Week Two - First day of Surgeries

"Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does." - William James

Jose Manuel Castillo Gudino was back with CAMTA today to meet with Physiotherapist Raj Dhillon.

The 33-year-old had hip replacement surgery last week with CAMTA. He was up and walking following surgery, and his goal is to gain as much mobility as possible. Raj was able to give him exercises to do at home. Before coming to CAMTA for help, Jose Manuel had not been able to walk since he was hit by a bus two years ago.

Day One of surgeries for the Week Two Team

Today the CAMTA Team will perform four hip replacements and two bilateral total hip replacements on adult patients. Resources have been reassigned since flight delays have meant key pediatric surgical staff will arrive in Quito later today. Way to be flexible Team!

All thumbs up and smiles

Emigdio Francisco Onate Medina couldn't stop smiling today.The 60-year old was very ready for his bilateral hip replacement surgery today.

Francisco lost his job in livestock farming because it required him to walk 12 hours a day, and he could only walk a short distance using a walker.

Franciso said he won't return to his previous job on a farm, but does want to work again to support his wife and daughter.

Francisco said his 6-year old daughter told him she is excited to walk and play with him.

He said one day he hopes to start a business with his daughter.

Grateful for her surgery

Elvia Rubi Enriquez Ayala, 41, had bilateral total hip replacement surgery on Friday, under Team One.

It took a little longer to get her up and moving around enough to be able to go home. So she remained under CAMTA's care for a couple of extra days.

Rubi has not been able to walk or sleep at night for the last year because of the pain in her hips. She had a job outside the home working on a potato farm but hasn't worked for five years.

She has three children and is eager to get home to soon again be able to take care of them.

Rubi said she would also like to work on the potato farm again.

Her husband Clever said he's grateful CAMTA could provide this surgery for his wife.

"He is happy again!"

Hugo Bolivar Castro Heredia was very excited for his total left hip replacement surgery today. He was literally smiling all day!

Bolivar, 60, had been living with pain for several years and was barely able to walk. His son Mateo said his father has been angry and depressed over the last several years as his pain became worse. "He is happy again," Mateo said. He smiled as he watched his father walk down the hospital corridor using crutches.

Bolivar lost his job when he could no longer walk because of the pain in his hips.

He is looking forward to working again.

Smiling, Bolivar pointed to the jogging track in the park outside the hospital and said he's "ready to run."

CAMTA Faces

Alex Gessner

Family Physician

David Sommerfreund

Pediatric Anesthetist

Sophia Kostamo

Student

Dave Henderson

Physiotherapist

Tanya Morales

Translator

Lauren Dobson

Pediatric Ward Nurse

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