DiariesTzu Chi Hospitals

of

Taipei Never Give Up: New Life Starts!

Heart Transplantation 2011.09.14

Under the cooperation of the Taipei

Tzu Chi General Hospital medical team,

the fifth heart transplant patient was

discharged September 14, restarting life

with a new heart!

A Regular Person Passes Love by Organ Donation

In August 2009, Mr. Lin, 48 and with

no high blood pressure and history of heart

disease, suddenly experienced shortness

of breath and cold sweats, and sought

medical care at a major hospital in New

Taipei City, Taiwan. He was diagnosed

with terminal stage of heart failure. Yet two

coronary catheter operations were unable

to improve his condition. Last year in

June, Mr. Lin went to seek care at Taipei

Tzu Chi Hospital’s cardiology outpatient

cl inic with Dr. Kuan-Hung Yeh, then

transferred to the surgical unit to undergo

coronary artery operation by Dr. Kuei-Ton

Tsai. However after surgery, his condition

was still not much improved. Dr. Tsai’s

assessment was that the patient needed

a heart transplant. While waiting for the

transplant, Mr. Lin was in and out of the

hospital numerous times, with average

stay of one to two weeks per month, and

his heart has even stopped, and was only

resuscitated through defibrillation. Having

been at the brink of death several times

and feeling hopeless,

Mr. Lin completely

gave up on himself.

Unti l early July

th is year, Tzu Ch i

Hosp i ta l rece i ved

a n o t i c e t h a t a

matching heart of a

56-year old organ-

donor be transplanted

to awaiting Mr. Lin.

The organ donation

On Sept. 2011, Taipei Tzu Chi General Hospital successfully completed the f i f th heart transplant surgery.

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team immediately notified Mr. Lin, and

cardiac surgery director Ta-Chung Shen

immediately led the medial team via

ambulance to the site to remove the heart

of the donor. At the same time, Dr. Tsai’s

team at Taipei Tzu Chi General started

preparations to remove Mr. Lin’s heart.

Director Shen recalled, “Actually,

there were two transplant opportunities

before, but the (transplant) hearts were

not very healthy. I wanted to make the

best decision for the patient, so had to

refuse it reluctantly. This time I judged

it was a usable heart and couldn’t lose

this opportunity, and must hold on to this

karmic opportunity…”

Director Shen and Dr. Tsai’s team

members a l ready had exper i ence

in team work on four previous heart

transplants, and were full of confidence.

The operation proceeded very smoothly.

The transplanted heart restarted beating.

However, during the post-operation stay in

the ICU, Mr. Lin subsequently experienced

severe pneumonia, pleural effusion, septic

shock, acute renal failure, and needed

kidney dialysis. His condition became

less optimistic Hospital Superintendent

Mr. Lin posted a photo of Dharma Master Cheng Yen, which gave him spiritual support and calmed his nervous heart.Mr.Lin gave special thanks to Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital’s medical team at the farewell party for their hard work and care. From left, Deputy Superintendent Yao-Jen Chang, Superintendent You-Chen Chao, Mr. Lin, heart surgeons Dr. Kuei-Ton Tsai and Dr. Ta-Chung Shen.

You-Chen Chao gathered the medical

team to discuss his conditions, and the

cardiac surgery, thoracic and kidney

internal medicine, infectious disease unit,

breathing treatment, and ICU teams did

their best to rescue Mr. Lin. Mr. Lin’s

conditions were stabilized only after

numerous cross-department discussions

with the medical team. Dr. Tsai said, “The

occurrence of these conditions after

transplant made me worry, but fortunately

each medical team cooperated tacitly,

no one gave up, and made full effort to

rescue his life.”

Patients Encourage Each Other

After a month of continuous rescuing

in the ICU, Mr. Lin finally came out of

trauma and was transferred to the general

ward. Above the head of Mr. Lin’s bed, he

posted a photograph of Dharma Master

Cheng Yen. He said, “When I was in the

ICU, I kept having nightmares and didn’t

dare to fall asleep. The nurse put up

the Master’s picture for me. Probably

the Master gave me courage, my mind

became very peaceful. I normally don’t

believe in any religion, but I only believe

in the Master.” He fully cooperated with

the doctor’s orders to rehabilitate. He

was very grateful for the diligent care by

the nurse of Ward 13B, and developed a

deep bond with the medical team. Head

nurse Liao Wanting said, “I really admire

the perseverance and tenacity that Mr. Lin

showed!”

