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.





Saturday 29 January 2011

Francisca

By the time the staff at Real Hope for Haiti called on Wednesday, to tell us that rioting in Cabaret was preventing them from transporting Tania to GLA, another tiny infant, born 7 weeks prematurely and weighing 3lb 2 oz was in their care. Would we accept this infant for medical care as well? Dixie Bickel said, yes.

Francisca is here with her young mother. Francisca's blood sugar was low when she was admitted and within hours of arriving, her oxygen level had dropped and her breathing became laboured. She was given IV dextrose and she was started on bubble CPAP. 30 minutes later, she had stabalized.

Over the past few days, Francisca has been unable to digest breast milk. She began to have apnoeas (periods during which she stops breathing, and her heart rate drops.) Her CPAP is running with compressed air and a small flow of supplemental oxygen. The force from the CPAP gasses helps Francisca with her breathing and prevents the apnoeic spells.


While this baby fights her infection, she is receiving respiratory support in her incubator, together with IV fluids and antibiotics.

Three sick infants: Two in incubators, one on oxygen and cardiac medications, one on CPAP, two receiving IV rehydration and antibiotcs, one on continuous feeds, all requuiring close monitoring and round-the-clock care.

In terms of the space and technology that is available to us, GLA's NICU has almost reached the limit of its capacity. I am so glad that we are able to care for these three sick infants, simultaneously. I feel blessed beyond measure, by Sonia, Tania and Francisca and I am glad that we were able to say yes to each one of these beautiful girls.

2 comments:

mbs said...

Thank you for all the work you do for these beautiful lives God has created. God has plans for these girls and you are a tool in his plans. May He continue to strengthen and encourage you for the work He has called you to.

patricew said...

AS a NICU nurse in the USA I am in awe of what you do there. Presently I am very involved with an orphanage in Croix des Bouquet but maybe someday I will be able to visit or work with you! Or maybe start a NICU in Croix des Bouquet!! Goodness, that thought just occurred to me. I wonder how one goes about that? besides having lots of money of course!!!!