Surgery Day 3 -Wednesday

I keep wondering if I am going to get to the point of not knowing what to write - that certainly was not today.

I sat with Ross and Andrew at breakfast today and when I casually asked Andrew how he was doing today, he was definitely worried about the first operation

Aqualina was referred from the ward; she is beautiful, 19 year old and has had infected breasts for four years and they were now so large that they were threatening her life. Once she was prepared for surgery one of the local guys pointed out that she had marks on her breasts from a witch doctor - 'a local scientist' he said. Both Matt and Anthony scrubbed in, as did Dr Onesmo, the director of medicine at the hospital. The breasts were so large it took that many surgeons to just handle them. Matt worked on the right with the others assisting and Anthony worked on the left; they were able to cut the breasts off and retain enough tissue to recreate perfect sized, matching boobs. There were so many hands working on this young woman it is surprising no fingers got in the way of the knife. The first breast tissue removed weighed in at 8.2kg and literally fell off the operating table into the bowl as no-one could handle it. The second was 7.5kg - Taka could hardly lift it. This evening we discussed the size of Aqualina's breast reduction and although we couldn't find any stats we think it is probably one of the largest...

Mel required a lot of instruments for Aqualina's surgery

Part of the A team: Mel, Matt, Dr Onesmo and Anthony

Alice and Shannon look on with pride

The four hour operation was a great success and Andrew looked very relieved, although the team just took a quick drink before moving onto the next two patients. Their stamina is incredible.

Andrew, ensuring everything is okay for Aqualina 

I must also say that the job the anaesthetists do is much larger than I ever imagined, being a none medical person I thought they just sent people to sleep. These guys are constantly monitoring, adjusting and basically watching over the patients from pre-opp until recovery. Andrew and Ross both work so hard - our unsung heroes.

Aqualina in recovery

Aqualina came into recovery alot lighter than when she went into surgery. It didn't take that long for her to wake and when she did the first thing she did was put her hand to her chest, the second thing was to hug Jamie and then me (then everyone who came near her). When she came round a little we put a mirror in front of her and her reaction was just incredible; I couldn't help but cry. She looked fabulous - if anyone out there needs a boob job these are the guys!

Aqualina hugs Jamie

Aqualina's operation took so long and the kids were waiting so we had some balloons and a colouring class. When I let a balloon go whizzing off whistling the kids were in hysterics and we got through nearly a whole bag of balloons. It was lovely to see the kids with burned hands having a go at throwing the balloons. 

Colouring in class

Mardi and I also spent time at the ward with bubbles this afternoon which was so much fun. Two of the kids that have already had their operations were right into 'bubble bashing' and screaming with laughter - Irene and Faridia. When we left it was like the pied piper..... we had to promise to come back tomorrow.

Bubble fun

Mardi with Faridia

The other operations today were a burn release on Mborimbori's hand which Anthony, Matt and Ross squeezed in before Aqualina - Matt did the skin graft whilst Anthony prepared the area then they both stitched together.

Team work: Alice, Anthony, Matt & Ross operating on Mborimboro

Then Edward had both his cleft lip and pallet repaired (usually done in separate opps) by Matt, whilst Anthony worked on Mhuru's pallet then released little Kelvin's burned hand.

Anthony operates on Mhuru

Matt operates on Edward

Kelvin goes to the theatre with Taka and Anthony

Edward was such a cutey playing games earlier and his operation was fantastic. He is here with his grandfather who was about 70 but came running when Edward woke up. Mhuru just wouldn't wake up; in the end Jamie and Paulo took him sleep walking and then walked him to the ward.

Paulo and Jamie with Mhuru

Edward in recovery

Edward on Sunday at the clinic

At the end of the day I got to watch Matt do a ward visit to check up on his patients. I saw Adonia (still grumpy) her swelling is starting to go down and Eliza who is still very swolen, then Rose who gets her operation tomorrow.

Leaving tonight it was so lovely to see these Mamas in bright colours

I am going to bed tonight feeling very proud and privileged to have been here today. I think everybody got a buzz from Aqualina's opperation and wish her the best for a speedy recovery.