Ganzhou City, China 2006 Surgical Trip

Li Fa and Jian Xiu Soon to Leave Hospital

  Li Fa and Jian Xiu Soon to Leave Hospital 
  Originally uploaded by interplast.

Most cleft lip repair cases are released the next day. Jian Xiu's was no exception. While she still had a mild headache and sore mouth (and understandably did not feel like smiling), she had been examined by the Alice and Simone and could go home.

It was sad for us to see Li Fa and Jian Xiu leave. However, Li Fa invited us to come and visit them in their village. We hope to see them again within the next year to see how life will have changed for Jian Xiu. Li Fa has told us how the children at school were cruel to her and how it broke his heart to see his daughter hurt by their remarks.

It will also be wonderful to see Li Fa's rice farm and home. Sixty-one-year-old Li Fa recently built a small new home for his wife, 87-year-old mother and Jian Xiu--again for Jian Xiu.  Their old home had been too far from the village school, so kind Li Fa worked very hard and moved his family closer to the school for Jian Xiu.

Interplast is thankful that it could help fulfill Li Fa's dream for a better life for his beloved adopted daughter. It was all possible because of the great generosity of our local hosts, Interplast's devoted medical volunteers and especially the trip's sponsor, Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Jian Xiu and Li Fa

Jian Xiu and Li Fa
Originally uploaded by interplast.

The Next Day

The Next Day
Originally uploaded by interplast.

Simone and Alice check on Jian Xiu.

Ba Ba Watches Over His Adopted Daughter

Ba Ba Watches Over His Adopted Daughter
Originally uploaded by interplast.

To the Children's Ward

To the Children's Ward
Originally uploaded by interplast.

Simone, Li Fa and a local nurse help transport Jian Xiu to the children's ward after surgery.

Li Fa Continues to Comfort Jian Xiu

  Li Fa Continues to Comfort Jian Xiu 
  Originally uploaded by interplast.

What the lens does not show you are the tears on Li Fa's face. He was so happy and thankful that in uncharacteristic fashion, a small trickle of tears streamed down his face as he talked with us in the recovery room and comforted his beloved daughter. Li Fa's eyes were not the only ones teary, as those of us shared this precious moment with this very kind man.

Ba Ba Comforts his Sleeping Child

Ba Ba Comforts his Sleeping Child
Originally uploaded by interplast.

Li Fa, Jian Xiu's adopted father (Ba Ba in Mandarin), comforts sleeping Jian Xiu.

Li Fa Pleased with Results

Li Fa Pleased with Results
Originally uploaded by interplast.

Li Fa gives the doctors a thumbs up, after seeing Jian Xiu's repaired lip. Volunteer recovery room nurse Dee Dee Moll looks on.

Leaving the OR

Leaving the operating room
Originally uploaded by interplast.

Jian Xiu, still asleep, leaves the operating room with a repaired lip.

Sleeping Peacefully, Jian Xiu with Lip Repaired

Sleeping Peacefully, Jian Xiu with Lip Repaired
Originally uploaded by interplast.

Simone Operates, Local Doctors Observe

Simone Operates, Local Doctors Observe
Originally uploaded by interplast.

Simone begins Jian Xiu's operation while local doctors observe. Simone is assisted by local scrub nurse Sunny.

Jian Xiu Before

Jian Xiu Before
Originally uploaded by interplast.

A view of Jian Xiu's mouth before surgery.

A Child's Eyes

A Child's Eyes
Originally uploaded by interplast.

Jian Xiu's eyes show how she must be feeling, although she continues to be courageous.

Continuing to be Brave

Continuing to be Brave
Originally uploaded by interplast.

Volunteer anesthesiologist Stan, a native of Beijing, comforts Jian Xiu and tells her that they are going to give her some drugs so that she will fall asleep and not feel the surgery.

Nervous, but Stoic

Nervous, but Stoic
Originally uploaded by interplast.

Seated on the operating table, Jian Xiu receives comforting words from the local nurse and Simone, the volunteer plastic surgeon who will perform the surgery.

Jian Xiu Goes for Surgery

Jian Xiu Goes for Surgery
Originally uploaded by interplast.

