Last week I told you about Gifty, a baby girl from one of our orphanages who is very sick. Today I had the opportunity to meet her. She is currently at the MSF (Doctors Without Borders) hospital near by. This hospital only takes maternity and pediatric patients at this time. All the patients are required to have a care taker with them 24 hours a day to help with normal activities of daily living like bathing and feeding. We have 2 wonderful Liberian women who have been taking turns caring for Gifty in the Hospital. Gifty and her care giver share a small bunk in a room with 7-8 other patient/caregiver pairs with only enough room to walk between the beds. We went to visit her today hopeing to take her to her new orphanage home. After meeting with her doctor we learned that she continues to spike fevers and can not be discharged until she has been fever free for at least 48 hours. Gifty was diagnosed with Billiary Atresia, a congenital condition which in Gifty's case has resulted in a blocked billiary duct. Usually surgery is required to fix it within the first couple months of life. Gifty has not had this surgery. She has many other complications such as jaundice, an enlarged liver and spleen and increased risk of infection. After her discharge, our plan is to keep her healthy at her new orphanage home until an expedited adoption can happen and she can receive the medical care that she needs. According to research, Gifty's life expectancy is only about 3 years, without treatment. Gifty is a precious girl filled with spunk and a fighting spirit.
Please continue to fight and pray with us for a miracle for Gifty.
1 comment:
Deb, thanks so much for posting...keep the updates coming to help us understand more, empathize more, care more. God bless you in your work, and we'll be praying.
Also...how can we send care packages? ;-)
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