Posted by: Robin Kemmer
in FOT Blog on Mar 05, 2010
Near a month post-mission 2010 and i am still haunted by an incidence that occurred in the pre-screening clinic in ecuador. When the fot team arrived on sunday for the screening clinic, where patients are selected by need to receive care, the team was received by a huge group with a great show of appreciation from the Ecuadorian people.
This felt good. Among the hordes of families and children was a woman with obvious facial deformities; she like the others was hopeful to receive care . The pleading in her eyes was unconcealed. I again encountered this particular woman hours later as she was leaving the hospital tearful and upset.
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Posted by: Dr. Michael Lovely
in FOT Blog on Feb 05, 2010
If only I had the eloquence to accurately describe the sense of teamwork, pride and accomplishment that comes from working with the exceptional people who make up the FOT team. Many wonderful people contributed their money, time and/or talents to make this work possible. Although all were not present in Ecuador, I can only hope that we can somehow share just how meaningful this work is to the children and parents we met while there. To know that more than 50 children will feel more secure in their futures and lead more normal lives is an overwhelming emotional feeling. To be able to practice medicine in its purest form, to deliver care to appreciative patients who have no other access to care, is a privilege that few physicians are able to experience.
Thanks again to all the donors, friends, family and others who make these trips possible. Special thanks to the family members who gave up their mothers, fathers, husbands and wives to make the world a better place for the children of Ecuador.
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Posted by: Dr. George Dakkak
in FOT Blog on Feb 03, 2010
That was my first time with Faces of Tomorrow . I joined a group of people most of whom I 'd never seen before. Went to a country I have never been before. Gave anesthesia to children I have never known and probably I will never see again. Left my comfort zone and and went to a faraway country. It was an amazing experience. I can feel the kindness and the love of this group that got together for one purpose to change the lives of a number of children that have been left behind. They have no access to a health care that can fix their problems to make them be normal. I felt the integration of our group to function as one entity not many individuals. We worked without limit for one purpose to make these children feel whole, feel normal like any other peers. The response we got back makes anybody cry. I came back with a better understanding of the meaning of kindness and giving.
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Posted by: Mary Beth Takacs
in FOT Blog on Feb 03, 2010
I am back in my house in Northern California reading the blog on FOT and wondering who was affected more.....the Ecuadorian families or was it truly those of us who cared for them? I was one of the floor nurses on the mission who took care of these kids after they came up from the recovery room. The parent held their child in their arms as we walked up the flight of stairs to the floor.....their beaming smiles and tears so bright against the OR cover gown and hat they wore. The children scared and in pain not knowing what had happened, the parent just knowing they had needed to do this for their child.
I know I walked away a better person, seeing the strength these children had to drink immediately after surgery, take the pain med that was offered and continue with that same regime until it was time to go home. The moms (or aunts or grandmas) who held their children through the day and night comforting them, telling them it would be alright. The smiles that met us the day after surgery from the children and the parents thanking us for all that we had done.
Some of the most amazing moments for me:
getting off the bus the day before we were even supposed to see patients and having a little girl who had surgery last year come running up to my sister (also a floor nurse on this mission) calling her name and hugging her fiercely around the waist........
when one patient would come up to the floor, the other families would crowd around trying to catch a glimpse of the miracle that happened in the OR knowing that their child was next...
the compassion felt for each other's children since they all had a common thread that connected them....
one breast feeding mom inquiring if any babies needed milk since she had plenty to share.....
I left feeling honored that I was able to be a part of this incredible team and once again am thankful that I am a nurse and possess a skill that can help heal and care for those in need.
Mary Beth Takacs, RN
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Posted by: Karyn Gordon
in FOT Blog on Feb 03, 2010
I would like to thank the family and friends who so generously made donations this year and in turn helped me to experience being able to touch so many children and their families lives.
It's amazing how the patient stories resonant so deeply within me. Diana the soccer star, Estaphenie who has lived a tragic life and actually smiled when I discharged her. Amy Mabel, who stole my heart from the minute I saw her, had a huge cleft lip and at discharge clinic just smiled and smiled. They thank us for the work we do...I thank them for the joy and perspective they have given me.
What a pleasure it was when we showed up the first day and I was greeted by 2 young girls I had the privilege of taking care of the year before. They ran up to me and gave me huge hugs of gratitude.
I would like thank every team member...we had one goal...to help as many children as we could...and that goal was far surpassed because of everyones contributions. The comroderie we have built will last a life time.
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Posted by: Timothy Sean Sanchez
in FOT Blog on Feb 02, 2010
The patients and families really set the tone for our mission when they received us in the hospital lobby with a rip-roaring applause and many thanks all for just showing up!
That same day, Sunday, in the pre-op/triage clinic I once again observed the most well behaved, respectful, and polite children I have ever seen.
The next day began our marathon of five consecutive days of 12 hours in the OR (14-15 hours for Karen, Mary, & Simone).
