It is rather unusual for the SPSA to conduct a surgical mission twice in one year more so to the same venue.
But after the Calbayog mission in January 2006, everyone felt that we had too much "unfinished business" after performing a record-breaking 548 surgical procedures. We indeed were able to put a dent in the myriad of surgical cases which at that time seemed endless and futile. But the Society followng the old cliche from General Douglas MacArthur promised the citizens of Samar Island that "we shall return".
We had an open invitation and sponsorship of another mission to Calbayog Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento and Congressman Reynaldo Uy so the society started gearing up for this second mission as soon as we returned to our home states. Both the Mayor and the Congressman consider health care as a top priority for their constituents, especially Congressman Uy who is a medical doctor himself before he became involved in politics. The second mission to Calbayog City was unanimously approved by the SPSA Board of Governors during the March 2006 meeting in Las Vegas and was later confirmed at the July meeting in Long Beach, California during the Society's Annual CME Seminar.
The "old guard" committed earlyto join the mission while we tried to recruit a few "first timers". Dr. Jack Bautista committed to bring his opthalmology team again. His group and eye foiundation has always been an avid supporter of our surgical missions. Wothout them, we would be unable to provide eye care to the islanders especially those that are blind with bilateral cataracts.
My relentless co-team leader Pacing Dorado who just recovered from a serious abdominal surgery readily committed to this second mission to Calbayog City. Medical supplies packed in more than 30 boxes were shipped in September. These supplies were donated by various companies, organizations and hospitals that I have come to solicit from for many years. Additional supplies were also shipped by Pacing Dorado from Ohio and Ed Quiros from Texas.
We had new faces joining us for the first time: Dr. Mahmoud Saber, anesthesiologist from Terre Haute, IN and his wife Peggy, O.R. nurse, Ms. Chris Velarde, a CRNA from New Jersey, Ms. Chris Schettini, a sales rep for Ethicon who brought her mesh grafts for hernia repairs plus suture materials; Ms. Julie Spencer, daughter of Dr. Rey Faylona form Wisconsin; Mrs. Kathy Castillo, RN, wife of SPSA's incoming president, Rey Castillo, a neurosurgeon from Michigan; Dr. Ed Barcvelona, general cand vascular surgeon and his wife Aliceform Palmdale, California; Dr. romy Laygo, my classmate and genral surgeon form Georgia and his wife Marina; Dr. manny Garcia, retired general surgeon from Florida; Dr. Tatad Kalbit, a young urologist from Zamboanga City, Philippines.
The "old guards" consisted of Drs. Pacing and Ludy Dorado, Drs. Manny and Fe Cacdac, Drs. Ed and Bing Quiros, Dr. and mrs. Romy Sangalang, Dr. and Mrs. Ben Zamora, Dr. and Mrs. Rolly Mendiola, Drs. Oscar and Sarie Laserna, Dr. Nap Valdez, Dr. Rey Faylona, Dr. Ed navarro from Germany, Mr. rolando Reyes, a CRNA from New Jersey, Dr. Pedro Cordero, a general and vascular surgeon from New Jersey who earlier joined us in Palawan in 2004, and Dr. Flor Castillo, a thoracic and vascular surgeon form Manila and brother of Rey Castillo.
Our local anesthesia team included Dr. Helen Gomez whose husband is from Calbayog City. She brought with her two outstanding young anesthesiologists from Baguio City - Dr. Arvin Pilit and Dr. George Jularbal. Our opthalmology team consisted of Dr. Jack Bautista, team leader, Dr. Lee Olanan, Dr. April Aquintaña, Dr. Carl Nasol, Dr. Mauel Singson, Jr., Dr. Anton Subhyakto, Cecile Leonardo, Edwin Lipat, Michael Briones and Bangielyn Priscilla.
Our local supporting team included Dr. Arnie Cahilig, Dr. Gilbert Cabigon, Dr. Beth Uy, Dr. Flora Rosales and the medical staff of the Calbayog District Hospital. Without them, the mission would not have been organized, as they were responsible for pre-screening most of the pre-op patients.
