One Last Day

Thursday was our final day at the clinic.  The patients had stayed overnight so that Dr. Nelson could take a look and make sure everything was starting to heal properly.  We said we wanted to leave mid morning, but didn't expect that to happen and thought Dr. Nelson would get put to work again or we'd end up with other plans.  Everything went smoothly in the morning and he saw all the post ops in the main gathering room.  They were up bright and early and ready to see him and thank him (again) for everything.  He only operated on maybe 10 of these patients but you would have thought he saved each and every one of them.  They each greeted us holding their hands in prayer and saying something in their native language.  They were so thankful you would have thought I even did the surgery!  Seriously.   

After checking the lens and making sure everything looked alright, they gathered around for a picture.  As soon as that picture session was done, all the patients crowded around Dr. Nelson grabbing his hands and trying to talk to him.  I think a couple were even trying to kiss his feet or bow at his feet.  I'm not quite sure what was going on!  Thankfully, Sr. Innamma was there to control it.  They were moving so fast around him I couldn't even get a picture to turn out.  Just use your imagination.

Our last day at the clinic in pictures:

Dr. Nelson checking post ops

Dr. Nelson and Sr. Innamma with all the patients

Serving lunch at the canteen

Serving (what looks like) mashed potatoes

The staff, Dr. Nelson and I outside the hospital and clinic

This little boy kept giving me a thumbs up!  How cute :)

This post wraps up my visit to the clinic.  I had such an amazing time there and am so glad I decided to go.  It really put things in perspective when you see those less fortunate than us whom are grateful for the small things.  By helping these villagers out and funding their cataract surgery, they can continue to work and provide for their families.  A little goes a long way.  The Sisters go out into the small villages and help those who do not have the funds for medical care in the nearest big city, Hyderabad.  After testing, they bring them to the clinic for surgery.

Cataract surgery for these patients cost less than $50 after donations.  At least three doctors from the area volunteer their time on a weekly basis to operate.  Dr. Nelson goes once a year to take donations from the US, do surgery and see what else they need.  Their goal for 2011 is to raise enough money to get a second microscope.  They have the resources to do more surgery, but need an additional microscope.

If you would like to donate and help them achieve their goal, please send donations to: (the donation info on the website is incorrect as they are in the process of updating it)

Father Ignatius Bridge of Hope for Children

c/o Dr. Gregory Nelson

1022 S. Grove Ave

Barrington, Illinois, USA, 60010

To see more pictures, please click the link below that will take you to my Facebook album of the trip:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2186586&id=47200456&l=1e5cf727db

 The Nelson-Curnyn Free Eye Clinic website:


http://www.nelsoncurnynfreeeyeclinic.com/index.html

The Gift of Sight

The focus of this visit for Dr. Nelson was to see the entire process for these patients from start to finish.  Normally, he stays busy with cataract surgery, but he wanted a more in depth view of how the clinic runs so that he knows what they need and how he can better support it.  The plan for the day was to watch surgery in the morning and then go out to the villages and see where they test the patients prior to bringing them to the clinic.
The room I stayed in was by the OR and by where all the patients were staying the night so therefore, I was up with the rooster.  Not. Joking.  Before getting settled for the night, I hadn't looked around the bathroom and Sister Innamma asked me when I wanted hot water to bathe.  I assumed she had to turn on the hot water, but figured out that she meant a pale of water when I noticed there was no shower in the bathroom.  Luckily, she forgot about the hot water and there was a shower in another room.  I'm such a girl when it comes to that stuff.  I just wasn't mentally prepared to use a bucket of water to bathe.  Is anyone ever prepared for that?

After a piece of bread for breakfast - they don't eat until about 9-10am - I headed up to the OR to observe surgery.  Dr. Nelson and one of the other doctors rotated patients.  It was beneficial for me because I had the chance to ask Dr. Nelson questions while the other was doing the surgery instead of interrupting him in the middle of the procedure.  I watched about 10 cases or so and took plenty of pictures.  Is that even allowed in the US?  I even got a video up close and personal of Dr. Nelson using the phaco machine to remove a cataract.  Anyone interested in seeing it?  It took me awhile to get used to watching eye surgery.  I'm ashamed to admit, but the first time I observed, I had to leave the room.

More pictures of our morning:

A few of the patients staying the night for their surgery on Wednesday

The guy with the camera was everywhere - seriously.  He was a patient assistant, photographer, driver, computer guy....you name it, he did it.

Dr. Nelson in surgery

Proof that I was actually there and can "suit up". (How I Met Your Mother reference..lol)

Patients in post-op.  They stayed the night until they were able to be seen the next day.

After the morning of surgery, the sisters took us into a village where they see patients.  The clinic is free for the patients and most come from very tiny, poor villages.  First, we went to a testing facility that people go to for all medical conditions.  Later, we went to an actual village and met the 'mayor' and some of the residents.  As soon as we got there, they made Dr. Nelson sit down at a table.  Within a few minutes, he had a line of people waiting to see him.  I'm not sure where they all came from, but they wanted to be seen and wanted to be seen NOW.  It was really interesting to see some of the patients who came.  Dr. Nelson was simply just using a flashlight and many had very dense cataracts that we could see.  He pointed out a few other problems they had as well so it was a good learning opportunity for me.