Jian Xiu is ushered into the operating room by a local nurse.

Jian Xiu Smiling, Her Surgery Follows

Jian Xiu Smiling, Her Surgery Follows
Originally uploaded by interplast.

From earlier posts, you may remember Jian Xiu, an 11-year-old who was abandoned at birth because of her cleft but adopted by Li Fa and his wife, a kind couple from a neighboring village. The next dozen or so posts capture her surgery process. Little text will accompany these fabulous photos from Aaron Deemer, as his images are worth more than a thousand words.

Still Waiting...

Still Waiting
Originally uploaded by interplast.

While many cleft operations take only a couple of hours, it can feel like eternity for a parent.

Parents Waiting

Waiting
Originally uploaded by interplast.

Waiting while your child is in surgery is difficult enough when you are in familiar surroundings with familiar doctors. Craving a better life for their children, these parents courageously entrust us, total strangers, with their most valued treasure, their children---and then wait…

Thankful for Ronald McDonald House Charities' Support

Jian Xiu Coloring
Originally uploaded by interplast.

Over the past six years, RMHC has granted more than $3 million to sponsor Interplast trips and training for local doctors to provide continuing care to these children. These donations have provided surgeries for more than 8,000 children.

Waiting Easier Thanks to RMHC

RMHC Coloring Books
Originally uploaded by interplast.

Waiting for surgery can be difficult. For the children, it has been made a little easier because Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC), our trip sponsor, sends along crayons and sheets to color to take their minds off of their upcoming operations.

Thinking of Dusty

I sadly realize that I do not have many good photos of Dusty; as an operating room nurse, she always had on her mask and was busily setting up the operating room on clinic day. A very experienced nurse, Dusty always has such a serene, quiet and peaceful presence. Admirably she has this manner despite the fact that her son left for Iraq the same day that she and the team left for China. Our thoughts are with her, her son and their family.

Ganzhou City Surgical Team: The Experience of 127 Interplast Trips

The Interplast Team
Originally uploaded by interplast.

The banquet was graciously hosted by Ganzhou City’s vice mayor. The Interplast team and our host post for a post-dinner photo. At dinner one night, the team calculated how many Interplast trips they had been on collectively. There are 127 Interplast trips amongst this very experienced and professional team.

Welcome Banquet

Welcome Banquet
Originally uploaded by interplast.

No Chinese welcome is complete without a banquet. Here Elaine Du and Dusty Indman, volunteer nurse from Santa Cruz, California, enjoy some of the glorious food served.

Yuan: Bringing People Together

  Another Yuan 
  Originally uploaded by interplast.

Bill Chiang, Interplast’s volunteer liaison in China, believes that “yuan” helped bring this team together to help those in need in Ganzhou City and its surrounding areas. As an explanation, he shared with me the following. “There are certain words that are unique to each culture and therefore impossible to translate. For example, the phrase ‘to be or not to be’ has yet to find its Chinese equivalent. The word ‘yuan’ is one of these words. ‘Yuan’ is part destiny, part karma and part fate; it describes the connection between people or between people and the events of their lives that are to be treasured forever. ‘Yuan’ is one of those bedrock words in the Chinese language that defines certain immutable aspects of the Chinese culture and civilization. It is not the same as Yuan, the Chinese currency unit, though that is always treasured. An ancient Chinese poem reads You Yuan qian li lai xian hui. Wu Yuan dui mien bu xian pon. Translated it means: if there is ‘yuan,’ you are a thousand miles apart but you will meet. If there is no ‘yuan,’ you are face-to-face yet you will miss each other.” Interplast is very thankful for the “yuan” that brought us together with Bill. Here is Bill, trying to keep one of our first patients smiling. We went to visit her at her village a couple of days after surgery. More on the Wu baby will follow.

Jian Xiu Loved by Adopted Family

  Jian Xiu Loved by Adopted Family 
  Originally uploaded by interplast.

Talking with Li Fa and seeing Jian Xiu, you know she is in good hands. He is a very kind man who loves Jian Xiu very much. Li Fa told us that he was very grateful that his daughter would have a chance for a better life after her lip is repaired.