During his hospital stay, Mr. Lin hired

a personal care nurse Miss Wang for his

care. She was deeply moved by the spirit

of the medical care team to diligently

rescue Mr. Lin during those days. She

said, “Mr. Lin went in and out of the

hospital several times, and even when

Mr. Lin himself gave up on himself, the

medical teams refused to give up on Mr.

Lin, and pulled Mr. Lin out from the gates

of hell and restored him to full health.”

Original ly Mr. Lin had hired 24-hour

personal nursing care, but toward the end

due to his good recovery, only half a day

of care was needed. However, Miss Wang

voluntarily took care of him twenty-four

hours a day, and only charged the cost of

half-day. Miss Wang said modestly, “The

hospital has already mobilized so many

resources to help Mr. Lin, collecting a little

less money is really nothing.”

On September 14, Taipei Tzu Chi

Hospital held a discharge farewell party

for Mr. Lin. For his heart transplant, Taipei

Tzu Chi General Hospital mobilized dozens

of medical and administrative personnel

throughout, and staff were deeply touched

to see that Mr. Lin was able to recover.

Mr. Lin said,” Director Chao encouraged

me that now that I have a good heart and

healthy body, I should make good use

of it, and do more beneficial things for all

mankind.”

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Hualien Surgical ICU Brought Surprise for the Nursery Children Before

X’mas 2011.12.24

“Dong Dong Dong, Ha!” Kids of

the Zen-Light Children’s Nursery Center

welcomed their guests by playing drums.

On the day of December 24th, right before

Christmas Eve, doctors and nurses of

the surgical ICU brought gifts for these

children and wish them a happy holiday.

The gifts were donations the Surgical ICU

team collected from the hospital staff, their

friends and families.

Kids who live in the Zen-Light, some

orphans, most of them are from very

poor and maybe single parent families.

Li-Chuan Cheng, Head Nurse of SICU,

encouraged colleagues to bring their birth

children to join this activity, so that they

can help others and learn how lucky they

are to have a warm family.

Dr. Guan-Jin Ho, Director of SICU,

and Head Nurse Cheng, Tzu Chi volunteer

Despite the cold weather, the Surgical ICU team of Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital visited the Zen-Light Children’s Nursery Center right before X’mas.

The third heart transplant patient

of Taipei Tzu Chi General Hospital, Mr.

Chang, came to cheer up Mr. Lin. A year

ago, he had a successful heart transplant,

and since then he launched his colorful

new life. He said, “I am very grateful

for the care of the medical team. I’m

now learning to practice environmental

conservation!” He also hopes to have

the opportunity to return to Hualien,

to become a volunteer to express his

gratitude.

The meeting of the two patients

who both underwent heart transplant at

Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital at the party was

a happy occasion. The birthday cake

candles shone on the two heart transplant

patients’ ruddy face. Although they held

back emotions, the gratefulness of the

two fellow patients toward Master Cheng

Yen and Taipei Tzu Chi General Hospital

a lso moved the hearts of everyone

present. Especially under the insistence of

“not giving up” by the medical team, they

not only saved two lives, but also inspired

“renewal” of their spiritual life . (Written by

Li-Huei Hsu)

Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital invited special guest Mr. Chang, the third heart transplant patient, to the event to share his experience and encourage Mr. Lin.

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sister Su-Tzu and SICU team members

carrying all sorts of gifts to the nursery.

Around 20 children said out loud “Merry

X’mas!” to our medical staff at the

entrance.

Santa Teaching the Oral Health“Santa Claus!” Seeing the Santa,

the children shouted with excitement,

however, this Santa is dressed by Lin

Zhuang-Wei, a male nurse. But he’s too

slim to fit the Santa’s big belly, it constantly

slipped, causing the laughter of children!

“Daddy pulls a buffalo, through the

edge of the rice field...” With Sister Su

chanting and dancing with this song,

children soon warmed up trying to keep

up with the beat, small hands and feet

wiggling. “Come, come to me,” our young

nurses acted like big sisters with open

arms to embrace the children, like a hen

guarding chicks. The kids were all so

happy. Then followed by the action play

of the oral health care our SICU team

prepared.

