This Fundación Clavel mission has come to an end and the experience has greatly reinforced our resilience.

Even though we give our very best, not every patient’s case is a success story. Complications can occur during surgeries, either because they are patients with pre-existing pathologies, or because by the time they come to the hospital, the injury to be treated is already too far advanced. One of those cases was that of Workitu, a 53-year-old woman with a brain tumor that had robbed her of the ability to go about her daily life. Because of the pressure of the tumor, she suffered terrible headaches, and such a lack of balance (ataxia) that she couldn’t walk.

The diagnosis confirmed a brain tumor in the fourth ventricle, so it was necessary to operate as soon as possible to prevent her clinical situation from worsening. The surgery was performed successfully, but when Workitu came out of the anesthesia, she was not able to breathe on her own and had to be intubated.

In situations like this, the team can feel discouraged, so it is important have the resilience to continue with scheduled operations, and continue helping other patients. We left Workitu in the care of the local medical team to continue with her reanimation, but we felt the bitterness of disappointment.

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