A Testament to Prayer
On November 20th, only a few weeks ago, what began as a joyful welcoming of child into the world quickly turned into a terrible nightmare. One of which we would find ourselves caught in middle of.
Helping a Friend
My friend, Bernadetta was due and as a midwife, I regularly visited her for checkups and to help her with labour education. Unfortunately she knew very little as there are no checkups during the last 4-6 weeks of pregnancy and there are no childbirth education classes. Historically, giving birth to a child is the number one cause of death of women in Tanzania. As such, there is also a lot fear surrounding child birth.
Warning Signs
However, over the next few days things seemed to be going a different direction. She was experiencing more pain than was expected after the surgery, the baby was not nursing well, and Bernadetta's condition was worsening. The more questions I asked the more I felt impressed to go and check in on them. After arriving, it did not take more then a few minutes to realize that she was very sick and in need of further medical attention.
The doctors were busy and kept saying she was fine and they would check her at some point. I found out later that my issue was that sometimes it takes a few extra shillings to be taken care of. We have learned that many times nurses must be bribed to check on a patient. If a family does not have money, then a patient is left to suffer and in some cases die.
As I was not getting anywhere with the health care workers, I began working towards getting her transferred from the government hospital and into a private hospital where she would be better taken care of. They refused.
Finally, after 5 hours of negotiating, they released her and we rushed out to the private hospital. After being examined she was quickly taken for immediate emergency surgery to open her up again and look for the cause of her excessive swelling and pain.
The doctors were busy and kept saying she was fine and they would check her at some point. I found out later that my issue was that sometimes it takes a few extra shillings to be taken care of. We have learned that many times nurses must be bribed to check on a patient. If a family does not have money, then a patient is left to suffer and in some cases die.
As I was not getting anywhere with the health care workers, I began working towards getting her transferred from the government hospital and into a private hospital where she would be better taken care of. They refused.
Finally, after 5 hours of negotiating, they released her and we rushed out to the private hospital. After being examined she was quickly taken for immediate emergency surgery to open her up again and look for the cause of her excessive swelling and pain.
The operation revealed necrotizing faciitus resulting in the removal of three quarts of dark, putrid fluid and much of her abdominal lining. She was put on heavy antibiotic and an abdominal drainage tube. If left at the other hospital, she would not have lasted long.
The Miracle
We are now one week out from her emergency surgery and I have been told by the doctors that she is a miracle. This is a huge testament to the power of prayer as many of our friends around the world have been praying. Though she has walked through one miracle, there still lies ahead a long road to recovery. She is expected to remain in the hospital for several more weeks and it may be months before she is fully well.
Bernadetta's long term implications will involve a second reconstructive surgery to put mesh in the place of her abdominal lining in order to prevent a total hernia. We do not know when she will be strong enough to undergo another surgery.
Baby Esta came home with us when her mom went back into surgery. She stayed the night and I struggled to get her to suck. She thoroughly put all my lactation consultant skills to the test! After 24 hours of slow, progressive decline we decided to take her in for a checkup. She was admitted to the NICU and was given IV antibiotics and a nasal feeding tube. After 36 hours she was markedly improved and had begun to suck again! Today, after a full week in the NICU we have her at home with us again.
A Long Road Ahead
As Esta and Bernadetta both get stronger we will learn how they will be affected long term. Though they cannot breastfeed right now I hope to be able to work with them to re-lactate and start to nurse again when they are able.
Needless to say, this experience has been a big learning curve for us. We are just grateful that God placed us in the right place at the right time to help this family out.
....for such a time as this? If you had not had training in your specific field of care? If you had not been available? There is something very relational about a God Who sees one helpless mother and one tiny child amid the billions of human forms on this planet.....sees them before He even creates the planet they will inhabit, and prepares a plan to have some of His followers born, raised, trained and THERE at the precise moment these fragile creatures of His heart would need them. Oh, how He loves! Oh, I want to love like that! Jesus, use us all! Be blessed and know that HE IS WATCHING! Shalom, Rebecca<")))><
ReplyDeleteWonderful news. God counts each life as precious.
ReplyDelete