Friends and Family,
This past week, two of the young patients that we follow very closely had a crisis! All seems better for them today. They do need lots of PRAYER. Diego is 20 years old, severely malnourished, anemic, brittle, insulin dependent diabetic, cataract in the right eye. Left cataract was removed last year.
He came in to clinic early Monday as scheduled for cataract removal by team of surgeons from the North West. Problem was his glucose was 598! He had severe diarrhea for three days, severely dehidrated and was more emaciated than prior. Immediately we admitted him to a bed and started IV fluids and did laboratory tests. With insulin, antibiotics and IV's food he stabilized enough to have his surgery on Thursday. He was blind last years from the onset of cataracts. Now he can SEE again. Today after two months absence from school he returned to classes. He continues to stay in the clinic so we can monitor his diabetes. He is still unstable but very collaborative and in good spirits. His appetite is good. His sugars are unstable but our doctor and I are monitoring him closely.
Maria is 16 and her situation is more serious. Maria has AIDS, diagnosed when she was thirteen. She was a victim of Rape. She is from an extremely poor family. She has recovered with the help of anti viral medication. She is a pretty girl. She has moved around with relatives, and neighbors, never quite settled. She attempted going to school; she is illiterate and never really got beyond second grade primary. We brought her always to the AIDS clinic for her medicine. This is an excellent facility. The person in charge of her case speaks fluently her dialect. She has received psychological support and counsel. We knew there was difficulties out there she had to confront. She had to live her own life. She did find a boy friend and we were not prepared for that notice. They are now together as a couple. One of our clinic workers accompanied both of them together to her last appointment. He is committed to her and now understands the complexity of the life he has chosen. He is 17 and still in school. They live with his family with many brothers and sisters. Maria has been accepted by the family. You can understand the support and prayers they need. Maria is very talented with crafts and is able to make their traditional belt in beautiful beaded designs. We hope to provide her with materials for this so she can work in their home. Thank You for support and prayer for those we are called to serve!
I attach a photo of Diego with his MOM and Nurse Rosie! And since he just arrived back from first day back at school I wanted to include a picture today! Diego is very happy today.