Clinic Day, the Most Hectic

  Clinic Day, the Most Hectic 
  Originally uploaded by interplast.

Clinic day, when Interplast volunteer medical professionals evaluate patients to see if they are healthy enough for surgery, is usually the most hectic day of an Interplast trip.

Jian Xiu's Fate Was Changed Forever

  Jian Xiu's Fate Was Changed Forever 
  Originally uploaded by interplast.

Simone and Duke also talk to and examine Jian Xiu while her father, Li Fa, looks on. Behind every face is an interesting story, but hers was one of the most compelling of the day. Eleven years ago, Li Fa attended the market in a neighboring village. At the market, news spread that a two-day old infant was abandoned in the restroom and that the child had a terrible deformity. Li Fa went to learn more and saw the baby. He immediately found his wife and asked if they could bring her home and raise her as their daughter. The couple already had a 16-year-old son. Li Fa’s wife agreed and Jian Xiu’s fate was changed forever.

Richard Gillerman Examining Jian Xiu

Richard Gillerman Examining Jian Xiu
Originally uploaded by interplast.

Richard Gillerman examines 11-year old Jian Xiu to make sure she is healthy enough to undergo anesthesia and surgery.

Richard Gillerman: Kinder and More Humorous Than Dr. Phil

Richard Gillerman (in the middle)
Originally uploaded by interplast.

Interplast’s Ganzhou City team is led by Dr. Richard Gillerman (center), anesthesiologist from Rhode Island. In addition to his medical responsibilities on the trip, Richard works to build a cohesive team that works well together inside and outside the hospital. He’s great at it and has lead many teams for Interplast. Some commented that he looks a bit like Dr. Phil---and while they both share some motivational skills and the same hair, Richard’s style is not combative and he is much more kind and humorous, leading with his wealth of experience and compassion.

Anesthesiologist Mike Beach Saying "Ahhhhhh"

Mike Beach Saying "Ahhhhhh"
Originally uploaded by interplast.

Also from Dartmouth is Dr. Mike Beach, Interplast volunteer anesthesiologist. Mike’s a veteran with Interplast, serving on trips for years. He was in Ecuador in February as a visiting educator for Interplast’s first anesthesia conference for its partner anesthesiologists throughout Latin America. Interplast’s focus is education and empowerment so that eventually surgeries can continue year-round and for generations to come.

Former Interplast Webster Fellow Simone Topal

Former Webster Fellow Simone Topal
Originally uploaded by interplast.

Former Interplast Webster Fellow Dr. Simone Topal currently is a plastic surgeon at Dartmouth in Hanover, New Hampshire, but still volunteers for Interplast every year. Her beautiful smile in this photo and many others shows how much she enjoys this work, being able to provide free reconstructive surgery for those who suffer from a congenital deformity or disabling injury, such as a cleft lip or burn. It is her passion and she is a masterful surgeon.

Duke Hagerty: Surgeon and Storyteller

Duke at Clinic Day
Originally uploaded by interplast.

Dr. Duke Hagerty (center), volunteer plastic surgeon, is from Charleston, South Carolina. This is his second Interplast trip and we hope to see him on many more. He is an excellent surgeon, a very compassionate Southern gentleman and a colorful storyteller. If you ever have the pleasure of meeting him, ask him about his childhood monkey named Harry.

Aaron Deemer, Photographer

Kids/Patients Waiting To Be Seen
Originally uploaded by interplast.

Nearly 100 children patiently awaited their turn to be evaluated during clinic. I was very thankful to freelance photographer from Beijing, Aaron Deemer; he captured many brilliant images, including this one. Not only was he a fabulous photographer, he was a great addition to the team.

Stan Lei: Anesthesiologist, Translator and Historian

Stan Wearing His Anesthesiologist Hat
Originally uploaded by interplast.

Not only is Stan Lei a wonderful anesthesiologist and Mandarin speaker, he has a wealth of knowledge about Chinese history, telling us stories about the towns and villages from where the patients came. For example, many of the patients came from Rui Jin, the historical base for Mao’s Red Army.

Stan Lei: Comforting and Caring Anesthesiologist

Stan Lei Screening A Patient
Originally uploaded by interplast.

