Day three in Antigua marked the successful completion of many more surgeries, including a nephrectomy, the removal of a kidney, performed on a sixty-nine year old woman.
Doctors say that the woman originally came to local physicians, complaining of abdominal pain. After an
ultrasound treatment, it was discovered that her pain came from a malignant tumor in her left kidney. The doctors referred her to the MMF group working at the Obras, after deciding that she should have her kidney removed. Today, urologists Drs. Jason and Mark removed the cancerous kidney in a two hour procedure. When family members arrived, they were able to inform them that their loved one was now cancer-free.
After three clean days, many of the team members are beginning to fall ill. Some show signs of a GI sickness (in the breed of the famous Montezuma’s revenge), while others show symptoms similar to the flu. Unsurprisingly, most of the sick team members ate at the same restaurant the night before. On top of all of the illnesses, Dr. Steven fractured his ankle Monday night after tripping on a wet section of the uneven cobblestone streets. He came to work despite his injury, and seemed to be in high spirits.
Even considering all the sicknesses, the group continued to work tirelessly, completing another successful day of surgeries and rounds.
Many of the patients who received care yesterday were sent to Casa de Fe to rest and recuperate before they began their long journey home. Although some patients decided not to stay at the establishment, doctors strongly encouraged them to, so that they would be moments away from medical care in case complications arose. Although the mood was fairly hushed at the Casa—many patients were still in pain from their recent surgeries—spirits were generally high, as recuperating patients watched several DVDs and constructed puzzles to pass the time.
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