About two weeks ago I arrived home from being in China for ten days with a medical team from Geisinger Medical Center. I had been assisting my friend Dr. Erica McElroy for the previous several months in preparing for our team to go to Maria’s Big House of Hope in Luoyang China, which is home to 140 medical needs orphans.
To see the seemingly unending list of supplies that we had to gather for the months prior to the trip being put to use at Maria’s was a huge blessing for me, seeing all the work paying off in such a big way. We had spent long hours making lists of the supplies necessary for surgery and post-op care, contacting our donors who generously gave us what was needed, and finally after some overwhelming moments when it seemed like it was impossible that we would really have all we needed, we found ourselves in the basement with a floor covered in about twenty-five suitcases and enough supplies to fill every last inch of space, all necessary items in hand. About thirty hours later, after a three hour drive to Newark, a thirteen hour flight to Beijing, and hour and half drive to Luoyang, and a short drive to Maria’s, we made it- all of us and all forty-four pieces of luggage, ready to unpack and complete the mission.
Neurosurgeon Dr. Amir Kershenovich and plastic surgeon Dr. Joseph DeSantis along with the team of 21 medical staff successfully completed a total of 15 surgeries for children with hydrocephalous , myelomeningoceles (MMCs), and cleft lips and palates. The first of our four days of surgery was Mother’s Day, and that had a really special meaning for all of us who were there because we were aware that there are many mothers who at that moment had no idea that on this day they were receiving one of the most amazing gifts a mom could ask for- healing for her child. It was one of the most fulfilling sights to see each baby as they came out of surgery, knowing they were on their way to healing and becoming a part of a family.
One of the best aspects of the trip for me was getting to experience life in the OR and the recovery room. I gleaned so much just being there, listening to the discussions between the surgeons, doctors, and nurses. The nurses, excited that I want to be a nurse myself, readily took me under their wings and allowed me to help them with post-op care for the babies, and explained to me the basics of everything and how it all works. Tara, one nurse educators at Geisinger even wanted to show me how put in an IV and wanted me to practice on her. I was nervous because I didn’t want to butcher her, but she insisted so I took up the opportunity and twice I got the needle in the vein, although it didn’t stay in as I was advancing the needle. I was so thankful for Tara and that she was so kind to teach me, although now I’m really anxious for more practice and to perfect this skill!
This experience was a big confirmation for me in deciding that I want be a nurse, and a time that I will always look back on with great memories. If I could describe this awesome team from Geisinger plus the staff at Maria’s in two words, it would be talented and funny! Amidst the seriousness of caring for these little ones in critical condition, this team had a way of keeping the humor coming and many of us unable to stop laughing! Above all, though, every person on this team was devoted to caring for these children with the best of their ability, the compassion in them clearly coming forth as they willingly came to be the healing hands and feet of Jesus to these precious children of His. What an honor it is to be a part of the redeeming work that He is doing all over His creation!
Below are pictures of Jillian and Gabriel, two of the 15 babies who received surgery!
