little bit cheeky. We also checked in to see Rose who is quite bruised today but doing well - her grandmother actually came to visit today and we learned that her parents died; it just breaks you heart what this girl has been through. Last up was Aqualina who was also doing well but is struggling to walk; we hope this is just from having been stationary for so long with those huge boobs. Mardi is going to do some physio with her.

Ward rounds - Matt, Anthony and Mardi with Abisia

Eliza, still very bruised

Edward, looking great with grandpa

Mhuru - healing well

Irene - what burn?

Farida - always a cheeky smile

Kelvin doing well - Taka had a message about him today from a previous Rafiki surgeon who is pleased to see he had his operation and allowed our team to approach him

Rose - still smiling

Mardi checks Aqualina

 As soon as the ward rounds were finished the operations began. Taka, Mell and Alice get everything ready whilst the rounds are on so as soon as the rest of the team are back the first patient is on the table. The list today was not as taxing as yesterday to give the team a bit of a reprieve and ensure they remain effective.

everyone loves colouring

 The first two operations were lips – Esta and Salmone, Esta is one of my many favourites, just before the operation she was running and screaming after a balloon, she has really come out of her shell in front of us; the last time I saw her today her lip was all fixed up and she was all sleepy and weepy. Anthony then started quickly after on the elbow and wrist release for Wande – a burns patient.

Mtani - cute boy had a little cry when he woke

Next up, who you cannot forget is beautiful Abisia – we thought her name was Bisia until we were doing colouring and drawing and she can write her own name. She is just 9 with a perfect egg growth on her head; she was here with her father who also enjoyed some drawing today in his Barcelona footy shirt. Abisia has also met the Rafiki team 4 times as she waited for a CT scan when the machine in town was broken for a year – can you imagine a child with a tumour on their head waiting a year for a scan? However the CT scan proved the growth sat between her scull and scalp so it was safe for the team to operate. Again this was a malformation from birth that would have continued to grow at it’s own pace.

Matt operated with Mell, Barnabus and of course Andrew’s assistance; the first cut was a perfect zig-zag of her scalp; apparently this will provide a better scar and less pull. The result looked like a cartoon egg breaking open; with a pure white soft boild egg underneath – incredible! Mell felt it and reported it was really soft to touch. The local team looked on in amazement as Matt slowly worked around the egg gently releasing it from it’s housing under Abisia’s scalp and then eased it out in one piece – he made it look so easy but I understand from the others that this was pretty impressive as it could have easily ruptured making the whole operation much harder. I still cannot get over how it just popped out and Matt sewed up the zig-zag returning this stunning girl to normal.

Matt with Abisia

Abisia without the lump - her loose skin will shrink back

No need for an appointment at this nail bar

We have had a lot of games going on today as the kids at the ward now come down to the surgery entrance to play. However, another idea came to me today seeing all these pretty girls looking a little sorry for themselves after their opps – so I grabbed some bright pink nail polish at the supermarket. Wow – what a success that was, I must have painted more nails than any nailbar does in one day. Including all the Mums, local nurses and some of the boys!

During colouring we taught the kids to sing happy birthday to Taka and then a couple of them gave her pictures - Rashid even wrote 'Happy Birthday Taka from Rashid' with a bit of help.

Anthony doing gruesome work on Yuseph

The last two operations were the lip of gorgeous Mtani and a skin graft for the oh so brave Yuseph with those terrible burns. That operation was one that I actually struggled with, the graft was so large and Anthony used a machine to remove the infected areas on his hands; he still has along way to go but gave us a big smile when he woke up.

Amka Mtani - wake up!

Today was Taka’s birthday and we managed to get away on time so had a glass of bubbles looking over Lake Victoria in daylight before going out to a local restaurant with Dr  Onesmo, Barnabus and Paulo. Most of us tried the local fish – Tilapia, which was great served with potatoe and banana soup…..

Mardi and I are going to try and exchange emails over the next few days to try and keep the blog updated until the end of the mission, there are also probably things I think of when I reflect on this remarkable experience that I will share.