The OR vs Campo

Today was my first day as a physician in the campo.  Being an anesthesiologist I'll first blog about what I know best...the OR.  This morning we discharged after less than 24 hrs post-op a lady who had an OPEN cholecystectomy. She did well post-op with minimal pain thanks to a ON-Q type pain pump we fashioned out of IV extention tubing. I'm just amazed at the tenacity, resilence and graciousness of the Dominican People. Today we performed 18 surgical procedures from T & As, sinus surgery, hernia repair, and a total Thyroidectomy. The new OR anesthesia monitors which we brought, thanks to a generous donation from the Rotary Club in Gainesville, Georgia are working well.  Having reliable and versatile vital sign monitors is such a blessing.  We now need to work on getting two ET CO2 monitors. Also we replaced a dysfunctional Sevoflurane vaporizer with one donated from Draeger USA which I working flawlessly... now inhalational inductions are predictable.
My day in the Campo with the medical and dental teams today was exhausting...I personally probably saw 45 patients. After meandering though the language barrier with an interpreter, I was finally able provide some help.  These are amazing people, who inspire me with their graciousness and patience.  I only pray that I showed as much love and patience with them as they showed me today. What inspired me on a personal level was watching my 18 year old son serve Christ today.
Both the OR and Campo ministries are equally intregral to the ministry here. I'll find myself in the OR tomorrow serving Christ  and his children with my talents.

Bill
Both the OR and Campo