Sometimes life connects you to people you don’t expect to meet. For our first four men receiving knee replacement surgery, that is exactly what happened.
Each of them made the journey to Antigua, Guatemala for one purpose, to be screened by Operation Walk. Two of them had been there before.Both Clementino and Agusto received a knee replacement in August of 2017. The surgery had helped them maintain their careers, helped them provide for their families, but ultimately was not the complete solution they had been searching for. Each man needed another surgery to give them full mobility and a respite from the pain caused by arthritis.
Hilario and Waldemar were in new territory. They heard Operation Walk provided free joint replacement surgery, but weren’t sure if they would qualify. They each sat in the holding area, waiting to be screened with the question large in their minds; will I be selected for surgery and if I am, can I get both knees replaced?
The good news came that each man was selected for surgery and their cases allowed them to be operated on the first day. They were ecstatic, they were grateful, and yet some disappointment lingered. Clementino and Agusto would get the second surgery they had waited four years to receive, but Hilario and Waldemar would only get a single replacement.
All surgeries went well and the four men ended up in our recovery ward, sharing a room and sharing their experiences. Fate has a funny way of placing people together at just the right time. Quickly they shared their life stories, finding out that they had many things in common. Three of them were farmers and the other man worked the land, cutting timber. They all had family members that had stood by them during difficult times; brothers, spouses, children. These people had helped to take over their burdens and helped to bring them to Obras Sociales del Santo Hermano Pedro for surgery.
They also shared the desire to recover and get back to their lives. Clementino and Agusto told the other two men how important it was to work hard during physical therapy. Do the exercises recommended by the therapists, listen to the nurses, and to walk as much as possible to strengthen the muscles that had long been neglected. That first night, they decided that they would leave the hospital together, less than 24 hours after their surgeries. They practiced throughout the night and were ready for our team the next morning when we returned.
Agusto let his feelings be known that morning when he was waiting for medical clearance to be discharged from the hospital.
“I consider my two surgeries a miracle. It’s hard to know how difficult it is for patients with arthritis. How painful it is to even take a single step. I wish I could see you all every day for the rest of my life to say thank you for giving me back my life. I have had a wonderful experience in the Operating Room and during recovery with you all walking beside me. I give you all my heartfelt thanks.”
Clementino seconded his friend’s thoughts.
“You have given me back my life. You have given all of us back our lives. Thank you for being the answer to my prayers. I will never forget you and hope that one day we will meet again.”
For Waldemar and Hilario, their journey is not yet complete. They are anxious yet optimistic that they will receive their second surgeries within the year. Two other Operation Walk teams will visit Antigua and may offer them the restored mobility they so desperately seek.
As we said goodbye to our first four men, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. We are invested in each patient we serve and to see such commitment and dedication to recovery wasn’t lost on a single volunteer. Buena suerte to each man who passed through our OR and through recovery. We can’t wait to see you again and hear more about your stories.
