Full Circle

As we wind down, with only 5 days of surgery left my heart is full. The patients who have become friends are healing and going home. The miracles that we needed have come through, and only a few are left waiting for their turn to finish healing to give them a brand new face to show the world. Old friends are coming back for last minute surgeries before we head out, and so many familiar faces are back. “L” has been back on the wards for a few weeks, and it is amazing to hear his laughter and screams of “Annah”! down the hallways. Just this past week “T” came back in for his last surgery before we leave. This is the surgery he was supposed to have last time to revise the skin on his face and around the eye that was left stretched from the tumor. The results from his biopsies are back, and three of the four tissues we sent were in fact Ameloblastoma. For now, All we can do is pray that we were able to get better margins around the tumors this time and that they won’t return. Until he meets up with the ship again when it returns to a neighboring country we just pray that his tumor does not return. That he can maintain his excellent outlook on life and that he can remain in excellent spirits, and the same loveable “T” that we have been able to spend so much of our time with here in Guinea. As we head into this last week I think we are all reflecting on our time in this beautiful country with these amazing people. We’ve had many heartbreaks, many triumphs, much joy, and above all, so much love. It’s a bittersweet week---knowing how much we have been able to do, but realizing how great the need still is. I just ask that you take a moment to think of us as you go about your week, and just pause to think about the amazing people of Guinea who will always have a piece of my heart. 

My Boys---T and L sporting their eye patches