Stan Lei, volunteer anesthesiologist from Lake Oswego (near Portland), Oregon, grew up in Beijing. It was wonderful having an additional Mandarin speaker on the trip. He was invaluable in communicating with parents and comforting children with his calm, caring manner.

So Hard To Turn Away Anemic Patients

Too Anemic For Surgery
Originally uploaded by interplast.

Some of the faces were familiar, as this is Interplast’s second trip to Ganzhou City. This little boy from the Xiao family had his cleft lip repaired by Interplast in 2005 and had returned to have his cleft palate repaired. Unfortunately, he had a low hemoglobin count and it would not be safe to operate. Interplast gave his parents some iron tablets to help with his anemia, with the hope that he will be healthy enough for palate surgery next year.

Personally, I was sad to learn that this child would not be coming back for surgery later in the week. When reviewing his chart Monday evening after all the patients had gone, I realized that his family name, Xiao, was the same Chinese character of my own son’s family name, Hsiao. It would have been nice to talk further, although I know Hsiao/Xiao is a common name in China.

Clinic Day Screening

Clinic Day Screening
Originally uploaded by interplast.

More than 90 families came to see if their child would have the chance to receive free reconstructive surgery for their cleft lips or palates. At the head of the table is Elaine Du, our translator; she has returned to China to help those families who have no where else to turn. Elaine grew up in China and now works as a nurse in Phoenix.

From Drama to Medicine

Examining a Patient on Clinic Day
Originally uploaded by interplast.

Dr. Alice Truscott, Interplast volunteer pediatrician from Berkeley, was in show business before becoming a pediatrician. She was a stage actor and in the movie “Birdie,” with Nicholas Cage, as well as a producer, director and screenwriter. In her early 40s, she decided that she wanted to be a doctor and went to medical school. While Alice does not act now, her drama background is helpful when seeing children.

Ingrid, Elaine and Yan Chun Dai

Ingrid, Elaine and Yan Chun Dai
Originally uploaded by interplast.

Listening intently at the meeting are: Ingrid Crocco, volunteer Interplast head nurse from Yale; Elaine Du, volunteer Interplast translator and also a nurse from Phoenix: and Yan Chun Dai, provincial representative of the People’s Congress.

Bill Chiang: Insightful and Helpful

Bill Chiang and Chinese Officials
Originally uploaded by interplast.

Our work in Ganzhou City began with a meeting with our hosts from the CPWF, the Ganzhou City hospital and provincial representatives. Bill Chiang (in purple) is Interplast’s liaison in China and our trip coordinator/translator. As a volunteer, he devotes so much of his time helping Interplast and other medical groups make key connections with Chinese officials so that we all may work efficiently and effectively to help as many children in need as possible. Bill has been extremely insightful about working in China and very helpful to Interplast.

Warm Welcome by China Population Welfare Foundation (CPWF)

Warm Welcome by CPWF
Originally uploaded by interplast.

Interplast received a warm welcome when we reached the Pearl Hotel in Ganzhou City, an industrial city in Jiangxi, one of the poorest provinces in China. Many of our hosts from the China Population Welfare Foundation (CPWF), an important non-governmental organization (NGO) in the People’s Republic of China, greeted us upon arrival.

Interplast and HuaQiao

Frank and Nancy Yih, formerly of Los Altos, California and now in Shanghai, opened their home to us on our layover in Shanghai. Frank Yih is the president of the the HuaQiao Foundation, a grassroots nonprofit based in San Francisco and Shanghai. Their help has been instrumental to Interplast’s work in China.

Blogging From Ganzhou City, China

  Sara And Friends 
  Originally uploaded by interplast.

I am Sara Anderson-Hsiao, communications director for Interplast, with a palate patient from Cao Lanh, Vietnam who loved to run and give hugs to the team. I have just left this sweet 5-year-old and the Interplast surgical team in Cao Lanh to join another team headed to Ganzhou City, China. Interplast is deeply grateful to the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) for sponsoring the Ganzhou City trip. Interplast depends on generous donors like RMHC and volunteers who give their time to provide life-changing surgeries to children in developing countries.