Our patients from previous years begin to arrive to greet us anxious to show us the amazing progress they have made. We love to see them and hear the stories of their lives. Jean de Dieu, Alphonse (sends his greetings to Dr. Prem) and Delphine, Shabani and Claudine, and of course Jean Paul and Erneste who have been serving as our interpreters and cheerleaders for the patients. The young patients are frightened before the pending surgery because they have never met anyone who has had such a large cardiac procedure--then they meet Erneste and Jean Paul and it gives them the courage to face the next day with their incredible grace.

The step-down nurses are happy to begin their work. Our first patient has been very patient with us as we snap multiple photographs with his permission. He seems totally at ease with his fame, and fell asleep with his pre-op teaching book and therapeutic pillow in his arms...

Hi from Kigali!

We're the anesthesia crew with Team Heart this year and are totally enjoying our trip to Rwanda! It's been an amazing experience so far getting to know the Team, meeting all the super friendly doctors/nurses/staff at King Faisal, and working with our patients. Even though we can't communicate in English with all of our patients, we can definitely feel a bond with them! The patients have all been very sweet and even the youngest ones (14 years old!) have been really brave and strong heading into heart surgery! Medically, it's been an extraordinary experience as we are seeing patients with cardiac conditions that we would never encounter back in the USA. All the interesting physical exam findings we learned about in medical school really exist! Even though the days have been longer and more tiring than we are used to back at home, it's extremely worth it to be able to give these patients a new lease on life. Learning to practice medicine in a new environment has been both interesting and challenging--it's keeping us on our toes! Anyway, time to head back into the OR-- more to come later!
-Danny, Nelson, Trusha & Joyce

All Systems Go!

Today the stepdown unit is officially open! Our first patient has already made his way across the bridge and though this is certainly an excellent nurse:patient ratio, the nurses are eager for more. We have 8 stepdown nurses this year, a mix of return volunteers and new faces. Orientation to the unit provided the opportunity for everyone to get to know each other and to learn a little bit about the documentation system that we use here, undoubtedly a change for everyone!

The fifth case is wrapping up as I type and this afternoon we have a triple valve case scheduled. A special aspect of this trip is that we have FOUR excellent cardiac surgeons at our disposal and THREE resident surgeons to boot! One of the surgeons new to Team Heart this year, Dr. Chuck Edwards, is a close friend of Chip's from surgery residency. Their bond and comraderie is palpable to all present and they certainly keep us all in stitches with embarassing stories about each other. The real treat, however, is watching them operate together for the first time since they were still wet behind the ears, so to speak. Rumor has it they work together as seamlessly as if residency were just yesterday.

A Note from Bonnie!

Jean de dieu traveled to Kigali for heart surgery from his home in the Nyaruguru district, a mountainous province in the southern-most part of Rwanda. He is 14-year-old school boy, one of 12 children, who suffered from shortness of breath and chest pain so severe that it limited him from joining in normal activities and sports with his siblings and schoolmates. This was caused by a condition called mitral valve regurgitation which is when the heart valve does not close tightly enough preventing the blood from circulating throughout the body the way it should. It results in severe limitations on daily activities, malnutrition and decreased development. Over time, patients are at risk for pulmonary hypertension, atrial fibrillation and ultimately, a decreased life expectancy.

On Monday in the King Faisal Hospital operating theater, the Team Heart and Rwandan surgical team replaced Jean de dieu’s mitral valve with a brand new mechanical one, giving him a second chance at a normal life. In the intensive care unit, Jean de dieu’s smile has invigorated our team. Since he does not speak English, we have to use funny faces and the few words we know in Kinyarwandan to communicate. But honestly, I think the iPod he’s been listening to all morning really put that smile there – the headphones have not left his ears all day. We can thank Chris Dacey, one of our perfusionists for that (thanks Chris!).

We look forward to getting to know Jean de dieu better as he recovers with us and helps to welcome the rest of our patients after their operations.

After a long and tiring day there is no better thank you then a former patient coming by smiling and happy.

Just finished my second day at King Faisal. So far all our patients have done better than expected. I am also starting to think that a normal PA systolic as 80 and the normal body weight as 40kg.

What an amazing team we are this year!

On my way!

Well I'm on the way to Rwanda for my third trip. Made the flight from Raleigh to Newark after a slight delay due to Newark being closed so the giants could land. Not cool!!!! Now that I've moved to Duke I'll be traveling by myself. The only part that concerns me is not having anyone to talk to for 25 hours! Haha but I'll manage somehow! I'm working on a presentation on Cardiac Perfusion to do with the Rwandan team after the OR so I'll have that to keep me occupied.
I'm excited to go back to Kigali with old and new friends! And to be in the sunny 85 degree weather! :-)
Samantha

After a wonderful dinner last night with all of Team Heart, today is our first day in the ICU. I was thankful that Connie and Dominic would be with me :) Dominic and I could barely eat this morning, we were so anxious/excited/nervous. A few potatoes and some fruit and we were off. On the walk to the hospital a little boy came up to me and held my hand to walk with me. My eyes filled with tears and I just had to continue to think about the day ahead and the work we are here to do.

The first patient came out with a team of 10 people waiting! He was quickly extubated and doing great! Dominic's nerves have settled, and now I am anxious as I wait for my patient who is said to be very sick. The Rwandan nurses have been great- the team is great. So happy to be here, and so thankful for the friends I have here and the support from home! Kristin Calheno