A few members of the surgical team arrived early in Manila to participate in the 62nd Congress of the Philippine College of Surgeons at Shangri-la Edsa from December 3-6, 2006. Tom Chua, Ed Barcelona, Rolly Mendiola and myself attended the opening ceremonies on Devcember 3 and were all recognized. That same afternoon we presented scientific papers with Dr. Philip Chua as the moderator. Dr. Francisca Velcek, SPSA Past President was conferred an honorary fellowship to the Philippine College of Surgeons during the Congress.
On December 7, 2007, the Society was awarded the LINKAPIL Award (Lingkod sa Kapwa Pilipino) by President Gloria Arroyo at the Malacañang Palace.
This was the first time the Society was recognized for its surgical missions and volunteerism after all these years. Dr. Oscar Laserna, SPSA's incumbent President represnted the Society, together with his wife Dr. Sarie Laserna, Dr. Tom Chua and Dr. Philip Chua. The whole group would have loved to be present during the ceremonies but it was the same morning that the team was scheduled to fly to Calbayog City on a special flight with a local airline.
After a one hour flight, we arrived in Calbayog, met at the local ariport with much fanfare. There were dancers dressed in native costumes who performed for us. We were greeted by our local hosts. Mayor Mel Sarmiento flew with us from Manila where he received an award from the President as one of the top mayors of the Philippines. After brunch, we were assigned our accomodations at two different locations not too far from the three hospitals where we were to operate.
After settling in, we divided each group into "screeners" and "unpackers". Like last year, our "war room" was a large conference room at the District Hospital where nearly forty boxes of medical supplies and equipments were unpacked and sorted out. We divided the team into three groups with corresponding team leader for each of the three hospitals: St. Camillus, Calbayog Sanitarium and the Calbayog District Hospital. Screening of cases were completedby six o'clock in the afternoon and each hospital posted its own operating schedule for the following day.
The first day of the mission was unevetnful, each team doing as many surgeries as the facilty could handle. Calamity struck the following day when heavy typhoon hit Leyte and the southern tip of Samar Island. Electrical power was disrupted and we had to resort to emergency hospital generators and occasional flashlights to power up and light the operating rooms. The power surge burned and damaged some of our equipment. During the periods of brownouts, the opthalmology group could not use their Phaco machines. Without the air cinditioners the operating rooms became oppressively hot. Torrential rains did not make things easier for everyone the following day.Electrical power was restored on the second to the last day of the mission. In spite of all the obstacles and the difficulties, the whole teram was able to perform 71 eye surgeries, 189 major surgeries under general and spinal anesthesia, and 250 minor surgeries under local anesthesia, for a total of 540 procedures. The surgical cases were the usual comlexities of thyroids, from small to giant adenomas, huge inguinal hernia and hydrocoeles, cataracts, abdominal tumors, uterine fibroids, naso-frontal encephalocoeles, and various emergencies like that of a 4-year-old boy with intestinal obstrcution from a volvolus.
The highlight of every mission is when the host community says goodbye with the usual despedida party. This time it was a party to be remembered. The evening before our departure, Mayor Sarmiento and Congressman Uy and their staff gave us a very lavish going-away party held at the town plaza with a huge audience. The Calbayog Arts and Culture Performers provided the entertainment. A "cookout" was prepared where fresh fish and grand assortment of food were grilled in front of our tables. The usual presentation of awards, individual recognitions, and dancing were enjoyed by all. Gratitude and appreciation from both the hosts and members of the mission was overflowing. We of course were very proud, honored, and gratified for again being able to help our impoverished countrymen in Samar Island.
The return flight to Manila was somber and everyone reflected on how much we could give a little part of oursleves and get so much in return. Many of the members of the mission have already volunteered to join the next mission. It is always a delight to hear from everyone that in spite of the "blood, sweat and tears", they enjoyed the trip and are willing to join another mission.
Pacing Dorado and myself, on behalf of the SPSA appreciate and acknowledge with gratitude the following: Alcon, Inc., Ethicon, MAP Internationmal, AmeriCares, Operating Room Staff of Terre Haute Regional Hospital and Union Hospital for collecting medical supplies, especially Ms. Wanda Coffin, my ever faithful secretaries Marge Bray and Joan Kleptz, and to Mr. and Mrs. David Hughes for their timely donation of $5,000 for this mission. To Mr. Ed Puno we extend our gratitude for his untiring efforts in coordinating the mission in Calbayog City. Lastly, to my wife, Fe, whose love and devotion keep me going.
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