Its about 1 am on my 3rd of 4 night shifts this week. I am happy to give thanks to God for your prayers and for his answers. The week has settled down from its hectic start. The pediatric surgeries this week went well and without any major complications this week! The power even went out one day for a few minutes, and everyone was fine in the OR's, ect. Praise God. Most of the patients have been discharged to local hospitals to continue the care they will need more long term. As I may have mentioned before, the pediatric doctor that is here now, picks his most difficult cases to have surgery on the ship, because of the anesthesia equipment. Without it, they probably wouldn't be able to have the surgery they need. We have been getting a lot of cases where kids have swallowed caustic substances... there is no poison control center you call, either... so a lot of kids have scar tissue in their esophagus so they cannot swallow anymore and need feeding tubes. But yea, I just do really thank God that everything went well this week, despite a few stressed nurses. It is difficult to see how much medical care people don't have, especially coming from the US, where we are used to plenty plenty resources (a lot).
Next week we'll have a few encephalocele repairs...A little medical lesson: An encephalocele is a birth defect where a piece of the skull doesn't close completely, therefore brian matter seeps out and forms a bulge usually in front of the face, between the eyes. Google search it for some examples. :) So needless to say, the surgical repairs can be complicated, and the kids need spinal taps twice a day post-op. We have one of the cutest babies here on the ward. He's getting some medicine for malaria and he is due for surgery on monday. He's 1 yr old and his name is Moses. He's got an encephalocele about the size of a big mango on his face. He is adorable and has such a sweet spirit. So if you want another little one to keep in your prayers, I am sure he would greatly appreciate it, and so would his mamma.
I am also more than excited to report that I have not gotten the stomach bug! Praise God! I slept really good during the day today- a whole 8 hours. :) I haven't heard of anyone else getting sick either. Thank you for your prayers!
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Reading about the wonderful things you are experiencing will make comming home a sad event. You are doing such important work. Thank you for your faithfull blogging, and allowing us to share your activities. You and God are up to the challenges you face.
It looks like there's a hospital in the Texas that specializes in the encephalocele repairs that you spoke of. I just read a patient's testimony that said "I don't know how you did it" (paraphrased) but I have to giggle - because I DO know - I know that the only way the doctors would know what to do and how to do it is because of the grace of our incredible God. HE allows miracles to unfold before our eyes so that we can see HIS glory. It's no different than when God passed before Moses - a miracle is a miracle and His glory is His glory. A rose is a rose is a rose. Unmistakably our God through and through! Hallelujah!
How awesome for you, Des, that you are given a glimpse of it all!
Blessings . . . bo
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