Category Archives: Guatemala

The First Day of Surgery in Guatemala

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By Arvind Mohanram, MD, lead anesthesiologist

Yesterday was a day of great anticipation as we successfully completed our first day of surgery! Our team spent the last several months planning and organizing from Denver for this medical mission in Guatemala, a site unknown to us.

Seven children treated
Our team – comprised of nurses, surgical technicians, local staff, ENT surgeons and anesthesiologists – worked as one cohesive unit. We easily maneuvered challenges such as differences in equipment, supplies, medications, communication, flow logistics, and local medical and social culture. By the end of the day, seven children safely received surgical treatment.

One of the more critical patients we treated was a beautiful 7-year-old-girl who had a neck mass that has been growing rapidly over the last year. On her preoperative evaluation, we observed this mass causing compression or shifting of her trachea. This mass was affecting her ability to breathe. Her team (Drs. Phil Tennant, Pam Mudd and Greg Allen and Michelle Flores, RN, and Margaret Luck) easily and skillfully managed her airway and then excised the mass.

Smiles and laughter despite challenges
Despite many challenges, the day passed with relative ease. From our patients to our team and local staff, smiles and laughter dominated the day. I attribute this to our outstanding team composition. Our members have been flexible, understanding, creative, sensitive, and tolerant. Our local hosts have been kind, gracious, and accommodating.

Our patient families have been beyond thankful. I look forward to day two of surgery and beyond.

Read about the team’s travels to Guatemala.

From Colorado to Guatemala: A Successful Travel Day

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By Regina Hoefner-Notz, Clinical Manager, Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)

It was so early on Saturday morning! At 4 a.m. we headed to the airport in the dark. As I gathered with the team on the bus, we were a bit bleary eyed, but filled with excitement mixed with a slight nervousness of the unknown. 

Coming together “for a child’s sake”
Who are these 15 people joining together to create a purpose to help children? The idea of “for a child’s sake”  was carried with us from Children’s Hospital Colorado. We know each other in our day-to-day environment at the hospital, but we were gone now and wouldn’t be back for the rest of the week.

Our bags were lined up, organized and checked off. Then the time came to board the plane, and we were on our way.

Time to think up in the air
As I sat by the window, flying through the dark sky in a hushed plane, I started to see the coming of the day with bright streaks of orange crossing across the horizon. Inch by inch it spread through the clouds. My hopes rose with the sun and I thanked God for the blessing of this opportunity and experience. I am humbled by the talented teammates and the gifts they bring to this mission.

After we landed, we got through customs and I was amazed how our teammate Arvind maneuvered our medications so easily through. I smiled as I watched Kristi guard the microscope with every passage from belt, to cart, to bus, to clinic.

Meeting the team at the surgical center
I was amazed at the overwhelming hospitality of the surgical center staff; they are so welcoming that we don’t even feel like strangers. Our hearts are aligned to do the same work — to care for children.

We set to work and got our spaces ready. On Sunday, we will see almost 80 children with hopeful families. I am excited for a different challenge.

But tonight, the smiles were evident with a team that is starting to bond. We’re starting to see so much more beyond scrubs and masks.

Tired, grateful and excited
Tonight, we smile together and start to unravel the bits and pieces that have brought us all to this moment. I am tired, but grateful.

During the trip, updates will include photos and personal stories from team members. Please stay tuned, and check back often. Subscribe via Facebook or Twitter to get updates.