Managua, Nicaragua (2018)

Introducing Melida Christopher Anderson, a 34-year-old woman who lives in Costa Atlantico, Nicaragua, and traveled far to the hospital here in Managua, almost a complete day’s trip by bus, to see if she would qualify for a hip replacement. When she was 15 years old, Melida was in a bus accident. She was traveling to see her relatives and the bus lost its brakes and flipped. Ever since, Melida has experienced significant pain in her back, left hip, and left leg. Despite this pain, she continued to work any job that she could, as a housekeeper, washing clothes, waitressing, anything to support herself and her two young sons. For the past three years, Melida has been unable to work due to the intensity of her pain. Ultimately, the pain was so severe that she was unable to bend down to put on her own shoes. Yet she remained hopeful and traveled to the hospital in Managua several times, pleading for help. She told the hospital staff that she was poor and needed surgery, and asked if there was anything that they could do for her. The hospital told Melida that there was a group from America coming and that with luck, they may be able to help her, but they could not promise anything.

Melida was selected for surgery by our team and received a left hip replacement. The surgery was complicated and the first two days afterward were difficult. She was very tired and in discomfort. She felt that the effort it took to get to Managua (a twenty-four-hour bus ride) may have taken her strength more than the surgery she received. She also worried about what she would do after she was discharged from the hospital. Melida had been staying with her aunt in her small house and needed to sleep on the floor. Sleeping on the floor is not an option after surgery, as the probability of dislocating her new hip is very high and so she was uncertain where she could stay during her recovery. Operation Walk was aware of her concern and after some coordination with her aunt, our local transportation guide, the airlines, and a local hotel devised a plan for her to stay in accommodations near the airport while she recovers and then will provide a ticket for her to fly home instead of riding the bus. Day three after surgery was a complete turn-around. She was able to progress from using a walker to crutches and then a cane as she navigated the halls. Another boost to her morale was a visit from her aunt. Her aunt works long hours caring for several neighborhood children and did not have the chance to visit Melida until three days after her surgery.

Melida was eager to return home to her children, ages 17 and 19. She missed them terribly during her time here in Managua, but is excited to show them how much better she is feeling and can walk after her hip replacement. Melida would like to say thank you for helping to provide her with the surgery that will allow her to be more active with her children, in her community, and be more able to support her family. She will never forget the generosity she received from the Operation Walk team and is thankful that she was able to be selected for this surgery that has changed her life.

Meet Bayardo Guardado. In his mid-60s and father of one son, his smile and gracious manner are infectious. Bayardo has driven a bus for the specially-abled for many years, but recently has found it more and more difficult to drive the manual stick-shift. He was concerned that if he did not receive knee replacement surgery, he would no longer be able to drive his passengers to their appointments and eventually would not be able to support himself. When selected, Bayardo was over the moon. His trademark smile and easy laugh have not left him, even in the recovery room.

Bayardo received a knee replacement and came out of surgery determined to start walking immediately. Bayardo did well during his two days of recovery. He began his physical therapy with a walker and was able to switch to crutches before he was discharged from the hospital. His brother came to pick him up on Sunday and he was full of smiles as well.

Bayardo is anxious to get back to work; in fact, that was one of the first questions he had for his medical team. “When will I be able to drive again?” was paramount in his mind. His surgeons assured him that he will be able to start driving again in four to six weeks after surgery, but he needs to take it slowly at first. Bayardo is beyond grateful for this “second chance” that Operation Walk has given him and says that he will remember all of the people who cared for him each time he drives his route. Driving his bus is his priority, as are the passengers he has gotten to know like family. He knows now that with patience and hard work, he will be able to drive them for many years to come.