September

Here is a recap of all the incredible things that have happened in the month of September! It's not only important to give testimony to some of the miracles that have happened here but I also want all of you who have sacrificed so much for me both financially and in prayer to see where your support has gone.  I wish I could bring each of you here individually, show you around the ship, take you to Deck 7 where our patients get to play and breathe fresh air and teach you all the malagasy words I have been learning!

Fast Facts on September 2, 193 dental procedures were completed Plastics, Maxillofacial and General Surgery screenings started 129 patients recieved free surgeries that were life changing and in some cases life saving procedures 88 cases of club feet were treated using the Ponsetti method Clubfoot and Intensive Ponsetti method training for Malagasy health workers held Essential Surgical Skills course held for Malagasy health workers in the capital, Tana The Obstetric Fistula clinic opened 2 World Health Organization Checklist classes held for Malagasy health workers  
Screening for plastics was held and surgeries have started!  I currently work in the plastics/ortho ward (A ward) at the moment and I cannot even begin to tell you how quickly I fell in love with plastics patients.  We have had numerous patients with burns to their necks, faces, arms etc. that we have been able to graft and release their contractures.  Contractures that have created intense shame and the inability to perform simple day to day tasks.  Many of our patients walk onto the ward wearing clothing or scarves to hide their burns and my heart breaks at their shame and fear.  I want nothing more than for them to leave this ship knowing they are truly loved and that their burns are not ones of shame but scars of survival.       

In addition to plastics, A ward has had its fair share of general surgery patients.  This included a lot of hernias, circumcisions and benign tumor removals.  These surgeries are generally quicker and less involved but nonetheless have powerful, life changing outcomes.  Large hernias and benign tumors can impede every day life in a significant way in developing countries.  The inability to remove or surgically fix these problems can lead to multiple negative effects including public shame, isolation, and the inability to work which can thrust an entire family into even further poverty.  Some of my favorite, impactful patients were here only a short while...

Meet Mariette.

Man was this woman incredible.  She came to our gangway with a large lipoma gracing her back.  If ever I needed a smile or an encouragement during a stressful shift, she would be who I'd turn to.  It's incredible that despite the communication barrier, love didn't need a common language.  With a reassuring squeeze of my hand or giving me a huge smile that would light up the ward, she never ceased to remind me why I've left so many I love.  She was the reason.  She was so deserving of this chance to receive free surgery.  Many would see her as the lucky one, yet I saw myself as the one receiving so much blessing from her.  

Mariette rejoining her family, lipoma free!

The Ponsetti clinic opened!  The Ponsetti method is a non surgical approach to managing and correcting congenital club foot.  By creating long leg plaster molds we can correct club feet in a slow, non surgical manner.  We are not only treating patients with the Ponsetti method but we are educating Malagasy health care workers so that they can carry on the Ponsetti clinic long after we sail away.

This is only a small glimpse of the life change that is happening on the ship and I am so very blessed to be a part of it. 

We do not want merely to see beauty, We want to be united with the beauty.   To pass into it. To become part of it.  -C.S. Lewis