Making a difference now, not later
By Joe Yungbluth, Nurse anesthetist
Why did I join Project Bangladesh? I felt I was at a stage in my life when I could give back to people something more than just money. I was hoping to be able to make a difference in the lives of those not as fortunate as myself. I had attempted surgical missions in the past but they never happened for one reason or another. I worked with Dr. Sobhan, who had gone on two prior missions using the services of two anesthesiologists from my group. I felt that this was right for me. I asked him about joining a trip, he agreed and I went to Bangladesh for the first time in January 2001 and again in November 2006, February 2008 and this last mission in March 2009. I found it to be extremely challenging and personally and professionally rewarding. To this date, I am not sure who gets more from each mission: the patients I provide anesthesia to, or myself. I guess I will just have to keep going until I can answer that question.
What makes me the right kind of person for these missions? I believe the desire to be on the mission is probably the most important. Second, you have to remember why you went on the mission: the patients and their anesthetic and surgery needs are more important than my needs. Finally, you must be flexible. You may be giving an anesthetic with drugs that were brought from the US, but you are administering them in a third world country, with a third world anesthesia machine in a third world Operating Room. You can’t control every facet of patient care. You must be as willing to adapt to their ways as they must adapt to my anesthetic techniques.
How has being a part of the mission affected my life? I believe the answer is “I don’t worry too much about the little things.” When you see what others must endure on a daily basis, it makes me appreciate what I have and not to worry too much about what I don’t have. Things will always go wrong in life, do your best to adjust and remember to appreciate when they go right.
My most memorable experience? My Bangladeshi patients do not speak English. I do not speak Bengali. To look into their eyes before and after their anesthetics, especially the parents of the children, gives me such a depth of connection with them. It reminds me that we are all children of God, regardless of where we live and Who we call God. To know that I had a small part in making their lives a little better has given me memories of a lifetime and the desire to produce more memories.
After my third mission, I spoke with an anesthesiologist and former colleague, Dr. Barry Dayton. He made the statement “that if you ever have thought about going on a mission of this type, then stop talking about it and do it.” I am glad that I can say I have done it. I will concur with Dr Dayton. If you have ever said to yourself, “I should do this,” then you should do it now, not later. It will make you look at yourself through different eyes for the rest of your life.