Surgery: Day One

June 30:

We had an early start with a 45 minute bus ride to Toutanji Hospital outside of Amman. As we entered the surgery area, we had to pass through the waiting room of nervous parents and children.

There were 17 surgeries scheduled this day to be performed by our Operation Smile team of plastic surgeons from Italy, India, USA and Jordan. Among the patients was 13-month old Suliyman, the Syrian boy we introduced you to on screening day. Although he fasted all night in preparation for surgery, he was still smiling and full of life. 13-year old Hanan as we saw during screening was quietly and patiently awaiting her turn. Also there was Sabr, the 10-month old Jordanian boy in need of a bi-lateral cleft and palate. He would only receive the bi-lateral cleft surgery today with the palate as a follow up surgery since he was a bit under weight.

Operation Smile gave me permission to observe in the operating room. When I say observe, I was literally standing next to the operating team during surgery, looking over shoulders and watching them tirelessly perform with amazing precision and professionalism hour after hour. I was honored to be in the same room with them, but mostly humbled by the realization these world class surgeons from the likes of Yale and Harvard where here giving of their own time transforming the lives of less fortunate children.


Baby Suliyman with Mom seeing pediatrician Terry prior to surgery. As I said, non-stop smiles from this little guy.

Precious Suliyman

Me giving Kathy Magee and Dr. Chris some tips on my approach to cleft lip surgery.

Delivering Suliyman to the OR

Our doctors who came all the way from Yale to meet Suliyman

Your $240 at work.

Surgery complete. After a short stint in Post Op, I had the honor of handing this beautiful symbol of everything good in the world back to his tearful and thankful Mom. Nothing in life can prepare you for when you see the surprise, relief and happiness at that moment.

Next up was Sabr, scheduled for the bi-lateral cleft with his Mom. He was quite unhappy about the fact he fasted all night and then ended up having surgery late in the day. I may be limited in cleft palate surgery tips, but I called on my extensive experience as a mother of two boys and here is the result.

Here is Hanan, smiling prior to surgery. When the moment came, she was overwhelmed with emotion and openly sobbing. My heart went out to this beautiful and brave young girl as she solemnly walked into the OR area.  My only consolation was knowing what awaited her in Post Op.

Hanan

A kiss from Mom

One unexpected moment was with Souad, who didn't make it to screening, but heard through her uncle who lives in Italy there were Italian doctors in town to perform surgeries. Her personality was like a ray of sunshine and she left such a lasting impression. Souad's facial deformity is the result of a genetic disorder and she has had 5 previous surgeries. We'll keep you posted on her.