Friday was a long but uneventful day with all flights on time and all baggage and supplies accounted for.
After an hour long bus ride to Antigua Guatemala, pizzas and cervezas were served up and all went for a good night's sleep.

Saturday the team was treated to a relaxing breakfast at our hotel, the beautiful Quinta de Las Flores. Breakfast was followed by orientation by our team leader Cindy and Las Obras OR Manager Dolores and lastly a tour of Las Obras guided by Padre Jose.

Sunday is one of the longest and hardest days of the mission. All potential surgical patients arrive for assessment which begins around 8:00 AM and doesn't wind down until near 6:00 PM. All the equipment must be checked and the surgical supplies unpacked and arranged.

The first day of surgery has 13 procedures planned including the repair of cleft lips in a 10 year old and a 3 year old, a cleft palate repair in a 4 year old, the release of a tongue tie in a 22 year old and the repair of a young man's lacerated hand tendon.
The general surgeons repair four inguinal herniae and an umbilical hernia in five patients ranging in age from 35 to 67.

The gynecologists perform two abdominal hysterectomies and one vaginal hysterectomy with a repair for incontinence.
 

The second day of surgery has 14 procedures planned including 4 vaginal hysterectomies and a cervical biopsy.
The general surgeons repair 2 inguinal herniae, remove an adominal wall mass, a thyroid nodule and perform a laparoscopic gall bladder removal.

The plastics team do 4 cleft lip repairs in patients ranging in age from 11 months to 4 years.
 

On our third day the general surgeons perform 2 laparoscopic gall bladder removals, 3 inguinal hernia repairs and 1 umbilical hernia repair.
The gynecologists perform 4 abdominal hysterectomies and 1 vaginal hysterectomy.

The plastic surgery team performs 2 cleft palate repairs and two cleft lip repairs.

Friday was a busy day with 2 circumcisions, 2 hernia repairs, a laparoscopic cholestectomy and removal of a cystic hygroma from the axilla of a 4 year old girl.
The plastics team repaired 2 cleft lips a cleft palate and closure of a palatal fustula.

The gynecolgists performed 2 hysterectomies and some minor procedures.
At the end of the day some of the team went for a tour of the Casa De Fe, a hotel run by Los Obras where the patients recuperate before returning to their villages.
On returning home all were treated to an Indian food feast courtesy of Pamy and Rupinder.

On Thursday the plastics team repairs 2 cleft lips, a cleft palate and closes a fistula from a previous palate repair.

The gynecology team performs a diagnostic laparoscopy and 3 hysterectomies.

The general surgery team perfroms 6 hernia repairs.

The weekend in the middle of the mission affords an opportunity to recharge and explore. This year a group went to Tikal, another to Panajachel, another to Monterrico on Guatemala's Pacific coast and a few chilled out closer to "home" in Antigua.

Bev, Esther, Pam, Bob, Joe and Mike venture off to the ruins and jungle of Tikal.

A trip to Monterrico offers the opportunity to explore Pacific coast and the conservation area. View the slideshow below. Note that the first time you view this page the images may take a few moments to load

Tuesday saw four hysterectomies, a cleft lip and a cleft palate repair, nasal reconstruction after machete amputation and release of tongue tie. The general surgery team performed two hernia repairs and two laparoscopic cholecystectomies. Ghyslaine also celebrated a birthday.

Recharged from a weekend of sun and exploration the team begins the week with more cleft lip and palate repairs, hysterectomies, hernia repairs and cholecystectomies.

Our last two days wind down with more cleft lip and palate repairs, hernia repairs and hysterectomies. Thursday evening there is a tradition of the team members providing a pot-luck dinner for the Obras staff.

Our last two days wind down with more cleft lip and palate repairs, hernia repairs and hysterectomies. Thursday evening there is a tradition of the team members providing a pot-luck dinner for the Obras staff.

On Friday some members return to Panabaj which was struck by the devastating mudslide.