Phan Rang, Vietnam 2012

“I can see everything”

Phan Rang, Vietnam-Joanne Peyton, ReSurge volunteer nurse.

This is Lai, he and his father and brother came in last week because Lai suffers of ptosis (a congenital birth defect which causes the eyelid to sag). Lai told us he had waited 29 years to have this surgery and was joyful with the results. He kept repeating, "I can see everything" in Vietnamese and continually thanked us for his surgery. It made me think of a saying I had heard a long time ago, “you can't help everyone, but to that one person you can, it means everything.” I know we made a huge difference in Lai's world today.

Week One in Phan Rang

Phan Rang, Vietnam-Joanne Peyton, ReSurge volunteer nurse.

Pictured here is anesthesiologist Dr. Rosalia Tocco giving two Nepalese nurses (joining our team from ReSurge’s program in Nepal) a talk on the topic of airways. The session began with an airway discussion and already, in a matter of a week, they have quickly become PACU pros. It has been a great pleasure having these nurses join our team. Their enthusiasm is contagious and they don't hesitate to jump in. Each team member has given them a presentation and in the last week we have covered topics such as pain management, complications of anesthesia and setting up a PACU.

My hope is to someday see them working in a recovery room in Kathmandu. I'm proud of ReSurge for playing a part in their professional development and that I was able to participate as well!