Bohol, Philippines 2025- Day 3: Surgeries Begin

Day 3 marked the official start of surgeries, and what a day it was! We arrived at the hospital bright and early at 8:00 am. The hospital held a short ceremony to bless the surgeries and kick off the week with positive energy. It was a beautiful and moving way to begin.

Today’s procedures included thyroid removals, OBGYN mass removals, gallbladder removals, hernia repairs, and hemorrhoidectomies. The best news? Every single surgery was a success! It was incredibly rewarding to see patients recovering well, even just an hour after their procedures. They were radiating gratitude and were so thankful for the opportunity to receive this care. After about an hour in the PACU (Post-Anesthesia Care Unit), patients were moved to the ward to continue their recovery.

The hospital generously provided our mission team with three of their four operating rooms, reserving one for emergency cases. This proved to be incredibly fortuitous, as a man arrived needing a lower extremity amputation. Because of the open OR, the hospital staff was able to immediately provide him with the critical surgery he needed. It highlighted the importance of their planning and collaboration.

Beyond the surgeries, today was also a day of teaching and learning. Dr. Shopper generously took time out of his busy schedule to teach some of the hospital’s students about the usage of their equipment. He even provided them with some much-needed supplies. The students were incredibly grateful for Dr. Shopper’s knowledge and willingness to share his expertise. These moments of education are so valuable, building capacity and leaving a lasting impact.

Once all the patients were settled in their recovery rooms, our team finally made it back to the hotel. We enjoyed a well-deserved dinner, sharing stories from the day and reflecting on the impact we were making. Tomorrow brings another early start and a full schedule, and the team is already buzzing with excitement to continue our mission.