14 symbols that changed his life

I stepped off the airplane after traveling for more than two days and even though I was slightly exhausted from the travel which had taken me from Idaho to Utah by car, Utah to Chicago by plane, Chicago to Boston by plane, Boston to Frankfurt of course by plane, Frankfurt to Libreville, Gabon by a huge plane, and from Libreville, Gabon to Pointe Noire, Congo by another plane, I had a spring in my step as my heart subconsciously leaps and smiles every time my feet hit the African continent.

I passed through immigration without difficulty, showed proof of my yellow fever vaccine to the health authority, gathered my luggage, and rushed out to meet the Mercy Ships’ Land Rover that I knew would be waiting for me. I was greeted by two fellow crew mates who said, “Oh- good- Laura is here…we are so glad you are here- we have a patient for you!” I chuckled as I thought they were playing a joke on me-giving me work the moment I got off the plane… ignoring what they said, I asked where the land rovers were parked as I was looking forward to getting to the ship and enjoying a 4 minute shower (normally we are allowed only 2 minute showers, but I thought I could cheat because I hadn’t used the last 2 months worth of my 2 minute showers)….The two crew mates repeated what they has said before, “we have a patient for you.” In disbelief I still questioned my crew mates, “really, there is a patient here?” I don’t know why I thought it so impossible, but honestly the ship had just sailed in 3 days prior to my arrival and I was part of the second group flying into the country. I didn’t think enough time had passed for the African bush telegraph (what we call the manner in which news spreads in Africa which is amazing-despite the general lack of passable roads, modern technology, electricity, and such, news does travel rapidly and across 1000s of miles) to spread the word that Mercy Ships personnel are at the airport each night.  Either way, my crew mates were not joking, there was a patient looking for help from Mercy Ships and seeing how I am on the triage team of Mercy Ships’ nurses that say “yes” & “no” to patients, I was the woman for the job.

Upon exiting the airport, it was not hard to spot him; he had a giant grapefruit sized tumor jutting out of the right side of his face. I approached him and learned he wasn’t too many years my senior and had been plagued with his tumor for the last 12 years. He told me his diagnosis and with remorse reported there were simply no doctors in his country that could successfully complete his operation so he had to look for help elsewhere.  He learned about Mercy Ships on the internet and had tried to connect with us when we were in Guinea- but realized our surgical spaces were all full by the time he contacted us. He wouldn’t let the same happen to him again.  He had traveled roughly 1,801 miles from his home country of Nigeria to seek help. He had heard Mercy Ships was in Brazzaville so he flew there in faith that he would connect with us.  Upon reaching the Congo, he searched for someone he could communicate with, because he doesn’t speak French, and learned the ship was not in Brazzaville- but about 348 miles away in Pointe Noire. He then boarded another plane from Brazzaville to Pointe Noire and “happened” to fly into Pointe Noire, Congo the exact same evening I flew in.

Considering the hospital was not yet ready for patients (because the ship had just sailed in and we literally have to pack- and up-pack the hospital every time the ship moves) we found somewhere for him to stay, took his contact information, and promised to contact him the next day to arrange for his lodging, medical assessment, and care.  A few days later- he received a CT scan, a surgical assessment by Mercy Ships’ amazing maxillo-facial surgeon, his diagnosis was confirmed, and my team and I had the privilege of writing 14 symbols on his patient ID badge that changed his life…A-d-m-i-s-s-i-o-n …S-e-p-t  4… I LOVE my job & love being back in Africa!