Go Fish

This afternoon a couple came bustling into my office carrying a well-looking yet irritable child. They promptly produced xrays from the nearby regional hospital and stated that the baby girl had swallowed a coin.

The xrays did indeed show a coin stuck in the esophagus so I escorted the anxious trio to the OR. Once the mother and child were comfortably settled in the examination room, I spoke with Barbar one of our skilled technicians and Carsten our resident surgeon. After perusing through the xrays, Barbar casually tossed them back onto the table and announced that the cure for this particular problem was a urinary catheter. “A what?” I replied, somewhat incredulously.

When a catheter is placed in the bladder, a small balloon is inflated to hold it in place. Apparently someone figured out that when you place a catheter into the esophagus, just past the swallowed foreign object and inflate the balloon you can simply yank the whole thing back out, coin and all.

Genius...and you were expecting an expensive scope? TIA folks...this is Africa.

Barbar then speculated that she had swallowed 50 franc piece. I wagered that it was a 25 franc coin, although I am sure I lost that bet. The anesthetist promptly interjected that no matter what the value, if he was fishing it out, he got to keep it:-)

Thank you Calvary Chapel of Battle Creek!

Calvary Chapel Fellowship of Battle Creek, led by my good friends Rick and Chris Gorham has partnered with the Medical Centers of West Africa for the second time by sending gifts of school supplies, multivitamins and toys for the patients in the pediatrics ward. Their generosity is such a blessing. Below is the thank you letter I sent them.

Thank you Calvary Chapel of Battle Creek!

The last boxes stocked with goodies for the pediatrics patients arrived in record time! As usual it was wonderful to hear from you.

We were in the middle of the dry season when your gifts were delivered. During this time of year the pediatrics ward remains almost completely empty. Problems and illnesses inherent to rainfall such as contaminated wells or mosquitoes and malaria are less common. Therefore, we waited until the rains started back up again and the peds ward was full before distributing your gifts. Thank you for your patience.

Approximately 6 months ago a new surgeon and his family arrived from Germany. I asked Annett the wife and mother of this household if she wanted to help me with this project. She readily agreed. So, one afternoon, we spread out on their porch and together with the help of Annett's children and Andrea, the kids schoolteacher, we put together packets of 10 crayons, 5 color pages, a pencil, extra eraser and pencil sharpener along with over 3 weeks worth of multivitamins and a stuffed animal for each child!

Contents of each package.

That same week we gathered everything and headed over to the hospital with Annett's daughter Rabea and son Aaron.

Rabea and Aaron ready to go!

Upon entering the ward, we waited as patients who had been sitting in the nearby courtyard came streaming back to their beds, wanting to get in on the excitement. Martin, one of our hospital chaplains explained to the parents that the gifts had been sent by my friends at a church in America for their children. They were quite pleased and began softly murmuring “useko” thank you.

Martin addressing the Pediatrics ward.

Annett handing out a stuffed animal.

Hamidou Goni was perhaps the smallest patient on the ward that day. At 2 months old he weighs approximately 5 pounds. His mother died after he was born and he was sent to his fraternal aunt to be raised. Amagaena, his aunt is a warm and dedicated mother to her 5 children and has been eagerly caring for her nephew. However, a combination of chronic infections and his caretaker's unfamiliarity with infant formula has put Hamidou at a disadvantage.

The hospital is currently purchasing formula for Hamidou, and Kari one of our missionary nurses has taken an interest in this family. She has instructed Amagaena on how to feed Hamidou and after his most recent hospitalization, he is home and feeding well. The gifts you sent to Amagaena will most likely be used by her older, school aged children, but you provided us with an opportunity to bless and encourage a family that is currently struggling, thank you.

Amagaena with Hamidou Goni.

At the end of the gift distribution, we were left with a number of stuffed animals! They were given to Dr. Jacqueline Koster who was thrilled to receive them. As coordinator of the vaccination clinics conducted at the hospital, she uses the toys as prizes to coax mothers to bring their infants in for their immunizations. These toys are hugely popular and a great motivator.

As always I am impressed by your faithful friendship and encouragement. Thank you all so much, may God bless you as you have blessed us.