Day Six of Healing Little Hearts in Romania
It’s our final day at Grigore Alexandrescu Emergency Children’s Hospital in Romania and we are here to do one last update on the children who received healing care this week!
The local and visiting team in the ICU.
Part of the visiting team in the ICU.
The Power of Partnership
The work we do at Gift of Life International would not be accomplished if it were not for the amazing relationships and partnerships we have built as an organization. A lot goes into the behind the scenes that makes these visits possible.
For instance, supplies needed for these visits are organized and shipped weeks in advance to the teams actual arrival in the country we are going to that week. Gift of Life International’s own Joe LeMin, Logistics Coordinator, keeps all of our supplies organized and is the reason we have the right equipment everywhere we go!
Joe LeMin, Gift of Life International Logistics Coordinator.
Supplies wrapped up in the storage unit, ready to be shipped!
Brenda Small, Operations Consultant.
Not only does the equipment need proper organization and documentation to get to the countries we work in, but our teams do, too! Brenda Small is Gift of Life International’s Operations Consultant. Brenda has played a crucial role in the growth of Gift of Life’s global network for over seventeen years. For this trip in particular, she coordinated the collection of team documents, ordered and shipped all supplies and medications, scheduled airfares, and worked with local Romanian Rotary members to coordinate hotel reservations and pick-up scheduling for the team!
Radu Popescu and Victor Martin of the Rotary Club of Pipera.
We also would like to acknowledge and thank the members of the Rotary Club of Pipera! George Mucibaici (president), Victor Martin (past president), and Radu Popescu (past district governor) all made our team feel immensely welcome in Romania. They helped support our visit in many ways, including logistics, hotel reservations, travel coordination within Romania, the coordination and provision of lunch everyday at the hospital to every team member, and even coordinated tours and excursions for those on our team who had time!
Hearts Touched, Lives Changed
We ended the week with eight catheterization procedures completed, resulting in healed hearts, thanks to Dr. Herbert Stern, Dr. Romana Taccori, and the local catheterization team!
Dr. Herbert Stern with the local catheterization team.
The local catheterization team in the catheterization lab.
The children who have received surgery this week are doing very well, some have even moved to the step-down ward and will be heading home Monday afternoon!
Nour, our first child operated on this week, is back to his normal goofy self!
Nour recovering in the step-down unit with his Gift of Life International teddy bear.
Nour recovering in the step-down unit.
Stephania is still doing great, too! She will be able to leave the hospital Monday afternoon. Today she was able to give Nurse Jordyn Cameron and Margaret Gosland their crochet hearts since they worked the night shift the day she made her gifts!
Asha Owens, Jordyn Cameron, Stephania, Dr. Gabe Owens and Margaret Gosland with Stephania in the step-down unit.
Evelina is all smiles when you talk to her now! Last night her mother made her a little cocoon for comfort, using the Gift of Life International teddy bear and blanket. She is feeling better today and is much more giggly.
Evelina in her blanket cocoon.
Evelina recovering in the ICU.
Our fourth child to have surgery this week was Eric. Remember this wiggle worm?! He’s doing great!
Eric recovering in the ICU.
Next up is Alexia. When Alexia first came out of surgery she was very saddened and scared of the unknown circumstances. Once she realized that the people surrounding her were there to help, and her mother was able to cuddle her again, she came around. Today, she was all smiles.
Alexia recovering in the ICU with her mother.
Luca is doing amazing and has also been moved to the step-down unit in the room next to Stephania and Nour!
Nurse Jordyn Cameron with Luca in the step-down unit.
Nurse Margaret Gosland with Luca in the step-down unit.
Victor is resting in the ICU with his mother by his side. He has a matching pajama set brought from home to keep him comfy while his heart heals!
Victor with his mother in the ICU.
Vlad is also accompanied by his mother! He is currently resting in the ICU.
Vlad holds hands with his mother while he rests and recovers in the ICU.
Matias and Gabe are also doing well and recovering in the ICU!
Until Next Time, Romania!
We leave Romania with hearts full of gratitude and joy. The successful recoveries of the children are a testament to the dedication of our medical team and the resilience of these incredible children. Generosity and collaboration have been instrumental in touching these young lives. As we say goodbye to Bucharest, we look forward to being able to come back in the months to come, and continue to heal little hearts and change lives for children in Romania!
