Did it for grandchildren

This so far is the most emotional patient we have treated during this mission. We are now treating patients in Phong Dien, a small suburb 40 minutes from our hotel in Can Tho. About half way through the day, this patient arrived at our intake station being carried by her daughter and accompanied by a young boy. When they placed her carefully in a seat, she was missing both arms below the elbow and both legs below the near. A quad amputee. Here is her story:

A few years ago while baby sitting her grandchildren, she developed chest pain. Her family took her to a local hospital where it was discovered she was having a heart attack. Her hear rate slowed dramatically, which caused acute kidney damage. Her heart stopped beating and a code was called. The medical team tried to revive her heart with two different medications which failed to bring her back to life. The doctors told her family that they have one other medication they can use to attempt to revive her, and there is a good chance it will work. They also discussed the dangers if the medication saying there is also a strong possibility that it will cause her to develop multiple clots in her body. The family decided to accept the treatment in order for her to watch her grandchildren grow up.
The treatment worked and her heart started beating. Within 2 days, she developed clots in all 4 extremities. The doctors said that, now the best way to keep her alive is to perform quad amputation.
After the surgery, they attempted to fit her for prosthetic limbs, however, she told them it was too painful to walk and she stopped trying to use them. For years she has to have family take care of her for everything.
Today, our team was able to fit her with two properly fitting prosthetic legs and cast her to make 2 prosthetic arms that will be sent to her in December.

As they were interviewing her, she said that "she is so happy to now be able to start to walk again. She can now start to do things on her own. She can not wait to get home and set up a pratice area where she can get stronger and more independent. She is overwhelmed with joy, love and affection for our team for helping to give her her life back!!!"

Our teammate Molly, who assisted with the fitting told her that today was her birthday and that seeing her happy and able to walk is the best gift she could ever receive. With no prompting the woman teared, hugged Molly, and sang Happy Birthday in English.

At this point, all team members present broke into tears!!!

This is what selfless charity work is all about. Seeing the work we do, change lives forever!!!!