Trista learning more than she every could have anticiapted

 This week was certainly a turning point for me, especially when it comes to my internship.  It's not that I hadn't learned and gained from the past two weeks at Maitland Cottage, but the experiences I have had in the past few days  have served to enlighten me more than ever before.    This week, I was finally able to experience life in the OR and all of the protocol and procedures that come with it.  Yesterday, in particular, I witnessed rods be removed from a boy's healed femur fracture and an osteotomy performed on a child's heel bone so that he could attain a more normal range of foot flexion.  The procedures themselves were incredibly interesting, but it was the experience surrounding the patients themselves that truly impacted me.  The first operation, for instance, was performed on a boy from Hanover Park, a suburb of Cape Town.  During the procedure, I heard the scrub nurse talk of how sweet the boy was and the difficulties he faces in his home life.  At one point, she stated "This child doesn't stand a chance" and began to cry.  Although I don't know the specifics of this particular boy's situation, I do know that the majority of the children at Maitland are from various Townships throughout Cape Town.  Some of them have been hospitalized due to birth defects, and some are there because of incidents that directly result from the violence that occurs within these townships.  It struck me that, from an outside perspective, the nurse was right. These children, and this little boy, didn't have much of a chance of rising above their current socioeconomic status, and many believed them to be doomed in life before they've barely even had a chance to start it.  Where I had previously been amazed at the incredible work that the doctors at Maitland do and the life changing opportunities they are able to provide, this appreciation was now overshadowed by the unfortunate realization that the challenges that these kids face are far from over when they return home.   I'm still incredibly appreciative of the work that is done by these doctors on a daily basis. However, I now look at the patients at Maitland as not just patients, but as individuals who are fighting against all odds to become successful members of a society that has put every possible barrier in their path.  Their resiliency amazes me and the possibility that even the slightest amount of encouragement or comfort on my part could  further improve their outlook or determination to achieve their dreams is incredible.  It struck me that this opportunity is far more valuable than any medical terminology or pathology I may learn during my time here.  Originally, I viewed this program as an incredible chance to gain exposure to the medical field.   When my first few days did not immediately  meet my experiential expectations, I panicked.  Although I now have gained more clinical exposure and this aspect of my internship is still of great value to me, I have realized that my time at Maitland, and in Cape Town in general, is allowing me the opportunity to do what I have always said I wanted to do, but never felt I had the power to accomplish.  I want to impact someone's life and am now realizing that this might not necessarily entail suturing or taking vital signs.  Yesterday, Maria taught one of the patients some basic anatomy.  Later, while we were talking with her before she went into surgery, we quizzed her on her newfound knowledge and she passed with flying colors.  Watching the amazement on Maria's face as she realized her actions had actually impacted this little girl was incredible, and  I now have the desire to do exactly the same thing.  If what I can provide these children during their time in the hospital can have an impact on them once they leave, my time at Maitland Cottage will have been more than worth my while.

Maria & Trista outside the theatre (OR) after having witnessed surgery