In total 36 operable cataracts were identified during the camps, but only 30 chose to come for surgery. Of these, three were unable to have surgery due to high blood pressure issues and so sadly, had to return home without having their eyes fixed.
Tila and Kumar, once again performed miracles rounding everyone up, patients and carers immediately after the camps were finished and ferrying them to Pokhara Eye Hospital for their surgery. Along side our cataract patients, the 6 VIA +ve, the 3rd & 4th degree uterine prolapse ladies and the health worker with the cervical endothelial neoplasma also came for follow-up checks at the Gandaki Hospital.
Kumar accompanied the ladies and thankfully 5 of the 6 were given the all clear, while the 6th underwent cryotherapy to kill the irregular cells, and she will follow-up in a year’s time. The health worker with the worrying cervical mass was also given the all clear, as it was found to be non malignant, and our uterine prolapse ladies’s names are on the list for free surgery. Those with 1st or 2nd degree prolapses had pessary’s inserted during the camps to push their uteruses back into place.
Back at the eye hospital, Tila ensured everyone was happy; the necessary tests were done at the correct times; the patients were ready for surgery when called; food, water and medicine was dispensed to all the patients, and that they and their carers were as comfortable as possible.
Everyone’s surgery went well with the majority able to see as soon as their eye patch was removed. One or two still had blurry vision, but that will clear within a couple of days and the application of eye drops. Regardless of their situation, everyone was super happy, extremely grateful and very excited to have their vision back.
Prior to being discharged, everyone (carers included) were given a very detailed briefing about the after care of their eyes, to include everything from washing around them, to what they can/can’t eat/drink, when and how to apply their eye drops and the importance of wearing dark glasses post op. Questions were asked of the patients and answers elicited, to make sure everyone was 100% clear about what they should/shouldn’t do.
Eye drops, medical cards and sunglasses were dispensed to everyone along with instructions on when they will be required to go for a post-op check-up in Waling. Once the formalities were over, everyone headed to the canteen for lunch before we waved the buses off and we all headed back home.
A Himalayan thank you to Joh Sharma, for raising most of the money required to cover 100% of the costs relating to these surgeries, through her CatarAct of Kindness book donation project she runs from her beautiful shop in south Australia, Kutumba Global Treasuers. Through her and her customers kindness and selfless acts, alongside additional donations from Julia Weddell of Amica Felt, Jon & Carole Paish of Bridge Cafe B&B, Brecon, Wales and John Dear who last year ran the Everest Marathon to raise funds for our camps, 30 people have now had their sight restored.
Finally, a massive thank you once again to Tila and Kumar, the rocks behind these camps and surgeries, who act with such grace, patience and kindness no matter the situation.