“Ouch, my tooth hurts.” Nurse Shu-

Chen Liao wearing cute elk horns holding

her cheek. She played an elk went to

bed without brushing teeth after eating

candies. “Kid, Can you give me your

candy?” “Oh! Come on, watch me sleep

for a while!” Nurse Liao and the Santa

nurse Lin attracted the little audience’s

attention with humor, children’s laughter

filled the air. “Wait a minute, let me wear

my teeth.” Nurse Liao took out a giant

teeth model, and asked “who knows

how to properly brush your teeth?” “Me,

me.” After the kids’ trials, the nurses

demonstrated and gave a lesson of oral

health.

And it’s about to end today’s activity.

To thanks the visitors in return, the children

performed traditional Chinese lion dance.

All the SICU team members were

moved by these kids. Sister Su-Tzu

said, “I met a kid in the restroom, she

said with tears that’ I miss my mom,’ so

I encouraged her and gave her a warm

big hug. It’s nice that you(SICU members)

come here to show that they were not

forgotten.”

Shared the Jing Si Aporisms Resulted in this Caring Trip

“ As we aid others, we are in fact

also sowing blessings for ourselves.”

Nurse Kui-Jin Chang shared this Jing Si

Aphorism with staff three months ago in

the unit routine meeting, then resulted in

this Zen-Light visiting tour. Head Nurse

Li-Chuan Cheng promoted “One Jing Si

Aphorism A Day” activity in the SICU. She

hoped that the nursing staff could calm

their minds in such tight working schedule

and brought the patients better care.

And it worked. Most nurses are female

around their 20s, so they decided to visit

Zen-Light Children’s Nursery Center first

(instead of the elderly nursery), and they

were very glad that all sorts of donation

coming to support this event. Head

Nurse Cheng said, “Our team members

are young and heartfelt, they’ve being

donated to the World Vision fundraising

for two kids’ living expenses for years.

Every time they get the kids’ thank you

card, I can see how happy they are.”

Though busy at work, having spent

extra time to have fulfilled this activity to

care for the needy kids, the whole team

feel all efforts are worth it.

Nurse Shu-Chen Liao plays as a teeth-aching elf, and nurse Chuang-Wei Lin as a too slim Santa. They perform a drama to teach the children about the oral cleaning.

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Kuanshan Changbin Free Clinic Treating

Chronic and Emergency Cases 2011.11.27

The Eastern Chapter of TIMA finally

held a free clinic in Taitung County’s

town of Changbin on Nov. 27. This time

more than twenty people from Kuanshan

Tzu Chi General Hospital volunteered to

help. Early in the morning, the colleagues

happily got together to organize and

pack the medical equipment required for

physical check-ups. They departed from

Kuanshan, excited with their forthcoming

service assignment. As they traveled along

the winding mountain road, everyone was

keen on serving this small coastal village.

This time at the TIMA’s clinic, Dr.

Yi-Lang Huang from Kuanshan Tzu

Chi Hospi ta l is responsib le for the

appointments in Internal Medicine. When

the volunteers arrived at the clinic site,

they found Dr. Huang had arrived early

and prepared everything. He was already

carefully examining a grandmother. Dr.

Huang had previously volunteered for the

Eastern TIMA’s free clinics in the towns of

Chengkung and Taimali in Taitung County.

But he was unable to make the trip. So

when the Changbin TIMA free clinic was

confirmed, he immediately volunteered

to participate. At Kuanshan Tzu Chi

Hospital, Dr. Huang regularly goes to the

Li Dao village every Friday and Saturday

to provide the IDS(Integrated Delivery

System) medical services for the people.

In comparing the IDS services with the free

clinic services, Dr. Huang finds the TIMA

free clinic offers a lot more resources and

services. His experience at the free clinic

made him realized the lack and needs

of medical services at IDS mountainous

service areas. He also recognizes that

even though the medical services provided

at the IDS remote mountainous areas are

limited but absolutely necessary!

This time TIMA has professionals

attending from different specialties of

medicine, including orthopedics, internists,

ophthalmologists, dentists and traditional

Chinese medicine doctors. There are even

hairdressers volunteering to cut hair. In

fact, many of Changbin’s residents are

older or immobile. Mr. Wu is one of the

patients who came to the clinic. He had

brain surgery in 1997. He lost strength

on the left side of his body and especially

his upper limb. This time he came to the

clinic hoping to see a Chinese medicine

doctor to improve his symptoms. He really

appreciates Tzu Chi volunteers coming to

Changbin on a holiday to help the people.

After receiving treatment, his body feels

much more comfortable!

When the clinic was about to end,

a person with a head wound arrived.

