Samuel Update

Samuel is still in the ER at JFK as there is no bed available in the Pediatric Ward. Kreig and I went to visit him tonight and we are so glad we did. Something about our skin color makes us stand out more and the doctors and nurses are quicker to ask us questions and try to help Samuel. We arrived to find Samuel experiencing an increase in his abdominal pain – especially in his left upper quadrant. He was unable to tolerate anyone touching his abdomen and he also continued to have high fevers. Shortly after our arrival Dr. Emily, a visiting ER Physician from John Hopkins, stopped and asked us questions about who we were and why we were there. We explained Samuel’s medical history as best we could and she started examining him. They had a portable ultrasound machine that they used to assess him. She and her team ordered several more lab tests and another abdominal x-ray. They also wrote another order to admit him to the Pediatric Ward. Kreig and I headed off to see about availability and to pay for the x-ray . . . since they won’t do it until it’s paid for! 

There are still no beds in the pediatric ward so Samuel will spend another night in the ER. It is a busy place. While we were there we saw a young man – maybe in his 20’s – die. It is so different than in the US. There was no “code blue” called . . . no one ran and tried to resuscitate him . . . they just continued with their business and acted like nothing out of the ordinary had happened. They just left him . . . then they covered the body with a sheet and that’s how he remained for the next 30 minutes while we were there. Apparently he’d been having seizures and they were suctioning blood from his nose/airway – he probably had cerebral malaria. It made me think of Bobby and how thankful I was that he has been healed and is no longer having seizures. It is just so sad to see such a young life taken!

During one of our trips to x-ray we passed by a huge puddle of bloody vomit that was all over the floor in the triage area. The hospital staff got shovels full of dirt and threw it on the mess in order to absorb the fluid and then mopped the area with bleach. I never cease to be amazed at what I see when I visit the hospital.

After making sure Samuel and his mom were situated we prayed with them and then left. What a sweet relief to return home to our healthy children – thank you God!!

 Go Back

 Add a Comment

(Note: comments will be posted to this page once reviewed by an administrator.  Only your first name, subject and comments will be posted.)

Comments

No comments yet... be the first to write one.