BABY MERCY IN UGANDA |
|
|
I (Jessie in Uganda) was looking through photos in search of something last night and am amazed by the progress that Baby Mercy has made this week. They discharged her from the government hospital this past Sunday. BUT IT WAS TOO SOON! Her burn wounds were still open, sticky and raw. Those areas of her skinless body could become dangerously infected if not handled properly.
It didn’t matter. The bed was given to someone else. Discharge papers handed out. Next thing I know, Baby Mercy is at my gate. Bandages, open wounds, tears and all. At the time, I was nothing but angry and annoyed at this ongoing lack of care. Turns out, being discharged early was a blessing in disguise.
With the help of an Earth-Angel-Doctor (an Australian burn specialist) [Val Smith-Orr] who has been messaging us with step-by-step instructions every step of the way, we’ve been able to help Mercy in ways that she’s deserved all along.
While in the hospital, our hands were often tied. We had to do things by their timeline and in their misinformed ways. There were moments of great worry on our part. But what could we do? No other hospitals in the area would take her. Monday was a special day. With the help of a medical professional and dear JC friend, we were able to go to Mercy’s home and give her a warm bath. We carefully removed all the dead skin, applied ointments and lotions and love and, with that, the true healing journey has sped up incrementally. In this process, we have learned so much.
These days, Mercy is walking and laughing and enjoying big bowls of potatoes and meat. She goes to our friend’s clinic every day and gets to watch some cartoons before her bandages are changed and fresh ointments applied. In just three days, her wounds have now almost totally healed over. Very soon, those bandages won’t be needed anymore. That is so good because she also needs to regain more range of motion in her fingers and arm. Forever grateful for the doctors in our lives who have come alongside us in outstanding ways, both here in Uganda and abroad.
Extreme burn cases are extremely common in this part of the world. And yet knowledge in how to properly care for them is so small. Let me say this again: I have learned so much! Humbly, grateful. Beyond measure. Thank you for your prayers and support, my friends. Baby Mercy still has a long ways to go towards total healing. But I do believe we have now left the danger zone.
With love and gratitude from Uganda, Jessie and Baby Mercy
It didn’t matter. The bed was given to someone else. Discharge papers handed out. Next thing I know, Baby Mercy is at my gate. Bandages, open wounds, tears and all. At the time, I was nothing but angry and annoyed at this ongoing lack of care. Turns out, being discharged early was a blessing in disguise.
With the help of an Earth-Angel-Doctor (an Australian burn specialist) [Val Smith-Orr] who has been messaging us with step-by-step instructions every step of the way, we’ve been able to help Mercy in ways that she’s deserved all along.
While in the hospital, our hands were often tied. We had to do things by their timeline and in their misinformed ways. There were moments of great worry on our part. But what could we do? No other hospitals in the area would take her. Monday was a special day. With the help of a medical professional and dear JC friend, we were able to go to Mercy’s home and give her a warm bath. We carefully removed all the dead skin, applied ointments and lotions and love and, with that, the true healing journey has sped up incrementally. In this process, we have learned so much.
These days, Mercy is walking and laughing and enjoying big bowls of potatoes and meat. She goes to our friend’s clinic every day and gets to watch some cartoons before her bandages are changed and fresh ointments applied. In just three days, her wounds have now almost totally healed over. Very soon, those bandages won’t be needed anymore. That is so good because she also needs to regain more range of motion in her fingers and arm. Forever grateful for the doctors in our lives who have come alongside us in outstanding ways, both here in Uganda and abroad.
Extreme burn cases are extremely common in this part of the world. And yet knowledge in how to properly care for them is so small. Let me say this again: I have learned so much! Humbly, grateful. Beyond measure. Thank you for your prayers and support, my friends. Baby Mercy still has a long ways to go towards total healing. But I do believe we have now left the danger zone.
With love and gratitude from Uganda, Jessie and Baby Mercy