Hey folks,

Today was a day of celebration. I arrived early to the hospital and handed a gift to each nurse and doctor working in the ICU. They were so gracious and appreciative. We spent much of the morning taking photos of each other, hugging and writing down e-mail addresses. As I was leaving the ICU towards the planned celebration of the dedication of the Cath Lab, I heard beautiful singing behind the hospital. A funeral was taking place. I could only follow the music with my ears so not to intrude. I then noticed a group of men speaking to a security guard. They were Masai, dressed in traditional garments and clutching tall walking sticks. I couldn’t help but be very curious as I walked by noticing that one of the men had long, stretched earlobes.

From there I walked to the ceremony being held to welcome the German Ambassador.  The ceremony was to celebrate the modernization of equipment and training for the Cath Lab. Dr. DeMoor, our interventional cardiologist, was unable to join in the celebration outside, however, because he was celebrating in the Cath Lab! He and the Kenyan team had just repaired a sick heart valve of a 12-year-old boy from Nairobi named Philip and avoided an otherwise necessary open-heart surgery. It was a great ending to a busy and exhausting week.

The ceremony was held outside in a courtyard surrounded by tropical flowers and birds. The chef of the hospital had produced a giant cake in the shape of a heart and stood proudly by its side for a photo to be taken. The school of nursing students took turns entertaining the crowd with traditional dancing, singing, and poetry reading. The harmonies were so beautiful it brought lumps to my throat. I was able to video some that I can share when I return.

In the afternoon a boardroom was prepared for the Children’s Heartlink team and members from the operating theatre, ICU, Cath Lab, St. Mary’s Ward and administration. There, we spent over an hour in a round-table discussion and debriefing session. Representatives of each area shared their impression of the achievements and goals reached during the mission. A very detailed outcome report and suggestions for the open-heart program at the hospital was discussed and documented. I felt compelled to share with the nursing staff my wish to bottle up the immense passion they showed for their profession and determined quest for knowledge and take it back with me.

At night we gathered for small, private celebration with our doctor and nurse partners from the hospital. We joked around using our newly learned Swahilli and said our last goodbyes. Janet, the head nursing matron, or chief nursing officer, spoke these words softly, “Remember when you come back to Kenya, you are coming home.” These are the words spoken only to true friends.

Sincerely,
Whitney

Our team would love to hear from you.  Please send your questions, comments or words of encouragement to
Whitney Partin, R.N.,  partinw@lebonheur.org.