Shortly into our marathon many of our team members were stricken by a mystery flu-like illness that ranged from mild nausea all the way to gut wrenching GI unmentionable actions, high fevers, chills, and head to toe muscle aches. Hats off to those super troops whose lunch was 1L IV lactated ringers, Zofran, Tylenol, and Pepto Bismol tabs. During the second quarter our big man at Center was benched by the bug, but creative play of our Power Forwards and Guards (Traci & Kristen) were able to adapt the the game plan for victory!
The post-op clinic was another chance to experience the resiliency of the Ecuadorian spirit. Even in pain, the children maintained a gratefulness and hope that what they went through would help them, their family, and their community at large.
Special thanks to the surgeons: Brian, Nima, Charlie, Ji-Eon, & Shervin. Also to those that kept it all together: Jim, Traci, Kristen, Charlotte, & Barb. Thanks to our hard working Patricio, Jared, & Miriam. Super Special thanks to all the Peace Corp Volunteers for being our handlers and interpreters: Kristen, Lindsey, Jen, Mary, & Sabrina. Team-work is how we did it; great job everybody
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Posted by: Dr. Nima Pahlava
in FOT Blog on Feb 02, 2010
Some final thoughts upon returning from Ecuador. The mission ended on 1/30 with our post operative clinic. There was a great sense of pride amongst the whole team for all that we accomplished. We performed roughly 60 operations while in Quito. The post operative clinic was filled with tears of joy and gratitude. As in previous years, the families of our patients showered us with blessings. Many gifts were given to us by them. All this affection filled my heart with joy and pride. I feel blessed and honored to have helped carry out this mission.
We had a wonderful dinner in Quito Saturday to celebrate our last night together. Our flights back to San Francisco went smoothly. I was lucky enough to be greeted by my wife and two daughters in the airport and we all drove back home to Sacramento together. I was off today and spent a lot of time with my family prior to returning to work tomorrow.
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I just wanted to write and thank all of you for your time, energy, humor, fun, and teamwork on this years trip. These trips are a gift but also a sacrifice of time, money, and leaving friends and family behind. Thank you for choosing to dedicate some of your time to join us and share in the amazing work done on these missions. From the bottom of my heart, from the Faces of Tomorrow board, and the Ecuadorians that were helped...you guys rock!
In all seriousness, we could not have picked a better team this year. One (of the many) most powerful things about these trips are the friendships formed and strengthened during such a life altering journey.
I hope this message finds all of you well and resting after so many long days of work and travels to get us back home. Please know that I look forward to a mini-reunion in the near future. Hugs from San Francisco!
Kristen Kanerva Richards
Be faithful to that which exists within yourself - Andre Gide
The only lasting beauty is the beauty of the heart. -Rumi
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Posted by: Dr. Brian Rubinstein
in FOT Blog on Feb 01, 2010
Mission Accomplished!
We finished our last day of surgery Friday and did 12 cases. The OR crew led by Barb and Mick (couldn't do the mission without them) started packing up the OR. It's an amazing accomplishment to take an empty set of rooms, turn them into working operating rooms and then pack it all up within a day. All of the patients did well during the week without any complications. Except for the one baby at the beginning of the week who scared us all (and did very well and went home a couple of days later), all of the patients did great. It was a huge sense of accomplishment when we finished our last surgery.
The next day was the discharge clinic and this was great to se all of the children and families that we treated. There were lots of hugs and kisses of gratitude. We really helped change a lot of lives.
We all really felt energized and even more dedicated to mission work.
Brian
Director Faces of Tomorrow
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Posted by: Jim Thompson
in FOT Blog on Feb 01, 2010
After completing five intense days of surgery, Saturday is the day of discharge. All of the patients that we have seen during the week return for a final examination, and more importantly, the joyous goodbyes that make it all worth it. It is our last chance to see all of the patients (at least until the next mission in Ecuador.) Many of them return with gifts for the doctors and nurses, (artwork, coffee mugs, jewelry, etc.) as a sign of their appreciation for the work we have done. The doctors also complete their final evaluation of the patients by checking stitches, cleaning wound, and giving post care instructions that we hope the patients will follow.
In total, we performed surgeries on 50 patients, with 60 total surgical procedurs performed. (Some patitents were able to get two procedures done in a single surgery).
In addition, our dental team saw well over 50 patients, peformed 15 filings, 8 extractions, several orthodontal procedures, and they also created and distributed 21 obturators. Obturators are similar to retainers, but plug thrie purpose to plug small holes in the palate that may be inoperable, allowing the patient better speech, as well keeping food or liquids from coming out through the nose.
It was a great close to a very successful trip.
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Lucio Parro is an active 7-year-old boy who just wanted to be like all the other kids in his village. He came to us with his mother and he had already put a lot of thought into his surgery and those who would help him.
16-year-old Oscar reinforced why we are doing mission work. Oscar was born with a cleft lip and a very large cleft palate. His lip was repaired when he was a baby. His mother told us that she had 6 children and her husband had passed away. She was very poor and having Oscar’s palate repaired was never an option.
Thirty-Nine year old Carmen Rivas touched the heart of every member of our team. Carmen had spent her entire life hiding because of her cleft lip.
