Screening Day!

SCREENING DAY- SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2013.
          Pucallpa, Peru
Dr. Geoff Williams found a large group of families and children waiting to be screened for surgery at 8 AM! About 35 children and adults waited most of the day for their turn.  Some of the 35 were screened for speech therapy or surgical follow-up from previous mission with Dr. Williams. 19 were scheduled for the week of surgeries on Saturday, and 9 were scheduled for speech therapy. A few were doing very well and did not need further surgery or speech therapy.  On MONDAY, Sep. 30, 2013, 5 more patients arrived for speech screening- 4 were scheduled and one 3 more patients were scheduled for surgery.  4 patients  (3 children and one adult) have severe burns that need treatment and were also scheduled. A few newborns under 3 months old were too underweight for their initial lip surgery and will return on the next mission. It was a VERY busy day and Jocelyn and I were busy screening patients, giving out stuffed animals and books (so fun!)  and assisting Dr. Williams with patient screening; Jocelyn was pulled from speech to surgery at times to offer her special skill of proficiency in Spanish!  One thing I did learn about the mission in Peru, unlike the Philippines, no one speaks English!  In the Philippines most of the hospital staff speak English.  Here, Spanish is the language and I will have to learn additional Spanish before the next mission! It was very difficult to communicate some important information. Jocelyn was AMAZING and the families got a few good laughs out of my feeble attempt to speak the language!

 Jocelyn learning the "tricks of the trade" during speech evaluations!

 This little sweet heart (Lucianna) was very interested in my nose!  Mom is beaming because she just found out the Lucianna is going to have her cleft lip repaired on this mission! When she left the room she was hugging and kissing Lucianna's head and spinning her around to celebrate her joy in getting the amazing gift for her little girl!  Jocelyn and I on witnessing this moment of pure happiness, got to talk and hug mom and Lucianna as she expressed her joy. Soon Lucianna will share mom's beautiful smile (although her current smile is very cute too!)

Such focus!  Both from Dr. Williams scheduling another surgery- but also this little boy who is getting a surgical repair of his cleft lip this week!

Nannge (Dentist from Peru to the left) and Jocelyn (left, above)

getting intake from patients as Dr. Williams works to find a spot for all the patients who arrived on screening day! The little 4 year old above was so verbal and delightful, we were sorry we wouldn't get to do speech therapy with her but she was doing so well since her palate repair last ICSF mission in 2012!

MORE SOON... I HOPE! We have had very inconsistent internet, a 5 hour "brownout" with no power on Sunday and have put in long hours (7:30 to 8 pm today/Tuesday with speech therapy and visiting patient on the ward)! the surgical staff is still hard at work this evening at the hospital (11PM)!
It's what we're here for and Jocelyn and I
are so happy to have so much to do! Will post more soon- the week is flying by!
From Peru...
Love, Theresa
                                   

2 of the 3 babies above had their lip surgeries today- The little girl with all the beautiful hair is scheduled for the morning! Before and after pictures to follow!! Amazing.....