The hospital so far this year...

Here is a look at some of the work God has accomplished so far this year. 

This first two individuals are returners from last year…Dyllan underwent surgery to release burn contractures to his neck and side.

This year he has returned for a second surgery to further release the contractures to his neck and his other side.

I know it is difficult to see the difference between last year and this year.  His neck did not heal as quickly or as well as we had hoped the first year.  The surgeons made additional z plasties this year.  A z plasty is a z-shaped incision is made in the scar tissue to release a contracture, or a tightening of the skin which often prevents full range of movement.

Fenohasina was here last year for a VVF repair.  Sadly, the repair failed.  Fenohasina is mentally disabled.  She did not always understand everything we said to her, particularly the medical stuff.  Thankfully, God gave her a great Mama.  She stayed with Fenohasina through both surgeries and recovery periods.  Mama was so helpful to the nurses.  Fenohasina was always sweet and smiling, even after the first surgery failed.  She is pictured here with her mother and two of our ward nurses:

She returned this year for a second surgery.  This one was successful, so far.  Prayers would be very welcome for her continued healing and surgery success.  Here she is, recuperating after being among the first patients to undergo VVF surgery this year:

Miadantsoa is another VVF patient that has fully recovered.  She received surgery in September and participated in the Dress Ceremony in November.  She is so beautiful!

Just like last year, we were counting the milliliters of urine after surgery:

And also celebrating the healing.  This is from the very first dress ceremony we held this year, in October.  Once the ladies meet certain criteria, they are release from the ship's hospital to the OBF Clinic located in town, on the grounds of the local hospital.  This ceremony happened right outside the OBF Clinic.

The OBF Clinic will remain open once we leave.  There is another organization that will take over the running of the clinic.  We are training local nurses and surgeons to staff the clinic.  The nurses spend time on the hospital ward as well as the clinic.  The goal is to turn over complete control of the OBF Clinic to local staff in April.  The patients will be able to have the surgery at the hospital on which grounds the clinic is located.  One of the ship's Capacity Building Projects for this year is the renovation of the hospital's OR Rooms.
The local nurses are fantastic.  Most are learning more quickly than anticipated.  In fact, in January, the OBF Clinic will not need as many ship nurses since quite a few of the local nurses will be able to take patient assignments without a mentor.  Of course, there will still be a ship charge nurse on site until the nurses are fully trained and comfortable.  Two local nurses below are learning the particulars of VVF surgery.

I have worked quite a bit with other specialties so far this year.

This is Mariette.  I had the pleasure of taking care of her for the few days she was on the ship.

The surgeons removed the large lipoma from her back.

After surgery, she wore a pressure garment, a shirt that fit snugly, for a period of time so that the lipoma would not return.  You can see the the shirt peeking out from her regular clothes.  She is pitcured here with her grandchildren:

This is just a sampling of some of the patients that have received care this year.  I am blessed to be his hands and feet to these awesome people.

Where will the ship go next?

And the answer is...

BENIN

For the 2016-2017 field service, we will be going to Benin.

Joe and I are currently committed to Mercy Ships through November 2016.  The plan is for the ship to arrive in Benin in August 2016, so we will have a few months in West Africa.  We look forward to the experience, though we will be sad to leave Madagascar.