Dr. Sawyer's Family Serving in Developing Countries: What does TIA mean?

Robert Emmons, perhaps the world’s leading scientific expert on gratitude, argues that gratitude has two key components, which he describes in a Greater Good essay, “Why Gratitude Is Good.”

“First,” he writes, “it’s an affirmation of goodness. We affirm that there are good things in the world, gifts and benefits we’ve received.”

In the second part of gratitude, he explains, “we recognize that the sources of this goodness are outside of ourselves. … We acknowledge that other people—or even higher powers, if you’re of a spiritual mindset—gave us many gifts, big and small, to help us achieve the goodness in our lives.”

TIA is the abbreviation for transient ischemic attack, which some people refer to as a mini-stroke. However, here in Cameroon TIA means, "This Is Africa." I think of "TIA" when I think of the obstacles, or truly mountains that need to be moved, as we look at how do we move forward here with such enormous issues as prevention of cervical cancer, or early diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer here in Africa. I think of TIA when I use a pair of surgical scissors that don't cut; indeed not performing the very function for which the scissors were designed.

We had been made aware that many of the surgical instruments at the hospital here at Mbingo were decades old and in various states of disrepair and dysfunction. Over the past year many of the readers of this blog had donated tens of thousands of dollars in order for us to place a special order for new surgical instruments for Mbingo Baptist Hospital in Cameroon, West Africa.

When we arrived with extra suitcases filled to fifty pounds, and several to seventy pounds, crammed full of brand new, never used, high quality, stainless steel surgical instruments, there was a ripple effect that happened here at the hospital. There was a buzz among the surgeons. The operating room staff were talking. The surgical residents were elated. Even the CEO of the hospital was very aware and extremely grateful for this gift.

The two components of gratitude are expressing gratefulness for the gifts received, and recognizing that we could not have done this great thing without you. On behalf of the hundreds of people who work at Mbingo Baptist Hospital, and the thousands of patients who will benefit from your gift, thank you!

Operating Theater Director Jackie Griffin, Nurse Beverly, Head Surgeon Dr. Jim Brown and Dr. Allan Sawyer survey the gifts of surgical instruments, gowns, drapes, sutures, surgical loupes, surgical headlights and surgical dressings brought to Mbingo Baptist Hospital in Cameroon, West Africa.

Central Sterile Director Ben and Operating Theater Director Jacqueline Griffin demonstrate the folding and unfolding of surgical drapes for a video made by Andrew Sawyer and Ty Nowatzki to be used for staff and surgeon instruction.

Surgical instruments on a Mayo stand preparing for surgery. Note the kitchen towels being used for surgical towels.

Removing a large ovarian tumor and cancer staging.
Left to Right: Dr. Carol Loescher, scrub tech, Dr. Sama Akanyum, Dr. Sawyer, anesthetist Mr. Gilbert