Ortho Kids!

We are now in our last week of surgeries here on the Africa Mercy, and I am continuously amazed by how time flies here! I am currently a pediatric orthopedic nurse! This is pretty far from what I do at home, and where my comfort level lies, but I am loving it. These kids come in with various bone deformities, including clubbed feet, knocked knees, and bowed legs. They walk on the sides of their feet, kick a soccer ball with the outside of their foot because for them it is the front of the foot. They limp, some with a very painful gait, and some are still carried by mothers and fathers because of such difficulty walking. From all walks of life, quite literally, they made their way to this floating hospital ship and into my heart. The joy on the ward is indescribable, and really only understood when felt. While we have our fair share of upset, crying children with fear, pain, or itching, but mostly we have a huge amount of happiness! Bubble blowing, playing with balloons, cards, Jenga, dancing, singing, coloring, crafting, and so much giggling happen each day. It is so fun to see the smiles on these kids' faces, and the blessing of love and joy that they pour out to each of us. There is nothing better than cuddles from kids bearing casts on both legs, sitting in your lap playing games and looking up to you with happiness and love in their eyes. And, I must say, nothing cuter than 3-year-olds walking on two casted legs using a tiny walkers for assistance!

This is Judianah, she is 3 years old. She has bowed legs that were made straight on our floating hospital! After a few days of fear, she gained the strength and courage to start walking, and soon she was walking all around the ward, and up and down the corridor with her walker, sharing giggles and cuddles with everyone along the way.

Sandrins is a beautiful 8-year old girl. She is a twin. She had a club foot on the right, but her twin sister did not.  Her mom and her came to the ship, and were given a surgery date! She took a little while to warm up to us at first, and then quickly found her way into our hearts. She loves to have her nails painted, but loves to paint ours even more. She's also very good at placing stickers all over your face. 

This is Priscilla. One of the happiest kids we had on the ward. She is 4 years old, and used to have bowed legs (no more!). She loves to tickle us, erupting in laughter each time we jump. She walked around with her walker and her leg casts, making pit stops with each nurse she found. She slumped across my lap, cuddling and giggling as we blew up balloons and colored together. She repeated English phrases back, yelling out "Mercy Ships!!!" and then letting out a big belly laugh. She certainly spread a whole lot of joy on B ward!

Meet Nestore! He is 14 years old and came in with a club foot on his left foot. The minute he walked through the B ward doors, he won us over. He has very rarely been seen without a smile. His smile is so big, genuine, and joyful, that you cannot help but to smile too! He absolutely radiates joy. One of my first memories of him was right when he was admitted. Most patients here come in a little unsure of this big white hospital ship, all the nurses and doctors (understandably) ... they usually take a little time to acclimate to the ward and the way things work here, as well as warm up to the nurses! Not Nestore. I looked over at him as he sat in his bed facing the girl next to him who had just returned from surgery. He flashed his signature giant smile right at her to cheer her up. I won't forget that moment, or his smile! 

I worked night shifts this weekend. While this generally isn't a favored shift due to the crazy sleep schedule, I found that I was blessed in ways that I wouldn't have been had I worked during the day or evening. One of our lovely 14-year old patients was sitting up in bed in the dark, and my colleague was concerned, so she shone her flashlight to check everything was ok. The patient was sitting in the dark with her Bible about an inch from her face, trying to read in the dark as everyone around her slept. We gave her a flashlight and just relished the moment.  I was taking care of an 8-year old boy who battles with severely itching casts, always in the middle of the night. We were struggling with the best way to help him as he would refuse his medications due to being so upset. After praying for him and rubbing his back with lotion, he began to calm and the tears stopped as he agreed to take medicine and slowly drifted off to sleep. He would not completely fall asleep without us holding his hand and sitting right next to him. This morning, early in the morning, I had to wake many of my young patients for medications and for pre-operative washes, vital signs, etc. Soon the whole ward was awake. 9-year old Bernadette was giggling at me as she made her way on crutches to the bathroom. 14-year old Nestore flashed his giant smile as he sat next to the nurses station with his foot up, then went for his first walk of the day up and down the corridor, bearing weight on his foot as much as tolerable. Two more of my little guys who had been sleeping so hard, woke up, sitting up and playing and giggling, ready for tickle fights at 6:00 in the morning!  What a way to end a shift. More importantly, what a way to begin the day for these amazing kids! If only I could wake up and spread joy so instantly. I am constantly inspired and learning from these kiddos.