Day Two (I Think)

When I arrived at the Buenos Aires airport, they opened my suitcase and saw 28 pounds of Hershey Kisses. He had no idea what they were, had a peculiar look. I told him they were chocolate, he cautiously opened one, slicing it up like a fine piece of steak, then moved around most of the kisses, he didn’t smile, so I took that as my cue to leave.

Wow, not sure where to start. Got to the airport in Paraguay and was greeted by the Buzo family (Marian our foreign exchange student from 1995 and now the coordinator of Op Smile) Then a short drive to the hotel with Marian’s family, others went in a van. We got a welcome package with a Operation Smile t-shirt that we will wear on day one. Off to our room that I will share with Dr. Peet, the medical director from Billings, Montana. We got lucky and have two separate bedrooms, each with a shower. My window air conditioner is about 8 feet high and not very cold. No control knobs, good thing I have my small tool, aka Leatherman. I jumped on the bed, it was set to fan, used my tool to changed it to a/c, we are in business. To bed at 1am, slept like a log, up at 6am
Crawled out of bed at 615, to breakfast at 630, time for a cup of coffee, fresh juice, a piece of pineapple and out the door. Bus to the military hospital where we were greated by the Paraguay military at the front gate. For those that don’t know, this is an old military hospital that is not used. It is cleaned twice a year for Operation Smile.
Yesterday it was cool 47 degrees or around 117!!! So here I am at the hospital in long pants (jeans) and a T-shirt (Dr. Peet said we shouldn’t wear shorts). At 730, I was dripping wet. It’s now a little after 8, and I’m using my new laptop (Thanks to my wife), sitting outside in a very cool courtyard in a shaded area. From what I heard, today is screening day with over 300 to patients to be evaluated, for 125 surgeries. Yesterday they were screened briefly by the Paraguan Doctors, if there we any medical issues (Flu symptoms etc) they were sent to the local hospital. Upon our arrival there were approximately 200 families sitting in a grassy area in lawn chairs, some arrived yesterday. If they travelled, they were put up overnight in the military barracks with 70 small bunk beds lined up in two units. I went over there at 6pm to see them making supper for them in a huge pot. The head of the military was the first to try the meal, with his approval, two volunteers took the pot to where the families were staying.















Earlier in the day I was carrying a large trunk with medical records and had my camera in my front pocket. Broke the darn screen, will improvise and use my camera phone. Then Marian came to my rescue and gave me her camera so I’m back in business.
I first started to assist setting up the OR, which is fine with me it’s the only area that has A/C. They had some metal stands but the tops were missing. No problem, Paraguay volunteers are cutting heavy cardboard to serve the same purpose. After my short stint in the OR (an hour), I went to the second floor to set up pre & post Op. Every room needs cleaned as well as two nurses stations. I stocked the cabinets with medical supplies, lining some of the shelves with cardboard that I cut with my Leatherman. I went downstairs and saw the hallway (about 50 yards long), lined both sides with patients . Some were breastfeeding, others were holding loved ones in their arms, each with a different deformity. Words cannot express how I felt, I wanted to take a picture and share with you, but …. I will never forget, enough said, I’m getting choked up. The families went down each hall, stopping in special rooms set up, one for medical records, one for a picture, vital signs taken, meeting with the surgeons etc. Amazing how the process works. One more day of screening, then on Saturday, the families are called in, one by one to see if they were selected. It’s a pretty straight forward process for selection.

I went back up stairs to clean and put on some latex gloves. After about 15 minutes, your hands are so full of moisture from the heat, the gloves gotta come off. Did I mention that it’s hot here!!! Marian came to visit and hooked me up with two pedestal fans, Yippie!! I am so glad I brought my Leatherman (a small multiple purpose tool), I used it more in one day here that I ever did at home in 5 years. I now am proudly wearing it on my belt.


Typical post op room.

















One of the student volunteers dressed up, he was great with the kids












Another visit from Marian around lunch, we went to the cafeteria. Yep you guessed it still hot. We packed up our lunch and ate in the OR.

My day started at 6am, got back here a little before 7pm, some were going out to dinner, not me. I’m staying back and relaxing. A one hour massage is $12, I might have to get one every day.

All is well, life is good – enjoy it. We are very lucky!!!