He said he accidentally fell when riding

his bike. He had used a trash bag to

dress his wounds. Shu-Pin Wu, a nurse,

saw the patient and she immediately

helped to cleanse the wound to allow

the surgeon to suture up the opening.

They succeeded in treating this patient.

The medical staff told this elderly patient

that if he head does not feel well in the

next three days, he must seek immediate

medical attention. Moreover, they advised

him to pay attention to safety while riding

his bike. TIMA fortunately provided the

medical service that day. Otherwise, he

would have had to travel 70 km to Taitung

for medical treatment.

Finally, everyone worked together

to restore the cl inic site back to its

original state so that the County Health

Department workers can function normally

when they return on Monday. On this

day, this free clinic served a total of 156

patients, and 256 encounters. We look

forward to see everyone at the next TIMA

free clinic at Taimali.

150 local people came to the TIMA Changbin free clinic for health check-ups.

Also at the free clinic, hairdressers volunteer their good skills and make everyone feel good in both body and mind.

150 local people came to the TIMA Changbin free clinic After a long absence, the Eastern Chapter of TIMA finally scheduled a free clinic at the town of Changbin in Taitung County..

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Yuli It Is Never too Late to Exercise

2011.12.16

Yuli Tzu Chi Hospital’s endeavor in the

propagation of “Senior Health Promotion”

had earned the recognizitation by Hualien

County Health Bureau Department.

The hospital was invited to assume the

representatives of health exercise during

the presentation of “Hualien County

silver Healthy Club”On the morning of

Dec. 16th,. . Elders performed their hula

exercise, demonstrating the result of their

daily gymnastic exercises and received

warm applause from the audience.

Looked at the grandparents and their

vibrant performance made two hundred

fifty participants moved along with the

beat. People realized it’s never too late to

exercise.

According to 2009 hospital outpatient

disease statistics, in the top ten diseases

among the age group of 65 or above ,

“joint degeneration and related diseases”

was ranked first, with an estimation of

24.7%.The Bureau of Health Promotion

also pointed out a long-term regular

exercise can enhance the adaptability

in both physiology and psychology. It’s

also showed that regulary exercise can

effectively slow down joints degradation.

Therefore, in order to promote the

phys ica l and menta l heal th among

elderly, since March 2011, Yuli Tzu Chi

Hospital started promote regular exercise

for the elderly by condensing the hula

gymnastic exercises and modify the

routine tailored to seniors; lead by local

groups, daily exercise routine is held

at 5:30am everyday. With the hospital

vigorously promoting,, a total of seven

communities had already established

sports groups, with one hundred twenty-

seven elderly maintain their daily exercise

habits, and receiving continued monitoring

and counseling. Therefore, the Bureau of

Health Promotion, Hualien County,invited

specifically Yuli Tzu Chi Tzu CHi Hospital

as one of the representative to perform

among other twenty two participating

groups.

This invitation is not only a recognition

of Yuli Tzu Chi Hospital,, but also as a

glory for the participating elders. In order

to present their best, elders of Yuli and

Sanmin townships gathered for intensive

t ra in ing a week pr ior to the event.

Volunteers helped them to select their

performance costume. Furthermore, it is a

long drive from Yuli Township to the Hualien

city, Tzu Chi hospital thoughtfully assigned

Dr. Chia Sen Lin to accompany with

these elders in case of any emergency.

Sure enough, their performance certainly

moved each audience. When the elders

wearing bib, putting make up, and tiding

red ribbons on their hair, they already

astounded the audiences. Watching these

grandmas and grandpas indulged in the

gymnastic exercises, the “young people” in

their early fifties expressed the will to look

up to these elders and began to move to

the beat.

Superintendent Yulin Chang of Yuli

Tzu Chi Hospital said that “Although Yuli

Tzu Chi Hospital is a small community

hospital , but i f we have a post i t ive

m indse t , we can s t i l l p romote an

integrated large-scale community plan.

We may be limited in funding; however,

integrated with the community’s recourse

and maximize its utilization, we still can

increase the number of elders participating

in regular exercise. Moreover, if we have

continuously setting a target, eventually

health promotion can be sustained in

the community and become enduring

activity. A elder Baoyu Huang, 84-year-

old, echoed the superintendent’s speech.

She shared her personal experiences

after jointed in the regular exercise group.

“I used to lived in the the Shuiwei (now

Rueishui) township. I had a opportunity to

know this exercise group in Yuli township,

I enjoy it a lot. As result, I decided to

move to Yuli and stayed with my daughter.

