in Paris and on the way to Lagos

Bridget, Jack, Ben in Paris (it’s a lovely morning).  Devin on the way to Lagos then Abuja later today.  Ben is doing very well, but still no word on getting in to Children’s.  Keep praying!

Ben update

Ben is himself most of the time!  Which means (if you know Ben this is no surprise) he is HUNGRY most of the time.  This hospital in Nairobi has much better care than Nigeria, although we are more impacted by the imbalance in the world the longer we walk through this. The nights are LOOOOOOONNNG because, as the pediatric endocrinologist told us, we know a lot more about diabetes than any of the staff in the children’s ward, so we are up all night watching closely these “events.”  It is looking good for release tomorrow, depending on everything working out with our insurance and all!  When we get “home,” it looks like we will be able to have a few days at Children’s in Seattle.  Of course lots of people are helping us, all around the world.   I just don’t know what else to say besides thank you for being with us.

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!

Kenya phone number

We have a number in Kenya.

From US : 011 254 703 625 644

Nairobi... What? That wasn't on the flight plan!!!

Landed in Nairobi after midnight and got Ben admitted by 2:30. This place looks like the right place to be with actual machines that blink and go beep and Drs. and Nurses who chart stats and test results in a single location. They even have these things called computers to keep all the information together. We hope today to get a local phone number some schillings and Jack and I checked into a place that cost less than the room Ben and Bridget have at the hospital. The Mayfield guesthouse is close and caters to missionaries moving through Kenya.

We hope to work with the hospital staff to get Ben cleared to travel with a medical escort back to the US in the next day or two. We know all the testing and training they do here will have to be redone back home and Ben is tired of being a pincushion. We are still praying and believing that Juvenile Diabetes is not Gods plan for Ben and that when he stabilizes we will only need to monitor him. Please join us in that prayer and that we are able to get him home quickly with minimal poking and prodding.

More latter

Sorry for the babble I’m not hitting on all cylinders.

Off to Kenya

Keep on praying!

 

Ben is doing a lot better but his blood glucose level is still not stabilizing.  The biggest problem here is they are just not familiar with juvenile diabetes.  And, in fact, diabetes is really rare.  I’m sure we can’t tell the whole story, ever, but we were hoping, based on what we know, that he would become stable enough in a few days to fly home.  Since he isn’t really getting better, the evacuation company wants to move us to the closest wonderful hospital, which happens to be Nairobi, Kenya.  In about an hour, we will be driven by ambulance (overkill for the situation but I think it’s a liability thing), to an air ambulance to Nairobi.  (cool- like a private jet!!)  Once there, we are told we “will think we are in an American hospital.”  The hope is that in a few days he will be OK and we can come to the US, with a medical escort if necessary.  The whole family is going on this trip, but Devin will return to Nigeria when we come home, or as soon as it is clear that our trip is certain and secure.  We will be thankful to be in a city with many Free Methodists and are confident that all will be well. 

 

Stephanie is staying here in Abuja.  A team is with Phyllis now, in Emi-woro.  They will be flying out of Abuja on Monday, so Stephanie will wait here until that time and return to Emi-woro with Phyllis.  She is in a lovely Christian guest house in a safe area of town.   Pray for her, too, because it is all more than a little bit unsettling!!

 

Moving Day

Last few blood sugar test have been promising and we are scheduled to be on a flight to Nairobi Kenya tomorrow at 1:00.  It was decided by the company helping us and our Doctor/friends from home it is time to get out of Nigeria and to a better medical system.  I want to thank you all for your prayers and support during these ups and downs.  It has been awesome to feel so connected and to get solid advise for and conformation of decisions made.  Please continue to pray for Ben and his continued improvement. We know he is in the hands of the Greatest Healer even though sometimes we feel a bit on our own.  Pray that the trip to Nairobi is easy and fast and that our time there short.  Pray for Jack who is really feeling bad for Ben and that he doesn’t go stir crazy while we are in Kenya.  Please continue to pray for Bridget and myself to make wise decisions and not get to worn out until Ben is home.   Finally pray for Stephanie as she continues to work here in Nigeria helping Phyllis with the visitors in Emi-woro and helping pick up the pieces until I return hopefully first week in July.  She has been a real Godsend.

 

Thank you all. Your love has meant so much to us.