Last spring, in one of the poorest countries in Central America, more than 1500 people stood in line patiently waiting to see \u201cthe doctors from America.\u201d\u00a0 Some had travelled all day from outlying, rural areas armed with big expectations, in search of an opportunity to rekindle a spark of hope.<\/p>\n
Many came for their children,\u00a0many who were born with cleft lips and palates,\u00a0 a condition that makes them potential social outcasts and unmarriageable burdens to their families for their entire lives.<\/p>\n
The village\u2019s operating room was \u201cstate of the art\u201d outfitted with additional equipment that the doctors brought from the U.S.<\/p>\n
But, \u201cstate of the art\u201d looks a bit different in a third world country.<\/p>\n
The borrowed stainless steel equipment was situated in a windowless, OR without air-conditioning, punctuated with flies and mosquitos. Patients rested on a six foot folding table that did not go up or down, requiring the surgeon to change position, and bend over the surgical field, for the entire operation.\u00a0 Lighting was provided by one, overhead fluorescent bulb.\u00a0 Suction for surgery was achieved by a tube connected to a faucet.\u00a0 When the water was run, the negative pressure created the only suction available.\u00a0 The anesthesiologist was adept at assisting and<\/em> keeping the rhythm of the patient\u2019s breathing by constantly pumping a manual bag.\u00a0 Coveted medicine (donated supplies that were due to expire soon, and, as such, would have been tossed into the trash in the U.S.) facilitated the procedures.<\/p>\n Yet, in a three day period, when temperatures outside tipped the scales at 90 degrees, facial cosmetic surgeon Mike Majmundar worked tirelessly alongside his team, comprised of local professionals, who spoke broken English, and other volunteers from the Flying Doctors organization.\u00a0 They completed 24 operations, inhabiting the humble operating room from 7 a.m. in the morning until 10 p.m. at night.<\/p>\n And Dr. Majmundar wants to do it again.<\/p>\n \u201cNext time, I know what we\u2019re up against, and I can make the most of what we can gather and bring,\u201d he explained.\u00a0 The sheer number of people who came underscored the need.\u00a0 \u201cIt was so hard to turn people away,\u201d he said.\u00a0 Particularly hard for Dr. Majmundar was an 18-month-old little girl with a cleft lip.\u00a0 \u201cShe was the most gorgeous little girl, such a happy toddler,\u201d he smiled.\u00a0 The girl\u2019s family had arrived at the head of the long line at the end of the day.\u00a0 Dr. Majmundar decided to fulfill his obligation to eat dinner with the village\u2019s mayor and then come back and do the little girl\u2019s surgery.\u00a0 Unfortunately, her bloodwork came back with a clotting disorder that would not have been a problem \u2026in the U.S., but made the surgery too risky for her at home.\u00a0 \u201cIt was heartbreaking.\u201d<\/p>\n For more than 20 years, Flying Doctors of America has been bringing together physicians, dentists, nurses, chiropractors, other health professionals, and non-medical support volunteers to care for people who otherwise would never receive professional medical care.\u00a0 The group operates under the \u201cMother Teresa Principle,\u201d focusing on the poorest of the poor who live in conditions that are difficult for most Americans to imagine.\u00a0 Knowing that someone cares renews hope for these people who live in an otherwise hopeless situation.<\/p>\n Please Join Us!<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0as Dr. Majmundar Hosts:<\/strong><\/p>\n True Beauty.. an Evening to Benefit Flying Doctors of America, Thursday, October 11, 2011<\/strong><\/p>\n 6 p.m. \u2013 9 p.m.\u00a0 Enjoy wine, appetizers, and the opportunity to meet representatives from Radiesse, Botox Cosmetic, Restylane, Juvederm, Sculptra Aesthetic, Belotero, Latisse, Melanage, Revision Skincare and more!\u00a0 Opportunity to win complimentary Botox and Restylane! Gift certificates available and, by appointment, complimentary mini consultations with Dr. Majmundar.\u00a0 770.475.3146<\/p>\n Northside Facial Cosmetic Surgery, Roswell\/Alpharetta Office<\/p>\n 11681 Haynes Bridge Road, Suite 200 Last spring, in one of the poorest countries in Central America, more than 1500 people stood in line patiently waiting to see \u201cthe doctors from America.\u201d\u00a0 Some had travelled all day from outlying, rural areas armed with big expectations, in search of an opportunity to rekindle a spark of hope. Many came for their children,\u00a0many … Continue reading Flying Doctors of America: A Short Synopsis of a Medical Mission<\/span>
\nAlpharetta, Georgia 30009<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"