I used to do nothing whole day, like a

silly elderly. Since I jointed daily exercise

group, I felt I am a totally different person.

Everyone really should come out more

often, to make friends, to exercise, and to

stop being a boring elder.“

The little kids costume amazed the audience. By looking at these elderly, you know it’s never too late to start exercise.

Grandma Baoyu Huang (left) shared her personal experiences. She encouraged other elders to exercise more often. Don’t just stay home and become a boring elder.

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Taichung Joy of Hunting for Treasures

2011.11.30

On November 30th, the lobby of the

Tzu Chi Taichung hospital was converted

into a large-scale flea market. As part

of the “appreciate blessings” campaign,

staff members and volunteers vigorously

promoted their second-hand goods and

attracted a large crowd of people who

came to find bargains. The “appreciate

b l ess i ngs ” campa ign echoed t he

worldwide fundraising campaign to help

the victims of flooding in Thailand.

Charity Fundraising: appreciating blessings and treasures

In the early morning of November

30th before the clinic opened, a myriad of

booths had been set up in the main lobby

of the Taichung Tzu Chi hospital. A variety

of tasty homemade snacks, calligraphic

couplets, potted plants, used appliances,

handcrafted beaded straps, clothes,

purses, shoes and secondhand jewels

dazzled the eyes of the bargain-hunters.

Along with volunteer Jean-Chi, the

radiology department head Tai-Chen Liu

managed the bazar.

The lobby was enlivened with hospital

Superintendent Tzu-Yung Chen’s dance

called “Dad’s Buffalo Yoke”. During the

auction that followed, a scaled-down

version of the “Buddha cares for a

patient” mosaic” and a “Swarovski crystal

decoration” both found their destined

owners successfully.

S e c r e t a r y J e a n - W e n S h i h o f

Information Department, Taichung city,

also pitched in. He bought a sand painting

for TWD 5000 and then donated it for

auction. The sand painting was finally

bought by Jean-Rue Lu for TWD 6000.

Superintendent Tzu-Yung Chen and

Vice Superintendent Shu-Ting Chuang

wove among the booths to promote the

fundraising activities to help the flood

victims in Thailand. Mr. Chen purchased

an adorable doll to give to the customer

service office, hoping that it would help

soothe visitor’s complaints.

Vice Superintendent Jen-Shu Wang

bought a blanket for his grandchild. In

addition, Vice Superintendent Nan-Ron

Hsu put up for auction a photo taken by

volunteer Tsi-Sean Chen of the Tzu Chi

Adobe at sunrise. The photo found a

bidder in short order.

The popular food court was sold

out in just two hours. Tzu Chi volunteers

from Changhua brought over a hundred

bonsa i s f rom Huwe i , and f e s t i v e

calligraphic couplets also drew a lot of

attention.Superintendent Tzu-Yung Chen ushered the bazar and danced “Dad’s Buffalo Yoke.”

Capped in a straw hat, Vice Superintendent Jen-Shu Wang found his own “treasure” of a blanket, which he intends to use to tuck in his grandchild someday.

The spacious lobby was lined with all kinds of booths and drew large bargain-seeking crowds.

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Huei-Bee Shu who came from Tai-

Pin said, “Deeds of goodwill through good

deals, what a bargain!”

One interesting story happened in the

clothing section. Last year, a visitor bought

more than ten name-brand items donated

by Director Chewa Chen of Pharmacy.

Before she left, she had beseeched

Chewa to let her know when bargains will

be available again.

The same lady came across the

“appreciate blessings” event this year.

Chewa greeted her, “Hi, that looks familiar!

Is that skirt you are wearing one that you

bought from me last year?” She chuckled

while continuing to shop.

This is the second year Tzu Chi

Taichung hospital has sponsored a

second-hand goods fundraising bazar.

With more items for sale and a more

spacious location than before, the crowd

vying for bargains emptied many booths

in no time.

At the end, two enthusiastic hosts led

everyone to sing “We Are Family.” With

participation of all, the goodwill will trickle

into a larger pool and then be channeled

to the afflicted victims in Thailand.

Among variety of commodities, the little monk models, which are made by Jing Si Abode Dharma Masters, drew curiosity from the shoppers

In the midst of a hundred mini bonsai brought from Changhua, the crowd picked the ones they liked the most and willingly paid a handsome sum for them.

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