While we were there, one of the other doctors, Dr. Kumar, who volunteers at the clinic, stopped by to see Dr. Nelson.  We ended up at his house for dinner after a tour of the hospital that he runs.  His house was at least an hour from the clinic and he promised to have us back by 8:30 or 9pm.  Surprisingly, we didn't eat until 9pm.  Can't say I didn't see that one coming.  He was very hospitable and his wife cooked a delicious meal for us.  It was the first time I had been in someones house here and served food.  His wife served all of us but didn't eat and just sat at the end of the table until we were done.  This is just their culture, but it's so different than what we are used to.  She was really concerned that we didn't like her food, but really it was 9pm and we still had an hour drive back to the clinic.  If you've been in India, you know that it's not all fun and games driving here in the middle of the night.  I didn't eat much for fear of getting car sick and I'm pretty sure Dr. Nelson was the same way.

The day in pictures:

Dr. Nelson and the Sisters being greeted at the village

The village mayor introducing him

The line is just starting...

Everyone wanted to see the 'celebrity' - and notice the guy with the camera.  He was everywhere we were!

Dr. Nelson, Dr. Kumer, Mrs. Kumar, Sr. Innamma and another Sister (I forgot her name, but she was with us a lot and so sweet)

The Sisters wanted us to take a picture of the goat at one of the villages.

The first village clinic we stopped at

Nelson - Curnyn Free Eye Clinic

Tuesday morning, we made the two hour drive to Jangaon, a tiny village outside of Hyderabad.  I had no idea what to expect so I was pleasantly surprised when we pulled up to Arogyamatha Udumala Hospital. <-- I can't pronounce it either, I copied and pasted from the website!   Many people were waiting outside for Dr. Greg Nelson and Dr. Deepak Edward (an ophthalmologist in Akron, OH who also supports the clinic).  I would say they were also patiently awaiting my arrival...but I'm no doctor!  As soon as we stepped foot outside the car, people started clapping and taking our bags.  I felt like I was traveling with a celebrity!  I was quickly introduced and we were all ushered into the clinic.  A large banner hung on the wall in front of rows of patients waiting to greet the doctors.  See... they are celebrities!

A Hearty Welcome!

Dr. Nelson did not prepare me for this which I sarcastically thanked him for later.  I was clueless as to what was going on.  They always do something the day he arrives to celebrate and thank him for all his hard work to support the clinic.  This time, they draped fresh flower arrangements around our neck and put shawls across our shoulders.  The entire time, I'm thinking that I should be standing in the back because I had done nothing for this clinic yet and didn't deserve to be up there.  Instead, they welcomed me with open arms.  A few patients spoke and Sr. Innamma translated for us.  They were all so thankful for the clinic and the ability to have surgery.  Most of them said that if they can see better, they can work and provide for their families.

After a home cooked lunch, I walked around to see the clinic and then helped measure some patients for surgery.  See... I did get put to work!  I was happy to help :)  We had an oraganized line going...  Dr. Nelson would look at the patient with the slit lamp, Dr. Edward would measure K's and then I did the Ascans.  For those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about, all of these need to be done prior to surgery and I was glad to put my technician skills to work.  (I'm beginning to think that I'm losing them since I haven't worked since...oh... April...May?)  The entire time we were being photographed or filmed - see, he's a celebrity - so I knew it was okay to go picture crazy (I also asked Dr. Nelson just to make sure).  The patients loved being photographed and even the Sisters who worked there would come up to me and ask me to take certain pictures.  I told them to tell the patients that by taking their picture, it will help raise money for the clinic because the website will soon have updated pictures on it.

The testing room - Dr. Nelson examining a patient with the slit lamp.

That evening, after testing a few patients, Dr. Nelson and I observed one of the doctors in the operating room to see how the everything was running. Well, he was doing that - I was just along for observing.  I watched a few cases, then headed out to take some more pictures and get a tour.  By then, it was probably 6 or 7pm and the doctor had just started surgery.  I think he finished around 9 or 10pm - so late!  

For a virtual tour around the clinic:

 

A prepping room - also where I slept.  That bed is as hard as it looks.  Along with the pillow.  Trust me.

The room where they prepped the patients just before taking them into surgery.

Cataract OR

General surgery OR

Arogyamatha Udumala Hospital and Nelson-Curnyn Eye Clinic

Patients waiting to see Dr. Nelson and Dr. Edward

Plaque hanging up outside the clinic. 

The main entrance

Another plaque at the entrance

A view of part of the building

The other side of the building - all lined up waiting for testing and surgery

Dr. Nelson going through donations with Sr. Innamma

Sr Innamma outside the Chapel