Just for a laugh I was sitting on our bamboo bed at lunchtime today feeding Yan and a rather large lizard ran across my foot and out the door. Needless to say, I screamed, Yan screamed and I am sure that if the lizard could have screamed he would have too!
I wanted to share just a few of the medical opportunities I've had in just the two weeks (tomorrow!) that we've been here. There is never a dull moment! Medical opportunities came up within a day of arriving! Any doctors out there who want to come help? :-)
So far I met a mother who was 9 weeks pregnant, who had went to the hospital and was given some hormones and injections that are contraindicated in pregnancy. She miscarried a few days later.
I've diagnosed a bad case of Impetigo (on the head) and the child is being treated.
I've visited a neighbor who possibly has malaria. Working on diagnosis before we treat.
There is a severely malnourished 1 year old boy next door. I need to talk with the mother about what steps to take.
I was delighted to find that a dear friend who was diagnosed with TB has just finished her treatment and she looks 1000% better! Praise God!
But, perhaps the most difficult of all is a baby who was brought to us who is 2 1/2 months old and weighs less than 3 kg! (5 1/2 pounds). I honestly didn't know a baby could be that old and weigh that little and be ALIVE. Incredible. That alone is a miracle. The baby is to tiny and so weak, but amazingly still fighting for life. The mother and baby are currently staying with a friend here, but we are praying hard and working hard to keep this little one alive and help the mother to feed as much as possible. If you think of it, pray for this little one.
On a positive note, a girl who regularly plays with Lili (above) has been totally healed after having a terrible toe injury last year. When she first came to me I couldn't even work out what part of her toe was what - it was that bad. She came every day for about 3 months for care. But, she's completely healed, and I am so thankful!
Cheers for now! More stories to come later....got thanksgiving food to prepare!
