It's hard to believe that today is the day before our last day of this year's successful 4th mission. As I write this, I am wondering where the time has gone. At the end of today we will have discharged a total of 6 patients. We will have all the rest (another 9) on the ward ready to be cared for by our KFH nursing and physician colleagues. All in all, another amazing experience. Words really can't describe the transformation we see in patients and their families from the time we meet preoperatively until the time we say goodbye at the end of the trip. At first, they appear curious about all these 'muzungus' who come from far away to care for them. While they may be slightly fearful of us and their impending surgery (and full of questions just like westerners), they are always hopeful and thankful for providing them with another chance at life. They want what we want--to kick a soccer ball, to play with friends, to return to school or work, to enjoy their loved ones. By the end of our time together, we learn to communicate not only with our broken kinyarwandan but also in ways that words can't describe Claudine's eyes, Sifa's smile, Laurent's quiet presence, Smart's gentle soul and the list goes on. It is almost as if we become a family for a brief time.
Our KFH colleagues have been great. They are patient with our sometimes demanding ways. We have learned from each other. Working together, rounding together and caring for the patients together has been one of the great rewards of this trip (I write this with Dr. Gloria at my side!)
So now, I must return to work. There is a lot to do to get ready for the trip home including celebrating our successes tomorrow night. Good bye for now. I pray the snow is gone when I get home.
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