Screening and First Day of Surgery

Hi!

Yesterday was our first day of screening. We woke up at about 5:30 am and to get ready for the day. The night before we sorted through our toys and supplies. We brought chalk, toothbrushes, stickers, tons of bubbles, blow up beach balls, and crafty things like string to make bracelets. We had a team breakfast at the hospital at about 7 and then we started after that. It was a little overwhelming at first. This was the first time that I have ever seen a cleft lip in real life. We handed out coloring sheets and crayons to all of the children there for the beginning of the day. We got a picture with the Jollibee mascot that was there to see the children and hand things out to them. (Jollibee is a popular filipino fast food restaurant) All of the children were so shy at first. We tried attracting them by playing with beach balls and bubbles, but they still did not come. Then one boy came and played with us. His name was Lawrence. He ran around playing with and kicking the ball around. He showed the other kids that we weren't some scary people. Other kids then joined and then started playing with us. They especially came to us when we were handing out our toothbrushes and stickers. We handed out many toothbrushes after our Dental Hygiene presentations. Throughout the day we played with the children and made presentations. We stayed at the hospital until about 7:30 to see the admission announcements and had dinner at the hospital too. We headed back to the hotel and we were exhausted from our first full day with screening. It was so exciting to see all of the children.
Today was the first full day of surgery. There were around 30-40 surgeries performed today! YAYYYY! Melanie, Adrienne, and I stayed in Pre-Op for most of the day with the Child Life Specialist, Toni. We had two different rooms set up -one for toddlers and babies and another for adults and older children. Bubbles were a life saver today! Since the patients are not allowed to eat before surgery, the younger ones especially are very very hungry and tired. When they started to cry, bubbles would make them happy and content to stop crying. They are so fascinated by the bubbles. One little boy was so cute and started to smile and laugh when the bubbles would fall on him. Some had to wait very little time in the Pre-Op rooms and some had to wait longer times. We played Jenga with the older children and adults and memory card games. Also, Twister and Hot Potato were other favorites. The babies loved the light up toys and rattles and anything else that made noise. We met many local student nurses that were volunteering at the hospital that were there to translate, play, and help us in any way. A small group of people were screened today too. One of Melanie's favorite children got surgery today, Joshua. She was so excited to see him in Pre-Op and then after his surgery too, There was a 72 year old man here to get surgery too. Many older patients got surgery today. We ate dinner at the hospital and headed back to the hotel at around 8:30.
We are heading to bed soon, it will be another fun and exciting day tomorrow to see all of the children and adults at the hospital awaiting surgery. I cannot even imagine how happy they are.
I learned more Tagalog:
Maganda Ka- You are beautiful
Ano ang pangalan mo? -What is your name?
Ano si...- My name is ...
Ma-hal ki-ta- I love you

-Mary Claire : )