Day 2 at Hospital Loma de Luz was exciting and busy. We started
off in clinic meeting our first two surgical patients for the day- a large parotid
mass and complex thyroid. Once we got them triaged, the operations began!
Meanwhile in the clinic, Malika Atmakuri and Ben Rubinstein held down the fort,
from purulent ears to hemorrhagic vocal cords to pediatric midface lipomas. We
treated some new patients and followed up with some previous surgical cases
completed by the team in the past. A young man s/p anterior craniofacial
resection + ALT flap for a right maxillary fibrous chondromyxoma returned to
clinic to see us. He had healed remarkably well and was excited to be starting
university soon. We were so pleased to see his progress.
The OR cases proved to be challenging as well with a right
parotid mass coming originating from the deep lobe and extending into the
parapharyngeal space and a very obvious malignant thyroid with palpable central
nodes. Without nerve monitoring, things were tricky, but we persevered. While
Dr. Bohannon was covering the head and neck cases, Dr. Johnson was putting a
large cleft palate back together, while also staffing clinic, and keeping
everyone at ease- now that’s multi-tasking.
Long after the sun had set, we wheeled our thyroidectomy
patient into the ward and checked on our other patients. Despite our long day,
we walked home home with smiles on our faces- only one last challenge remained-
crossing the suspension bridges in the pitch black. The best part was coming home to an amazing
dinner- guacamole, homemade salsa, jamon, chicken, and Honduran beans &
rice with cold juicy watermelon for dessert. I bet you are hungry now. 
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