Brazil Day 6

It was a long day today. We set out at 8am this morning and got back at 10pm.  The good news is that a lot of people in the group placed a lot of implants today.  For me and Margaret it was a very frustrating day.  The intention was that Aalok and I would share the first case which was 9 implants and Margaret would operate in the afternoon.  Aalok asked me if he could operate first so that he wouldn't be so tired.  It was the other way around the day before so I agreed.  Aalok would start by placing 4 implants the upper jaw and I would then place 5 in the lower.  Unfortunately the difficulties with the upper jaw were such that the operation on the lower jaw had to be abandoned.  There are no arguments from me on that.  I would have abandoned it too if it had been my decision.  It was just frustrating.  My disappointment must have been showing because Kelly told me to smile, "Smile you're in Brazil!". She was right.

The upshot of this was that Margaret's intended case in the afternoon then became my case.  However when the area was exposed surgically it became clear that it would not be possible to place implants in the conventional way.  Prof Palhari took over the case and performed one of his miracles.  This was interesting in itself but it left me having placed only 2 implants and Margaret 4.

The best part of the day was when Margaret and I went for a walk in the town at lunchtime.  She is a very calming influence on me.  She is a devout catholic and after blowing off some steam we called into the local church and got centred again.

Margaret at Pindamonhangaba railway station.  Astonishingly people just wander over the railway line here.  In fact the main shopping streets cross the railway line just in front of here.

Things took a turn for the better very late on.  At about 9pm it became clear that there had been some kind of mix up with one of the other patients.  He was expecting one more implant than he received.  He complained that he hadn't had his money's worth and the Department agreed that he could stay and have another one fitted.  I was asked to place it with Raj assisting.  Raj is one cool dental assistant. We had it done in about 25 minutes from a standing start.  Raj told me that it was a lightening fast implant.  I'm taking that as a gracious compliment, thank you.

Raj does his nursing stuff.  He's great at that

We were supervised by Marcelo who is also a very gifted teacher.  The guys at the Department have now started looking at this website and I have had to explain what I meant by "charming".  It's a compliment, honestly !

Kelly and Marcelo on the clinic

Margaret and I are now at the bottom of the league table for implants placed.  She has placed 4 and I have placed 3. The intention is that we should all place 10 each.  Everyone seems aware of the problem and Prof has been discussing with me how it can be resolved.  Tomorrow is the last day and I'm hoping for a good one.  We have an early start at 8am to try and get as much done as possible.

TIP OF THE DAY

My doctor told me before I came that a lot of surgeons who work standing all day wear flight socks. I've been trying this and it seems to be working out very well. Where some of the others are getting tired legs and swollen ankles I am absolutely fine.  Nadeem is going to borrow a pair of mine today to see how he gets on.  They are clean ones Nadeem, really!

VICTORIA

Vicky has left to go home for her best' friend's wedding.  She got 5 implants done which is a good score under the circumstances.  Before she left, Raj made a video of her performing David Brent's dance from "The Office".  For the full glory of Victoria's performance see this page.