Better care!

Well, we still have to be assertive, but we are making progress.  If nothing else, the Nairobi hospital is comfortable and clean and the food ROCKS.  We’re in a private room with a bathroom with HOT RUNNING WATER (usually) and an extra bed for one of us to stay.  We checked in a day and a half ago and still haven’t had intake interviews or met with a doctor to get the results of all the blood tests we had upon arrival.  I guess that means they aren’t too concerned. Finally, this afternoon a diabetic dietician/consultant came in and actually talked to Ben and we received our first written materials – a picture page explaining hypoglycemia.  I think it both helped Ben understand why he’s been so tired and sensitive, while at the same time making him really sad.  “You mean unless God does a miracle of healing I will have to get shots EVERY DAY FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE???”  We have done virtually all the glucose tracking and food tracking and most of the insulin injections.  We are not shy about tracking nurses down, and we have a stocked frig which helps for those low glucose readings.  There are still some frustrating things going on, which probably is based on our lack of time in hospitals, (or is it perfect in the US?) but, the people here have compassion, which makes all the difference.  This afternoon they changed the insulin, which will change the way we do things, and it should help with these big swings.  We’ve learned a lot just by documenting (I made a little graph to try to get a better picture of it all).

We aren’t holding our breath, but some say we may be able to travel Wednesday.  Our insurance team needs to talk to a doctor after another day of monitoring.

We woke up Monday morning to a greeting from Jill Parsons, a FMVISA missionary from California working with ICCM in Kenya.  She brought some books, some protein bars, a cell phone with a local number and some credit on it, and some local currency J  She also took Jack and Devin out to lunch, came back to visit today (with almonds – yum!) and is taking Jack to the elephant orphanage tomorrow.  What a blessing!

I’m hoping to be sleeping soon after dark, and Devin is at the hospital with Ben.  So many of you have said you are praying for our strength – keep it up!