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.

Busy

My days at the hospital remain busy.  Dr. Eugene, a General Practitioner began working last week.  He is fresh out of his training program so he does not have a large amount of experience with direct patient care.  I am therefore doing a fair amount of teaching everyday which has been enjoyable.  He has a lot of enthusiasm which makes it fun.  He grew up near here so he speaks Kom (the local dialect), French, English and the dialect the Moslems speak.  This will certainly enhance the patient care we can deliver.
 
There is a 10 year old boy in the pediatric ward with cerebral malaria.  Keep him in your prayers today as he struggles to recover.

Called During the Night

Joe and I were called to the hospital during the night to see our 1 year old with the chest tube.  She had been doing great and we were contemplating removing her tube in the next couple of days.  She developed sudden breathing difficulties during the night and had developed a major air leak from her lung.  We ascertained her tube was functioning properly.  There was no one available to take an x-ray until this morning and she passed away as the x-ray was being obtained.  

It was difficult for us wondering what we could have done differently to change the outcome but nothing compared to what mom and grandma have to endure.  

Our prayers are with the family today.