SITE SEARCH |
|
provided by google
|
|
 |
Medical Services
CAM ON to Vietnam - A Volunteer's Account
I arrived in Da Nang on Tuesday, August 7 ready for adventure. With three cameras and plenty of film, I accepted my mission.
That was a mere three weeks ago, yet seems like a lifetime. Having skimmed a Vietnamese etiquette book, I immediately began a ridiculous routine of clasping my hands and bowing. Chuckle if you will, but I would relish a reputation as the “too grateful American”. Surely it beats any other stereotypes.
I committed one phrase to memory: “Cam On” which means “Thank You”. For an entire two weeks, I communicated simply by bowing and thanking people. They understood everything I suspect. And I believe I understood them as well.
The first morning I visited Benh Vien Mat, Da Nang Eye Hospital. The post-op ward was packed with patients and their families. Each “bed”-a term I use loosely-was a metal frame with a weak bamboo mat as a mattress. Three or four people lied across one another. Their families were nearby offering support and a welcome breeze from the fans they held. I walked in the sticky and stagnant air through a sea of grateful faces. I was lead to a seventeen year-old boy who received the first cornea transplant of the mission.
Truong Hoa Son developed cornea problems at age nine. Eight years ago his family traveled to Hanoi where he was given a transplant. Two years later his eye rejected the new cornea. The teenager was thrilled to have “new eyes” as a result of OBI. He told me, “I want to say thank you to the doctors. I am looking forward to playing football and reading more books.” His mother, Nguyen Thi Loi, said she could not find proper words to express her gratitude. But I saw the tears as I took the photograph.
Then I came across a bed with three elderly women who appeared like a vision of the Three Graces. Ho Thi Nai (63), Nguyen Thi Cuon (74), and Nguyen Thi Hy (79) all received cataract surgery. These three pals have a new lease on life!
I headed to Benh Vien Hoa Vang to check out the clinic. Endless jade-colored rice paddies reminded me where I was. I smiled. The landscape was more perfect than the postcard I have seen. Sights of crumbling buildings interrupted these lovely vignettes… Poverty beyond belief… The reality of this place was starting to become clear. We drove down the dusty lane toward the clinic. I peeked into doorways to witness people living on dirt floors. The shacks had no roofs or running water. I recall being frustrated this morning with my shower not being warm enough.
I arrived at the clinic. Hoards of patients crowded the waiting area. Then I saw her-an angel I think. She wore a scarf and looked like I remember my Grandma. Although we could not communicate with words, I saw her gratitude and I hope she saw my compassion. Inside, nurses Ann Pennoyer and Sylvia Reimer were checking vital signs. Dr. Jim called me over to see a tooth extraction. Only dentists get excited about that stuff! I snapped a photo and realized that the patient was as excited as Dr. Jim that he was now rid of the painful tooth. Pharmacists John Lynn and Cesar Cruz had their hands full dispensing prescriptions. The clinic ran like clockwork!
My visit to Benh Vien Da Khoa, Da Nang General Hospital was fascinating. I was able to see ENT surgeon Dr. Alex Lozano busy showing the Vietnamese team how to use new ENT tools they received from the Japanese some time ago, but didn't’t know how to use. They seemed ecstatic with their lessons.
In the neurology ward, Dr. Bert Park was performing a “Shunt” surgery on a young boy. I dashed to put scrubs on over my clothes-you know, you can never have enough layers on while in Vietnam in August…. Dressed for the Arctic Circle and toting cameras, I ran to the OR. What I saw there was miraculous. Even without MRI equipment, the Neurology staff can perform intricate procedures.
I checked the Eye Hospital often. Dr. Doug Rampona and Dr. Mark Eanes taught local surgeons to perform a corneal transplant while Nurse Janet Stookey learned to perform a “Block” from the Vietnamese anesthesiologist.
We were all touched by a little girl named Trang. She requires a cornea transplant. Sadly, local equipment did not allow for our team to perform her operation. We are keeping in touch with her family and hope to return next summer with proper tools for her specific need. That will be a happy day indeed!
Chaos and control can co-exist and live quite happily on a medical mission. Da Nang was no exception. Dwight Lohrenz conducted a triumphant symphony played with chopsticks. For part of the mission I felt like “Gidget” soaring through Da Nang on a bicycle taxi peddled by a toothless little man named “Cho”-seeking Diet Coke. But for most of the time, I knew I was just a really blessed photographer. I am overwhelmed by the gentle tenacity of our remarkable team. Local doctors showed us how they do so much with so little. We were humbled indeed. They taught us to “do the impossible with nothing”, as Vietnam War veteran Jack Ernest has said. That gift is priceless.
--Hope Dooner
|
]