Ups and Downs

The last week and a half has been full of ups and downs for Gifty.

Last Monday I had to bring Gifty back to the emergency room due to a high fever, cough and very fast respiratory rate. She was diagnosed with another respiratory infection and readmitted to the hospital for a stronger run of IV antibiotics. On Friday the doctor told me she was not responding very well to the medications and continued to spike fevers at night. He was very concerned because her chronic health problems and inability to fight infections complicates everything. He already had her on the strongest antibiotic that is available here. He laid out a very poor prognosis (which we already know, but it is very hard to hear).

Due to Andrew's keen detective work, some information about Gifty's past was found, including a birth certificate. We now know her birthday, May 28, 2007, which means she is 17months old. I also met with a Social Worker from the Liberian government this week. Her report will hopefully go far in expediting the paperwork that needs to go through for Gifty to be able to leave the country and be adopted.

Despite the fight going on within her small body Gifty continues to grow. According to the hospital scale she is up to 5.8kg. She is a great eater, loves her milk and is trying new foods. She can not get enough of the special crackers that her care taker Tonia buys for her. And we discovered another love of Gifty's. . .Music! She can't get enough of it and starts kicking her legs and bobbing her head every time.

Today when I met with Gifty's doctor he was very happy with how she was doing. She has not had any fevers for 3 days and is breathing normally again. He wanted to discharge her today! I asked for a few more days to insure she is really infection free before we return her to the orphanage. Hopefully if everything goes as planned she will be discharged again on Wednesday.

This cycle of infections will continue until Gifty can receive the surgery she needs to fix her failing liver. Each time she gets sick it is harder on her body and they have to use stronger medicines which are not good for her liver, but are necessary to fight the infection. This is a truly urgent time to pray for a miracle in Gifty's body and for getting her the medical care she needs but is not available in Liberia.

Each time I hold Gifty, I pray for her. I pray that God will bless her and strengthen her from the top of her head to the bottom of her feet. I whisper truths to her about God and how much he loves her. I remember the promise He gives us that He will complete the good work that He has started in her.

Please join me in these prayers.