Several months ago, while Brannon was on his Trauma rotation at Harbor, he had a very special patient who became dear to his heart. "Morena" Lopez was 2 years old and had severe congenital bi-lateral hip dysplasia. Usually hip dysplasia is treated early with casts, harnesses, or traction but if severe, is operated around 1 year old. (Brannon, of course there are probably a lot of holes in this as I can't remember all medical jargon that spills out of your kissable lips). However, this sweet little hispanic girl's primary care doctor was to put it mildly - incompetent (I'm only guessing) and it went misdiagnosed until the family insisted that her limp wasn't going away and he finally sent her to Harbor. Surgery of this magnitude is hard on a two year old and as with all surgeries, there are many risks. Brannon (in Spanish) explained to the family that the surgery was still optional, weighing the risks, however LIFE changing, typically these surgeries have amazingly fantastic results. Still, the family was hesitant but sent their tiny tender child into surgery, leaving Brannon with the plea, "She is in your hands now, please take care of her."
I can't remember if she had an open reduction or an osteotomy, I'm sure Brannon will correct me but anyhow, one hip is operated on, the patient then recovered for 3 month and the second hip is then operated on. The poor girl and her family had to take a bus at 5am to be on-time for surgery that morning. The initial surgery went well (Let me explain that an attending Dr. did most of this surgery while Brannon assisted, he then took over her care post-operatively). However Brannon received a page a few days later that her blood counts were high. The weeks that followed were full of infections, followed by rounds of antibiotics, infections, antibiotics, etc. I could tell that Brannon's shoulders were just heavy with concern for this small patient who just as well could have been his daughter. He checked on her everyday, even when he had a day off, he would call to check in with whoever was on-call. Our kids included "the little girl in the hospital" in all of their prayers. The sweet mama of the little girl stayed with her day and night, even though she had a large family to care for. Brannon wondered when she ever showered because she was always at her bedside.
The day that she left the hospital was her 6 week post-op mark. "Morena" did finally recover and eventually had her second surgery which was free from infection. Brannon had already switched to another rotation at a different hospital and wasn't able to see her or her family again.
. . . . A couple weeks ago we went out to dinner (see pics at the very bottom) with some of the ortho clinic staff. We carpooled with Jaime and Mondona (below) and they started talking about Dr. Lopez. They asked me if I'd heard of Dr. Lopez. -No, who's he? They explained that in clinic, patients started to mention a Dr. Lopez. The residents and P.A.s were confused, there was no Dr. Lopez that worked there. Finally, one of the patients pointed him out in the hallway- "That's Dr. Lopez." Well, who do you think it was? It was Brannon. . . . So the staff questioned Brannon about it, he had no idea.
Days later, Dr. Chris (Mellano) noticed that Dr. Orton's badge had flipped over and on the back was a sticky note with a name on it. Brannon told him about the little girl and that he had written her name on the sticky note so that he could periodically check on how she was doing. "Morena" Lopez. Chris's lightbulb went off and the mystery was solved. All this time, the patients had been looking at Brannon's flipped over badge and thought Dr. Orton had (A STICKY NOTE- mind you) with his own name on it- hence Dr. Lopez. (You can make out said sticky note in the picture above).
I'm not exactly sure what I wish to convey with this story, only that I love Brannon with all of my being. He is such a dear and sensitive man in ways that never fail to surprise and touch my heart. I truly believe that Heavenly Father made him up special, that one. I couldn't ask for a more tender father to my children and husband to a sometimes crazy me. After a sobering week like this one, I just want you to know Brannon that I feel so honored to share my life with you for this small period of time on earth.
P.S. You are silly.
It was Moustache day at work: 1) Sometimes you guys have way too much fun at work 2) Brannon, did you really feel the need for a prop?
On Trauma: Jaime, Brannon, Chris, Lockey, ?, Amandeep, then Melissa, Mondana and Jen.
Angie, me and a classic Brannon at Umami Burger
