Hi All:
The Haitian Donkey has been quite busy trying to stay healthy, so a bit behind on other things. I have mentioned the distasteful flooding that has bothered me for the last month on an increasingly frequent basis. I also have had a central line (for my TPN feedings) infection, again the fungus, likely the same species (they didn’t do the complete testing this time, not sure why). So, back on the Sporonox, have 3 weeks down and 6 to go. It is very tough on my already feeble intestinal tract, but no alternatives. I had my central line changed last Friday, that went well, thankfully. My 3 holes that are the cause of the flooding have been a struggle, Dr. De Cook took out the drain that has been there since the last surgery in August right after I got back from Haiti in December but the volume has not diminished and we are working on trying to put ostomy bags over them with varying amounts of success. Rachel and Jenn have accompanied me to the Holland Hospital Wound and Ostomy Clinic to learn the technique as they give me a mirror but it is below the tiny bulge of my belly and hard for a donkey to do. The largest hole has developed a fair amount of infection in the tissues around it, so Dr. De Cook is planning on trying to clean things up in hopes that the ostomy will be more manageable. I have to be at Holland Hospital at 12:30 tomorrow, so likely will start the operation about 2 or a bit after, if all goes as planned. For a time, I will have a larger yet hole, but hoping it will heal up and be smaller and more able to be sealed in the future. Pray for wisdom for Dr. De Cook and healing for the Haitian Donkey.
It has been a bit hard to juggle other activities around the work schedule and my at least weekly visits to Holland Hospital for the changes and adjustments to the ostomy. Jenn has been doing the changes at home between the visits, she has a real aptitude and is greatly appreciated, though she is not enthused about the smelliness of the affair and, at times, we have to do this daily on one or both bags. Hopefully things will smooth out over time, both in the irregularity of the belly wall (so the bags will stick better and not leak) and our skill in keeping the fluids where they are supposed to be. I have eaten very little as the Sporonox inhibits any appetite, but we still have enough drainage from the sites to make it unpleasant.
Dan, Duane, Jose and Kevin (another surgeon friend of Jose’s) will leave tomorrow for a week in Haiti. It seems things are starting to settle down and we are praying that will continue and they can do the work they would like to get done. Dan, Margie, Tabitha and I plan on going on the 14th of February for our week there, again, most delighted that our friend, Ken De Young, is willing to fly us in and out as he will be there with a team on their projects there. What a blessing. In addition to the other jobs she will do in the OR, Tabitha (and maybe Margie will need to help some) will do my ostomy changes and teach Miss Lisberthe and others to do them when I make my future trips.
By God’s grace, we already have had some money promised towards the Solar Project and we are excited that things are progressing for that also. Will keep you updated on all aspects of our work as time and new developments come out as we greatly appreciate all the prayers, support and encouragement you all are to us daily as we strive to serve our Savior at Centre de Sante Lumiere, Les Cayes.
In His Service,
Bill for Dan, Duane, Jose, Kevin and the rest of the Haiti Team