Diocese of Joliet Surgical Mission To Bago City, Bacolod, Philippines

Estella Del Rosario

I learned about the surgical mission to the Philippines from one of my co-workers. I was told that Dr. Trinkus, medical director of the diocese's missions, was looking for nurses to go for a mission. Initially, I thought I would go since I speak the dialect where the mission would be. Life’s other obligations made me think twice, however, with my husband’s support and encouragement, I went to the formation meeting. There, I met Art Sheridan and Helen Bills. I have known Dr. Trinkus as one of our gynecologists at Central DuPage Hospital and on a personal level as my gynecologist. Art and Vic spoke with passion about helping poor people in different parts of the world and also about the surgical mission to the Philippines. I felt their commitment and sincere desires to help. Both of them spoke passionately, serving to stir my conscience. I said to myself, “Wow”, these two gringos are true missionaries at heart, willing to help my own people without expecting anything in return. While I have the doubt whether I’ll go . . . “Shame on me!” After hearing them speak, I was compelled to submit my applications as one of RN Volunteers. NO REGRETS! I’m glad I went.

The people and local officials of Bago City were very enthusiastic in welcoming us. With ever-present smiles on their faces, they catered us to various Filipino delicacies. It seemed as though we were forever eating when we were not working.

Working there changed my definition of a nurse. I felt I had gone back to the basics. I had a b/p cuff, stethoscope and a oximeter in the recovery room that most of the time did not function properly. My expectation was that I would be incredibly busy, working to save lives, providing basic human comfort and kindness. I learned to rely on and appreciate my own clinical knowledge and judgment.

With my clinical experience, knowledge, and lots of prayers (As I always said, "God will provide!") we never had problems recovering patients from surgery. I observed that most patients refused analgesics unless I prodded them to take it when they were in pain, emphasizing it's free. Our patients are used to be being poor; their lives filled with great struggles. Pain is a lesser of their concerns. Working with these wonderful teams of surgeons, physicians, dentist, anesthetists, nurses, surgical tech, Art and Helen, our mission coordinators, and the local nurses was a privilege. We worked hand in hand with the local nurses. Everyone worked hard with the same goal, to help the less fortunate and make a difference in people’s lives.

While I was there, student nurses were left with us in the recovery room while their clinical instructor was with the other students in the operating room. I gave an informal lecture to this group of nursing students and nurses. It was humbling how they hung to every word and looked at me like I was the pinnacle of nursing knowledge. I felt grateful for what I could share.

One of the highlights of our trip was visiting the orphanage under the management of the Sisters of Capuchin order where children as young as nine years old were victims of incest and rapes. A throng of children greeted us with smiles and songs. Two of the kids started holding my hands and would never let go of me. That experience was moving and overwhelming for me.

Going through this medicall mission experience raised my level of consciousness and spirituality. I am grateful for our many heartwarming encounters with people who were medically deprived, as well as the staff of Bago City Hospital and securities who served us. The whole experience left an indelible mark in my heart.

As we bid an emotional farewell to the staff of Bago City Hospital, our hearts were full of hope that we could find more generous hearts willing to help alleviate the situation of medically deprived in our homeland.

Estella Del Rosario