Once again, I would like to thank the doctors who are treating me at the Punta Europa Hospital in Algeciras, because thanks to them and to God, I no longer have to return to the Oncology Department to receive the chemotherapy treatment, which I underwent over ten sessions.
I am not yet fully recovered, but following various tests, the doctors’ thorough assessment, the excellent work and kindness of the nurses, and also thanks to the trust I have placed in them all, I can see the end of this debilitating illness drawing ever closer.
But today I don’t want to talk any more about my own case, because I feel very fortunate with what I have; rather, I want to talk about Dr Cavadas, because a few weeks ago I came across two articles about him.
Pedro Cavadas is one of the world’s most renowned reconstructive surgeons — he’s from Valencia— and every year he travels to the heart of Tanzania to treat as many patients as possible. This year, he has done so to tackle one of the greatest challenges of his career: operating on more than a hundred patients in a field hospital, with very limited resources and in extremely basic conditions.
Pedro does not appear on television very often; I am convinced that this is because he does not seek to be the centre of attention, and when he does, it is to raise awareness of his patients’ situation. Over a year ago, I saw an interview with him in which he said that when he has holidays, instead of going to the beach, he goes wherever there are marginalised patients. And this year he has taken part in a documentary series about his trip to Tanzania with his team. The docuseries is called: ‘Operation Africa’.
On this trip, Dr Cavadas was able to witness not only the physical pain but also the mental suffering of these poor people, who often resign themselves to merely surviving in such harsh conditions. He himself says: “There is nothing gentle or kind here; everything hurts.”.
During all the trips they have undertaken, they have established what are known as ‘return consultations’, which are for those patients who need follow-up care and eagerly await the return of the surgeon and his team — this year comprising nurse Lidia Pereda and anaesthetist Rocío Ortega.
Furthermore, there are patients who are pioneers in these treatments, and with them a surgical and medical process is initiated that can benefit other patients in Africa.
One example of this is Aina, a woman for whom Pedro Cavadas performed a nerve block on her hip so that she could walk without so much pain. Since Dr Cavadas began treating her, Aina has been able to lead a normal life; before, she could barely move.
Pedro Cavadas and his team have treated many such cases. The humility and humanity that Dr Cavadas exudes in his work is reflected in one of his sayings: “Medicine is one human being helping another.” And that is precisely what he has done for another patient (Mshangama), whom he has helped to lead a dignified life. Mshangama is a Maasai who, two years ago, suffered an accident and sustained an open fracture of the tibia. The wound became infected and, as it was not treated in time, he was unable to walk properly. Following a lengthy surgical operation and a period of recovery, Mshangama will be able to walk properly again.
Dr Cavadas’s generosity knows no bounds, and this was demonstrated when he and his team had already carried out their scheduled operations and were preparing to return to Spain; at the very last minute, a patient turned up with a serious knee injury. The patient’s name is Randy, and Pedro Cavadas decided to operate on him urgently, because if they had waited until the next trip, Randy’s condition would have worsened. The operation was a success and Randy can now walk and work to support his wife and children.
Pedro Cavadas and his team returned to Spain, satisfied that they had helped a great many people. They know they will be back, and Dr Cavadas says: “I’ll keep doing this for as long as my health allows.”