Rose
We had a remarkable experience this last month.
It was in the middle of our clinic day when a mother arrived with a young girl on her back. She had been walking since 3 or 4am that morning and had reached us just before lunch.
The little girl was Rose, a nine-year-old with a tumor in her abdomen. The tumor had grown very quickly since August or September and the family had been to all the local hospitals, as well as to Lusaka. We were a last-ditch effort. The family knew their little girl was likely going to die, but wanted to do everything within their power to give her the opportunity to live.
Susie and I called Doctors we knew in Zambia, seeking treatment plans until we could get the hospital paperwork to let us know what was wrong and how to proceed. Susie was able to find a doctor who could get us appointments with specialists in Lusaka for Rose and money to cover them.
Being an outpatient clinic we knew we couldn't keep her overnight, though she needed 24-hour care. Sinazongwe Hospital was amazing in allowing us to check her in as a patient, come in at all hours, and give her our own medications. More than one doctor was very helpful in giving advice from afar, with promises of helping us get the drugs we may need for Rose.
We took her sister (who stayed with her in the hospital when her mom had to run errands) and Rose a coloring book and crayons some children had given me when I was in Washington to take to Zambia with me. The sister spent time carefully coloring in the lines while watching out for Rose.
Susan and I got up every few hours in the night to check on Rose or to give her medicine. At first she cried when she saw us, but then she began to smile, to wave. She even held my hand one night as I injected her medication.
After retrieving Rose's previous hospital records it was confirmed that she had a fast-growing malignant tumor and that she would not survive.
It was a horrible realization for Susan and I. We had such hopes for her. Instead, we told her family the truth. We figured they already knew, and they took it so well. But, it was difficult to tell them there was nothing else we could do for them.
We had Tessa, one of our health workers talk with Rose about Christianity and she came away convinced the family was born again- we truly were comforted. Either way death was inevitable, but at least we knew they would have Christ to remain with them- to comfort them. And to take Rose to Heaven.
So, we told her parents that they could take her home if they wanted. We gave them some medications to help her and asked them to come when Rose began to get even worse- so we could give them something stronger.
About a week later a few of her siblings came by and we gave them some medication. A few days later Rose died.
It could have happened so easily that Rose and our paths never crossed. I really think God brought her into our lives. Hopefully, by coming from a Christian aspect her family were helped along in their journey with Rose. And I know that she made an impression on both our hearts that will not be forgotten.
It was in the middle of our clinic day when a mother arrived with a young girl on her back. She had been walking since 3 or 4am that morning and had reached us just before lunch.
The little girl was Rose, a nine-year-old with a tumor in her abdomen. The tumor had grown very quickly since August or September and the family had been to all the local hospitals, as well as to Lusaka. We were a last-ditch effort. The family knew their little girl was likely going to die, but wanted to do everything within their power to give her the opportunity to live.
Susie and I called Doctors we knew in Zambia, seeking treatment plans until we could get the hospital paperwork to let us know what was wrong and how to proceed. Susie was able to find a doctor who could get us appointments with specialists in Lusaka for Rose and money to cover them.
Being an outpatient clinic we knew we couldn't keep her overnight, though she needed 24-hour care. Sinazongwe Hospital was amazing in allowing us to check her in as a patient, come in at all hours, and give her our own medications. More than one doctor was very helpful in giving advice from afar, with promises of helping us get the drugs we may need for Rose.
We took her sister (who stayed with her in the hospital when her mom had to run errands) and Rose a coloring book and crayons some children had given me when I was in Washington to take to Zambia with me. The sister spent time carefully coloring in the lines while watching out for Rose.
Susan and I got up every few hours in the night to check on Rose or to give her medicine. At first she cried when she saw us, but then she began to smile, to wave. She even held my hand one night as I injected her medication.
After retrieving Rose's previous hospital records it was confirmed that she had a fast-growing malignant tumor and that she would not survive.
It was a horrible realization for Susan and I. We had such hopes for her. Instead, we told her family the truth. We figured they already knew, and they took it so well. But, it was difficult to tell them there was nothing else we could do for them.
We had Tessa, one of our health workers talk with Rose about Christianity and she came away convinced the family was born again- we truly were comforted. Either way death was inevitable, but at least we knew they would have Christ to remain with them- to comfort them. And to take Rose to Heaven.
So, we told her parents that they could take her home if they wanted. We gave them some medications to help her and asked them to come when Rose began to get even worse- so we could give them something stronger.
About a week later a few of her siblings came by and we gave them some medication. A few days later Rose died.
It could have happened so easily that Rose and our paths never crossed. I really think God brought her into our lives. Hopefully, by coming from a Christian aspect her family were helped along in their journey with Rose. And I know that she made an impression on both our hearts that will not be forgotten.
This entry was posted
on Saturday, December 8, 2007 at 5:18 AM.
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