Surgery Complete Team Effort!

Yesterday was a long day with the last two patients rolling out of theater, one returning for exploratory for bleeding, but now doing well. This week has been heroic effort by the theater (nursing, perfusion anesthesia, surgery) and ICU team, working long-long hours, but as a finely tuned machine. It is hard to leave the others also desperate for surgery here......but we are happy the Spokane team will be here in two months.

Morning rounds, pictured here, with Team Heart began in ICU and illustrates the strong sense of working together. Our quiet warrior, Dr. David Morrison has been phenomenal, although, he is not concerned with titles here. He is so quiet is is easy to take him for granted....he does everything needed before it is needed and works well with everyone. To say we could not do this without him is trite--there is no way! He works well with the nurses and listens to their concerns and values the care they provide. If David is ever irritated , you have to work hard to find out. We have come to love and appreciate the calm and thorough way he cares for each patient. He has has a strong team, Jabaris (we miss him) Dimitrios, Maurice (Rwanda) and Gita.

Thank Goodness Bobby Oakes was here doing everything it takes. He stayed over in ICU when needed for long hours and we have to credit our good fortune not only for his skill in theater--but his willingness to do what ever it takes to provide the best care. He should be landing in US about now, waiting to connect to Lincoln. He had the ultimate compliment from the the theater nurses who all three wanted to scrub with him.

Step-down is full and overflowing with 12 of 16 patients moved over and now have a chance now to move forward in their life. Hopefully Sueellen will have a long newsy entry today....I love watching the patients support each other, each clutching the bright red Shumsky Therapeutic pillow, as they walk and begin rehab.

A surprise visit this morning is Emmanuel Nteziryayo. He had an email from Ashley we were here, so he came to visit for his post op echo and he looks fantastic. Emmanuel had a pericardial stripping two years ago, days from certain death. He is in driving school currently, and hopes to become a taxi driver. I hope Taufiek sees this, as he sends his greetings to the team not here on this trip! Just another reinforcement that the patients return to productive members of their community and again give back.