Wistful moments - the final days of CAMTA Gold Medal Mission 2010 !!

There are always wistful moments when a CAMTA mission winds-up.  Here's a shot of the Tierra Nueva staff together with the CAMTA Team Two members.  It's the best shot we've ever managed in the tight quarters of the pre-operative area of the operating room.  Our Tierra Nueva friends are mixed in with the group in like manner to how we work:  side by side!

Friday saw the completion of surgery.  When the pediatric room saw a cancellation because the two parents of an unfortunate child with hip problems couldn't agree to have surgery, Marc Moreau scrubbed in with the adult team.  Patricia Thorneloe is on the left.

Here's the adult team with Scott Wiens on the right.

As the hard work of the week winds down everyone is in a lighter mood.  Here's thumbs up from Cori Kalven and Bruce Fleming and Patricia Thorneloe.

With Marta now in recovery room after her surgery, Pauline Worsfold and Bruce poised for a shot.  Bruce is an emergency physician from Vancouver and Pauline is a long time CAMTA participant.  Look for her crying in the video on the top of the blog.

On Friday the Colombian refugee family showed up with a gift for the team.  They brought these big boxes of fruit - mangoes, papayas, passion fruit --- the bounty of Ecuador.  I've had to blur Mom and Dad's faces.  Look for their story earlier in the blog.

Here's Mateo on the way home.  That's his wife and his sister.  Mateo is only 48.  He will be back to work when the hip is healed and supporting his family!

Brithany headed home too.  This is a delightful shot of a beautiful child and mom.

On the last Saturday after surgery ends, Dra. Patricia Jarrin presents certificates and small gifts to the team members.

She also unveiled the plaque that will bed placed above the largest operating room in the new Un Canto a la Vida hospital that we will work in next year.  This plaque recognizes CAMTA's largest donor who has supported the mission for three years with a total gift of $65,000.

Finally, Patricia and Jacqueline and Carlos all said a few words.  

This is a funky shot of the gang sprawled over the hockey bags before they are placed in the bodega for another year.

"Our bags are packed, we're ready to go."

"The door is locked, it's sad to leave."

"The ward is empty and we'll never return."

The Tierra Nueva has been good to us ... but it's time to move to another hospital.

We'll work with our same Tierra Nueva friends and colleagues but at a nice new facility, next year.