The latest news from our Mission in Quito

"It is often the small steps, not the giant leaps, that bring about the most lasting change." - Queen Elizabeth II

Final day of surgeries for the Week Two Team

Today the CAMTA Team will perform four total hip replacements, two pediatric surgeries, and one less invasive pediatric procedure.

Hope future surgery avoided

15-month old Cristel Maria Mendoza Sabando was diagnosed with hip dysplasia.

The procedure she underwent on Friday is called a closed reduction and casting.

Her young age meant doctors were able to manipulate her hip and put it in correct position without having to operate.

Cristel was then fitted with a spica cast to hold her hips in position. She will need to wear that cast for up to 12 weeks.

The hope is when her cast is removed, her hips will function normally and no surgery will be required in the future.

It was a double hip replacement

We told you about 62-year old Clemencia Diolita Ermencia Salazar Espinoza in Thursday's blog and some corrections need to be made to her situation.

Before her surgery with CAMTA, Ermencia had an infection in her left hip, and had several surgeries to deal with the infection. CAMTA surgeons put in a cemented hip with antibiotics, on the left side.

"She has a full perfect hip and no further surgery will be required," said Dr. Tim Kostamo.

Ermencia also had a total right hip replacement on Thursday.

The previous blog post indicated she did not receive a new left hip and would require another surgery.

Ermencia was dressed, up and walking on Friday, and preparing to go home Saturday.

Back to business

Ines Margarita Turrigo Rojas started having problems ten years ago.

The 60-year old operates her own diner and was on her feet all day. Ines said she could not sleep at night because of the pain in her hip.

On Thursday she had a total left hip replacement. Ines said she has waited a long time for this surgery and is very excited and highly motivated to be back on her feet.

Motivated to move

Post surgery, Neli Vincente Folleco Anangono was eager to get out of bed and begin walking.

Not being able to work, and provide for his family has been "very very hard," Vincente said.

His wife Marta Zurita said it will be good for her husband to get back to work, and back to enjoying life.

When asked if there would be dancing once his hip is healed, Vincente smiled and said it's been five years since he last danced and he isn't sure he remembers how.

Sisters changing lives together

Dr. Heather Jackman, pediatric orthopedic surgeon, has volunteered with CAMTA for four medical missions.

After each trip to Quito she would return home to Newfoundland and tell her family the stories of the children and adults whose lives were changed by the surgeries, and the other volunteers she worked with.

Allison Locke, Heather's sister, said it dawned on her that she could participate in the mission even though she isn't in the medical field.

In 2020, Allison joined the mission as a member of the lay team and "absolutely loved it." She was able to observe her sister perform surgery and heard from people on the ward firsthand about the impact on their lives.

Heather said it's wonderful having her sister with her on a mission.

"It's like having your best friend with you", she said. "It's also been great for her to see what I do for work."

CAMTA Faces

Michelle Derbyshire

Pediatric/Adult OR Nurse

Jeff Campbell

Adult Anesthetist

Kathryn Palamarek

Pediatric OR Nurse

Allison Locke

Information Technologist

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Parveen Bhandal

Respiratory Therapist

Megan Cashin

Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon

Michelle Vincent

Lay Person

Krystel Childs

Student Nurse

Anje Genovese

Adult OR Nurse

Aspen Lillywhite

Medical Student

Danielle George

Admin

Saison Demitor

Pediatric LPN / OR Tech

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