Standing in front of a wall of sutures. It's where you'll find me before each case. Going step by step through the up-coming case in my head, trying to predict exactly which sutures I may need so that I can pull them and have them ready for the nurses to open when I request. Sounds nice right? An entire wall of sutures to choose from. It actually is a perfect illustration of the all too common conundrum encountered in the mission hospital environment. Beyond blessed with abundant donations, yet there I stand before each case going box by box hoping to find a suture that fits the need. There are three things I look for 1) the right type, 2) the right size and 3) the right needle. I have yet to find a suture that fits all three of those criteria. I instead choose for each step a suture that will hold the tissue without hurting it and allow me to perform the task necessary to the best of my ability.
All of that does not take into account the fact that I can count on which ever suture I do end up choosing has a 98% chance of already being expired.
Another example: In preparation for a hernia repair, I peruse through the options for mesh that I can use. The stack of donated mesh options is quite impressive, including a stack of expired meshes for a robotic inguinal hernia repair.... no further explanation needed there!
Another example:
This is a beautiful, and expensive fan that was generously donated to the hospital at the time of construction. Fancy and high tech, not only did it have power switch, but then had a remote to control speed. You'll find one of these in each of the four corners of the hospital. For some time now, multiple of these fans have no longer functioned. They sit there looking pretty, but have ceased to help ventilate the hospital corridors. Nice and incredibly generous as a donation, yet unable to be repaired or parts replaced by a Honduran when broken.
I could expound on the reasons for the above examples. I could also continue on this list, but hope a little slice of reality at the mission hospital has been adequately illustrated. It is a situation in which one acknowledges the blessing of donations, yet simultaneously is incredibly thankful for the creativity and ingenuity we have as humans to adapt what is unusable to once again be made usable. And for the fact that what is physically unusable does not diminish the gospel which can still be shared, and the love which can still be given.
Much Love.
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