First Surgical Day Begins...
"You have no idea what this means to me. I will be able to run with my children again. I can live without pain. You have all changed my life." - Honduras 2013 Patient, Cristina
Travel team member, Christina Powers, translates a conversation with Operation Walk patient, Cristina, before her surgery yesterday. A packed room of medical professionals, including Cristina's niece, a student volunteering at the hospital, were brought to tears by the conversation. As Cristina paused to take a breath while tears of joy ran down her face she continued, "I have a special place for each of you in my heart. Always. I can't thank you enough. Bless you and all of your families. I love you all."
Yesterday, the Operation Walk Pittsburgh team woke up early, eager to begin their first full surgical day and kicked off cases at 7AM. Throughout the day, all 4 operation rooms ran smoothly resulting in 16 surgeries completed. Sixteen patients received surgery - 3 total hip replacements, 11 total knee replacements, 1 bilateral hip replacement, 1 bilateral knee replacement.
Cristina made it through her total hip replacement with flying colors and is recovering from her surgery well. Stay tuned for updates on Cristina's progress as she works with the physical therapy team to regain her mobility.
The team is all set up for their second full surgical day and cannot wait to Grant the Wish to Walk to 55 patients this week!
To see more pictures and follow the Operation Walk Pittsburgh team's progress, visit: https://www.operationwalkpgh.org/Mission%20trips/honduras-2013.
