So far 66 women have been screened for VVF surgery, and amazingly, most of them (60) are viable candidates. So, for those of you who don't know what VVF stands for, it is the acronym for 'Vesico-vaginal Fistula'. Basically it is a hole between the bladder and the vagina (I'm a nurse so I don't get embarrassed by this word. Haha!) It is usually is caused by obstructed child birth, and it causes the woman to leak urine constantly. I was able to work with the VVf patients a little bit last year when I was here, but hope to get to even more this year.
Sometimes it is hard to find these women that so badly need our help because they are outcasts in their society and hide, or are hidden away. So it is wonderful news that we already have 60 patients. Several of them are here because a patient who had VVf surgery on the ship last year, in Benin, went with her brother to the places where they knew these ladies were, and brought them, or told them to come to the ship. It is always nice to see people who have been helped bringing others to get help.
So our first three patients had their surgery yesterday, May 25th, and are doing great so far! I'm looking forward to seeing the wonderful transformations in these ladies over the next weeks. As they go from being embarrassed, ashamed, and rejected; to smiling, outgoing, and confident.
Here are a few pictures of some of our beautiful patients from last year.
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