Travel to Antigua

We all had safe travels to Antigua.

Many of the group members had been on previous trips so they knew where they wanted to have lunch.  While some of us had already arrived at Sky Cafe, we looked below as Susan, Kathleen Sophie, Lizie and Jason arrived.

As you can tell, pink is this years Health Talent shirt color! Kathleen soon found out how bright the sun was!

Then she decided to be creative and make a hat!

In the afternoon, I picked up my passport and some paperwork for a bank.  Karen and I walked to La Merced and she took photos, since it was her first time there.

As we walked back to the hotel, I found a place that it looking for some help but I decided not to apply :)  I would hate to miss seeing the babies next week.

We enjoyed the buffet dinner at the hotel in the evening.

On the morning, Samantha and I will make our way back to Chichi.

Thursday in Montellano

With most of the surgeries completed, there is a little down-time.

Karen shows off her keyboard skills as we cheer her on!

 Dr. Powell gives us a taste of some Billy Joel.

Jose, passes through the dining area and recognizes some of the songs.  Apparently, there is one that is a very popular from a current movie.  Today, is his daughter's birthday so he wanted to call his daughter to listen as Dr. Powell played it again.  His daughter cheered and was very excited with the call.

In the morning, we will all head to Antigua and prepare to complete the week.

Time to Head Back to Chichi

The parents were happy to see Wednesday arrive!  They are ready to return to the much cooler land of Chichicastenango. 

The vans arrived in the early afternoon.  The parents received their discharge instructions, loaded their things in the van, we had one last prayer and they were on their way!

Juan and his parents.  

Estefany and her mom.

Manuel and his parents busting out the door!

Brandon was sleeping and I did not want to wake him.

It was a great week and we are thankful for all of the patients. Everyone did well and there were no problems.  We finished the week with 84 surgeries.

I will see all of the babies and parents on Monday, the 17th.  Lisa will see Katrina on that Thursday.  I will give you an update and new photos at that time.

Tuesday in Montellano

Another group of patients had surgery today..........it was time for our babies to begin to heal.

Brandon and his mom had a good day. He had some swelling but that is normal and will eventually decrease.

Estefany also had a good day. Her mother has not put her pink clothes back on since she still has her IV in.

Juan's dad spent a lot of time with Juan today. They are very happy with the surgery.

Now, Manuel is a different story.......he was irritable and cried most of the day.  His parents struggled with him and I avoided contact to not make things worse. Finally, in the late afternoon, he was tired enough to sleep a little.

Katrina had her hand surgery today and will probably leave tomorrow with the babies!

Monday.....full day of Surgery

A full day of surgery started early. 

The lights in the patient ward usually comes on about 4am in preparation for the day.  The patients shower, put on a gown, have an IV started and then wait for their turn.  The babies have their IVs placed once they are in the surgical room.

This is Manuel and his mom as they wait their turn.  They were the first cast of the morning so they went in about 8am.

I sat with Manuel's mom while Manuel was in surgery.  I let her know what what happening and what to expect when Manuel's surgery was completed.

As soon as he came out, he was placed in her arms.  He was fussy but she knew to expect that.  After about 2 hours, he returned to his bed.  Thank you, Kory for supporting Manuel's surgery!

Juan was super hungry this morning and his mom fed him later than she should have.  Because of this, they had to skip his scheduled surgery and let another baby go before him.

It was traumatic and Juan cried even harder as the morning progressed.

This is Juan with his parents when his surgery was completed.  Danny, we appreciate you sponsoring Juan's surgery!  Thank you!

This is Brandon before his surgery. He was moved up on the list when Juan was bumped.

Brandon came out of surgery doing well.  He did not cry a lot and then was taken to his bed.  Many thanks to Jeanie for supporting Brandon's surgery!

The last baby of our group was Estefany and Donna supported her surgery.  Thank you, Donna!This was the first time all week that I saw Estefany without a pink outfit on! Her mom always has her dressed cute.

It was a long day but everyone did well.  Katrina will have her hand surgery in the morning.

Now it is time for everyone to try to get a good night's rest.  Tomorrow is another day and a very full schedule!

Sunday......................it was a waiting game!

We started out with morning worship with the Montellano church across the street. I was so happy when all of the babies and families appeared!

I meant to show you this photo last night and forgot.  This is Kenia, who has had two lips surgeries.  for some reason, after each surgery, she developed a severe infection.  We were thankful that in February, her stitches did not come out.  She has healed very well and hope to have her palate repaired in February of 2016.

This is Katrina waiting to hear when her hand surgery is scheduled.  If we can get her done early in the week, she may be able to catch a ride with the babies as they return to Chichi.

No surgeries for lips or palates were scheduled for today.  Everyone did what they could, to pass the time and stay out of the heat.  Manuel and his mom, play games on the floor by his bed.

Juan spent most of his day taking naps.

Brandon played with some toys as he stayed in bed.

Estefany and her mom just wanted to get on with the show!  It is very hot here and there was just a short mist of rain last night.  We are hoping to get some more today.

All of the babies will have surgery tomorrow!

Finally off to Montellano!!

It is time for another trip to Montellano!  The babies and families are ready for the afternoon of travel.

This is Jose Saquic and his parents.  He is a patient in the milk program at ASELSI and they provided transportation for two of the families.  This is Carol, the nurse at ASELSI.  She and Juan are having a serious conversation.

This is Manuel and his parents.  He had his lip repaired last year in Guatemala.  This week, we will have his palate repaired.

When we arrived at the coast, we caught up with Lindsey and two more families. These families live near Panajachel and transportation is provided by Solomon's Porch.

This is Brandon and his parents.

This is Estefany with her mom and dad.

This family rode with me to Montellano.  This is Karina with her baby and husband.  She is a patient of Lisa and will have surgery on her hand.  Her husband, Juan Carlos, will watch the little girl when Karina has her surgery. Juan was laughing and joking all of the way to Montellano but for the photo, I got the Guatemalan look :) We stopped for a quick ice cream on the road that everyone enjoyed :)

We will start the consults tonight and see how the surgeries are positioned for the week. Please remember these patients in your thoughts and prayers.