Andy's First Medical Journal Entry

Caution: Andy likes to share medical details that some may find a little too detailed!
12.Jun.2009

Peace to you, our brothers and sisters. I wish for you the perfect peace that only comes from keeping our minds steadfast on Him.

Well….our morning devotions were about the peace of Christ. With it came a gentle but firm reminder from Jesus himself that his promise of peace does not preclude trouble. If fact, he assures us that there will be trouble in this world, and knowing this we should not despair, but rather “take heart!” Yes, the NIV even includes the exclamation point. Odd….

There were several families for whom I prayed for peace today:
1) A 7 year old with 6 months of chronic illness, cough, and fatigue. His dad was a nurse at the government hospital 30 minutes to the south. Turns out his mom had died when he was six months of some type of prolonged illness and Russ (the other pediatrician) was more frustrated than surprised that no one had done an HIV test yet (positive). He had large palpable lymph nodes in the neck (not good) and his chest x-ray showed more nodes and pneumonia in the chest (even worse). But a cute kid. Russ and Gaglo (the physician’s assistant/local pastor/person who trained me in Togo medicine 2 years ago) took the dad and grandma aside to explain the diagnosis (HIV with complicating pneumonia, highly likely to be TB) while I played catch and soccer with him in the hallway. The whole time I kept thinking about Drew wondering how many more days of catch we might have before someone took me aside and gave me awful news. After wallowing in self-pity for a wee bit, I figured it would probably be better (and more spiritually appropriate) to be thankful for the wonderful years we’ve had together and appreciate each new day for what it really is, a gift of grace from our loving Father. I was glad I could kick the ball around a bit with the boy, and pleased as punch to be able to come home and hug the family.
2) A 6 month old wasting away with chronic skin abcesses all over (yeah, Tina….a pus story!). I held while the surgeon drained another one, meanwhile the mom’s HIV test came back positive. Although the baby’s HIV test was initially negative, in light of the illness and mom’s test, we’re sure the baby has it, too. Bummer……… There is some hope in the government AIDS program with access to some medicines, but…….bummer…..
3) The 13 year old with a week of abdominal pain and a positive “Ebersole-Williams sign” (pressing on the umbilicus elicits pain with perforated typhoid enterocolitis). The surgeon was hesitant at first but when we took him to surgery……..(well, you know the rest…….). First time I’ve seen a perforation up close (other than Bob Cropsey’s pictures). I’ve seen air under the diaphragm (not good) twice, both times here in Togo. Thank God for surgeons.
4) We currently have three premature babies on the peds ward! (30, 32, and 32 weeks)
5) A five year old still comatose from an MVA 3 days ago.

I’m on call right now. So far, so good. The boys are adjusting well. Melody Ebersole hosts a children’s ministry on the grounds Monday and Friday so Drew and Tony met 50 Togolese kids and watched the excitement this afternoon. Our good friend Elise and her children (Jean, and a baby girl) stopped by to visit with Cari so that was neat. Her husband Jeremy was away. We squeezed in a couple games of Yahtzee after dinner. It’s only 2100 and I’m ready for bed!

Take heart! He has overcome the world. Praise God.
In the Shadow of the Almighty.

CADT (The Robertsons)