A FAMILY AFFAIR
By Arlene Chua MD
When I joined the Carolina Medical Mission in 2008, one of Anita Ng’s first comments was, “We have all come together as strangers but will leave as family.” She was right. People of different ages, professions, and from various parts of the United States and the Philippines came together for the sole purpose of helping those in need and left with a common bond--a feeling of family.
This year’s mission was, however, different. It was even more special for me. This year we did not come as strangers; we came as a family. My husband, Roland Rivera, and I joined the Carolina Medical Mission for the second time and brought along my parents, Kim and Vicky Chua, as well as our three children, Madison (11 years old), Caroline (8 years old), and Nicholas (3 years old). My sister Annabelle Chua and her husband Ken Han also joined us. Having my family with me made the experience more enjoyable and meaningful in addition to making it possible to have one as young as 3 years old participate in the medical mission.
The kids all helped with counting pills, helped with registering and directing patients, and entertained the pediatric patients. My girls even scrubbed in and “assisted” me with surgery. Despite the long hours, all three came everyday to participate in the mission. They left everyday exhausted but with (at least for the older two) a new appreciation for the blessings they have--health, opportunity, education, and family. For me, this was a unique and gratifying opportunity to travel overseas, visit my native country, and help my fellow Filipinos and to be able to do it all with my family. Thank you CMM.
THE MEDICAL MISSION
By Madison Rivera, 6th Grader East Millbrook Middle School
When I went on the Carolina Medical Mission, for the first day it was only a little less like chaos and more like a giant rush. Everyone was trying to prepare: counting pills, setting up stations, and registering people for the week to come. It was fun coming with my family. It was like a vacation with work.
The next day was more organized. I was in the surgical area and was just watching my mom at first doing surgery. I finally assisted her in the end. It was a very interesting experience. The next day I was in the medical part helping my aunt Annabelle with pedia. I saw sore throats, bad teeth, and scabies.
The rest of the week I was with my mom observing her do surgery. My mom cut out cysts, lipomas, and other things. I even saw my mom prepare a wound, make an incision, and write a prescription. I hope I can do this again next year.
THE CMM
By Caroline Rivera, 3rd Grader Millbrook Elementary
This year I went on a very important mission. It was the Carolina Medical Mission. I got to help count the pills and even helped out in the operating room. When I first saw my mom working it was creepy. Then I got used to it and helped sponge the blood.
When I was counting pills it was a little boring. And it stayed that way ‘till the next day, (but even the small jobs make a difference.) Then I got to hand out toys and helped give out medicine. That day I got to do a lot of different jobs to help everybody.
On the last day of the mission there were still so many people to see. I had so many more toys to hand out |
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