Yannick

20 year Yannick arrived at the hospital 10 days ago seriously ill.  Over the prior 2 days he had developed high fever and become delirious.  He was taken to a local Health Center and was treated for Malaria and Typhoid.  After showing no improvement overnight he was transferred to our hospital.  Yannick was unable to speak and could not raise up from his bed.  Laboratory studies showed he had Hepatitis B in addition to Cerebral Malaria and Typhoid.  Equally concerning was that his WBC count was 110,000.  We had grave concerns he may have Leukemia. 2 days into his admission his blood pressure dropped with his abdomen becoming rigid, indicating a possible bowel perforation from his Typhoid.  Dr Crystal Cunningham consulted on Yannick but he was too unstable to tolerate surgery.  Yannick’s antibiotics were changed and over the next 2 days his abdominal tenderness resolved.  Through all this Yannick’s mother remained at his bedside with an optimistic outlook.

Yannick’s mental status began to improve and over the next 5 days he rapidly regained much of his mobility and strength.  Yannick’s WBC also gradually dropped to a normal range erasing the concerns about Leukemia.  Today was a wonderful day as his smiling mother was able to take Yannick home.  She will continue to provide the loving care that got Yannick through this serious illness.

Yannick Update

Anna and Yannick

Even though Yannick’s grandfather arrived to take him home last week, Yannick and his mother remained at the hospital as they did not have money to settle his bill. 

One of the nurses brought it to my attention today so with the help of your donations to MDA we were able to get his bill paid. 

The great news was that over the last week Yannick has dramatically improved from his cerebral malaria.  He is walking and talking normally.  Anna, his mother, is happy to have her son fully back and now heading home.

Yannick

Anna and Yannick

Yannick is a 13 year old boy who was admitted 3 weeks ago comatose, with fever and seizures.  His tests revealed that he had cerebral malaria.  His fever and seizures quickly resolved but he remained in a deep coma for several days.  Anna, his mother, remained diligently at his bedside caring for him only the way a mother could.  Gradually Yannick began to wake up. Yannick is far from well but he is now able to feed himself, walk and follow simple commands.  He no longer is on any medications other than vitamins. 

His grandfather came to the hospital today and announced that he was here to take Yannick home.  We have done what we can for Yannick.  His recovery road is going to be a long one, but with a mother like Anna, I am sure he will reach the end of that road.  Keep Yannick and Anna in your prayers.