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| It's a brand new field service and that means that I get to sign up for my "one per field Service" slot to view a surgery in the OR. I chose a great day as one of the very talented Mercy Ships photographers was present to capture the moment. Usually you can only take a photo as you go in and one wide angle shot inside the operating theatre. So here I am ready to go, all suited up with my hands either by my side or behind my back, staying well clear of the sterile area. |
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Yes-it really is me! FYI-PCG stands for Primary Care Giver i.e Mum. You will see that is my number one job! |
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It is very interesting to observe the dynamics in the OR. Despite the seriousness of what is being done, everyone still manages to have a little fun. Above is Dr. Gary Parker, our next door neighbour and maxillo facial surgeon extraordinaire. Gary and his wife Susan have been with Mercy Ships for almost 25 years, starting as singles, then marrying and have two children, Wesley and Carys. Gary is much revered on board the ship for his humility, his skill and his dedication to the organisation and the poorest of poor. Many have quoted him and perhaps one of his most famous quotes is that "Everyone has the right to look human". |
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After watching Dr Gary work his magic for a while, I moved operating rooms to view the just as talented and dedicated Dr Tertius Venter, plastic surgeon. What I witnessed was one of the most amazing things I have ever seen. The miracle of the human body never fails to impress and under the skillful hands of Tertius and his team a man's life has been restored. A young man who suffered hideous burns and has lived for many years with terrible contractures that rendered his hand and arm almost useless and scarred his face. Above Dr. Venter marks out where he will make his incisions. |
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The first cuts are made to release the contracture inside the man's elbow. |
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Fellow Aussie and OR Nurse, Zoe explains things to me. |
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Watching intently. |
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I have a pretty cast iron stomach for all things morbid and bloody but this made me cringe. Even the seasoned OR nurses had interesting looks on their faces. After the various contractures were cut, Dr. Tertius and Dr. Tina had the dubious task of putting all their strength in releasing the contracture. They pulled back very hard until a rather awful "pop" was audible. |
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The contracture released. The hand once fused to the arm at the wrist is now free! |
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In order to keep the arm straight a metal rod is inserted down the length of the arm from wrist to elbow. The end of the rod is left exposed so it can be removed in the coming weeks. |
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Zoe and I enjoying a lighter moment. |
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Aussie plastic surgeon Tina stitching up some of the smaller incisions. |
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This was awesome. I watched Dr Tertius shave the thinnest sliver of skin from this man's thigh then thread the skin through a special machine. The skin came out of the machine as a mesh, allowing it to spread and cover so much more of the gaping wound. The OR nurses explained to me that over the next few weeks the skin will grown and fill in to fully cover the open wound. It is amazing that God made this wonderful thing we call skin, stretchy and elastic, to protect our bodies. It is amazing that God gave the idea to someone to use skin in such a way. |
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Bandaging up! |
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The "mercy" part of Mercy Ships really shines. Holistic health care-body, mind and spirit is the aim. Before each patient goes into surgery, crew gather around them to lift them up to God and to pray over them. Watching these gifted surgeons is a great privilege and knowing that lives are changed forever through their hands is something special! |
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