A multiplicity of challenges: that is what baby Sonia is facing. She was assessed today by Dr Nathalie, a Haitian Pediatrician who visits the orphanage every Tuesday. We reviewed her treatment since arriving.
She has been treated for conjunctivitis, possible septicaemia, and pneumonia. She has a very distended abdomen, that could be a sign of digestive tract problems. Yesterday, she developed croup symptoms, and needed steroids and nebulizers to ease her barking cough and open up her swollen airway. She had been fractious and irritable, up until that point. She went on to have a settled day, and I was so glad!
The morning brought some further improvements. Sonia's breathing had improved to the point that she could be taken off of CPAP. It was wonderful to see her round baby face, without all of those tapes and tubes. The new day, also brought new challenges, though. Sonia's face and eyes were puffy, she had gained weight and there was fluid on her lungs again. We strongly suspect that She has a heart defect.
Really, Dr Nathalie, do you think there is a single organ system in her body that is working properly?' I sighed.
It is wrong, wrong, wrong, that babies are born sick. Sonia had a multiplicity of health challenges, that demand a high level of medical and nursing care. She needs constant observation, and I am sure that will continue to be the case over the following days, weeks and months.
I believe that that Sonia and Sophie are here so that, 'the works of God should be manifest,' in them (John 9:3). Thank you to all of you who are praying for me and for these babies. May I be a channel of his love and his healing to them. May I have eyes to see and anticipate their needs, and all the knowledge, wisdom and skill I need to minister to them, for his glory.
Amen
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In Septemeber 2008, I traveled 6000 miles to Haiti's Kenscoff mountains. My mission: to care for some of the orphaned and abandoned, the sick, malnourished and premature infants of this beautiful but beleagured Caribbean nation.
In Septemeber 2008, I traveled 6000 miles to Haiti's Kenscoff mountains. My mission: to care for some of the orphaned and abandoned, the sick, malnourished and premature infants of this beautiful but beleagured Caribbean nation.
"If there were not rocks in its bed, the river would not sing" (anonymous)
"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They can only be felt with the heart." (Helen Keller)
"We are each of us angels with only one wing, and we can only fly by embracing one another." (Luciano de Crescenzo)
3 comments:
Thank you for all you do. I look forward to hopefully meeting you next year when we come to volunteer at GLA I can't wait to see with my own eyes these precious children that God is using you to minister to. To be His hands and feet....there is no greater joy. Thanks for sharing through your blog. Stay strong in Him.
-Allison from Kentucky, USA
Please keep updating on Sonia. I am very interested in trying to help her if and when the time comes.
-Ann from Indiana
these babies with the murmur and the pulmonary edema may have a patent ductus arteriosus? Sometimes they will close with Indomethacin if you have that in Haiti. If not, Ibuprofen is in the same family of drugs and may be tried. Not sure of the dose but the pediatrician probably knows.
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