May 2, 2010

Death and sickness seem to be all around us. It is possible to feel that more severely than in the previous year I've spent here? I don't know. Life seems more fragile these days and it still feels like we are fighting a battle that has already been lost. Physical illness is a hard enemy.

This morning a three year old girl died at our house. Her dad, who was pretty well drunk, brought her to clinic on Friday with bloody diarrhea - she was already pretty out of it. Sara, Esther, and Michael decided to take her for a few days since the dad was so, not in a good way - he couldn't even recall how old she was. We started her on treatment for a dysentary and put an NG tube down for hydration after no one could get in an IV. She was there, would arouse every now and then, take some food or drink, then slip back to her sleeping/restless from pain state. But last night she took a turn for the worst and this morning died in Annelies's arms after she vomited a good amount of dark dark blood. This is beyond sad. We are trying to recover today. Nap, read, eat, do nothing. I woke up completely drenched with sweat after a 2 and a half hour nap. Yes, I had been in a coma. I don't think I was the only one who crashed today.

-Other than that, last week was not so busy, which was good considering the summer heat wave has come and everyone is melting here. It...is...so...hot...
-Been reading a bit in 2 Corinthians and being encouraged by Paul's suffering and perseverence.
-Tomorrow we are taking a car load of people to the hospital in LaPointe, mostly for HIV consultations and medicines. Oh yeah, HIV was raining here last week... fifteen people in the car could be a little chaotic...yeah, pray for that one. I think I'm staying here to hold down the fort for Monday clinic day.