Finished early.

3 days, 52 patients, 59 joints. Busy day yesterday With no down time but we got it done. Today we packed up and worked with the patients. There were lots of photo ops. The first lady came to see us  and get in on the photos. Great exposure for OpWalk. I have to say That Working with Kevin over the last days have been great. A very smart and experienced nurse, Kevin has done so many mission s His invaluable guidance has been. Not to mention His Spanish. "Kevin, I need to borrow your Spanish". We work very well together. In fact the whole crew works well together. No bitching, or complaining. The job gets done. Tonight we go to the canal for a nice dinner. Last night We went to Jimmy's and it was great. Lots of sangria and bourbon.

 Jim hamin 'it up.

 Rosa a nurse Assigned to us by the hospital. She Could make anything happen. Could not have done it without her

 This is the only time I saw MacGeiver not running. Could I run at top speed with a gurney full of stuff OR-through halls and parking lots and not drop anything. Another person That can get anything done, just thus the name.

 Jim upstaging During His speech. My own private joke.

 The Porter nurses.

 My meal, Which was fantastic.

 Jose and his new knee.

 The boss.

 4 c-arms That never moved. Nice to have if there is somebody That knows how to use them, Apparently Which is the problem.

With Porter ICU nurses and MDs.

Another wonderful couple of days.

Thanks for reading

Craig

First two days...

Busy busy busy ... Sit still, repeat.

Two days, 36surgeries. These patients are amazing. Very thankful for what They Have Received. Most do not need any pain meds, probably needed three Tylenol. One guy was so thankful he was crying

This guy was walking up a few hours later. He wanted to walk in PACU, maybe out of it. Average User have to bend His leg reliable in 4years, since a car accident. Many patients Have lost the use-through joints of rheumatoid arthritis. Here are photos of the day ...

 PACU murses

 Better xray machines than we have.

 My Latina cougar.

 A view outside the PACU, a pharmacy and a funeral home open

Modified signs needed for male nurses.

Thanks for reading.

Craig.

Clinic day

Wow what a day! What's it like to walk around the corner to a group of people waiting to see of They Qualify for surgery and They All chear When They see you? Its awesome. It brought tears to my eyes.

Seriously it was great. We did vitals and took a med history. Some people traveled long distances to have the possibility of getting a new knee or hip. Canes and crutches, limping in. A few will get both knees done at the same time and probably leave with a few oxycodone and Tylenol. The hospital is different than Porter, not in a bad way just different. There are additions on additions. The hallways ...

Are pretty. We explored a little around the hospital too.

The hospital is across the street from Panama bay. Tomorrow the surgeries start.

PS the hotel is no joke.

Thanks for reading. I wrote this on my phone so I hope its readable.

Headed to Panama.

Unfortunately without my bike, however I will try to find one to ride at least once. Need to document it on Strava of course.

I am headed to Panama with a group of Operation Walk. I will be a PACU nurse taking care of patients that have just had knees and hips replaced. I am soooo looking forward to it. I havent written in this blog for almost two years but thought that things were looking pretty interesting so here we go.

I will post some pictures when I am in Panama doing this gig. I will be working some pretty top notch surgeons, MD's, Nurses and other personnel. This group has been doing this for 9years, I think, and they have been generous enough to invite me this year. We will be there for 7days, helping 65 people or so. 75 Joints.

On a Biking point, I am planning on riding across Colorado in 6days. Stats; 625 miles, 40k feet of climbing. August 8-13. I am taking two friends, Marshall and Dan. I hope they are up to the task, I need the company. I have putting in some big climbing days to build the legs, not fast, just climbing. I will have this week off in Panama then Ill get some more climbing days in. There is a challenge in Strava now for 9k meters in the month of April. with my ride yesterday my total is now 8833meters. I hope to get a few in Panama to hit the mark before I return. We shall see, Ill post some pictures here of the trip. Check back if your interested.

Craig.

PS. There is a link to the OpWalk donation page if you are interested in helping with the cause. You may have to cut and paste the whole address into your browser.

http://www.givingzone.com/project/LB0qDQ7IB1/opwalk-denver-panama-april-2015