Little Talandila

We hadn't worked in that village long enough to know who everyone was, so when one of the women who attended Phyllis' workshops would be gone for two or more weeks at a time, we were hardly aware of the fact. Her husband would sometimes be gone for a week or more as well. It was only one Saturday afternoon, a few months ago, when he asked us for a ride to Zomba Central Hospital that we learned their small son was very ill, and being treated there.

We were relieved to see them a couple weeks later, and to find out he was doing much better. However, when we were out there this Monday, and saw he was lying on a blanket in their yard, and with great muscle pain in his legs, and other parts of his body also, we began to inquire a little deeper. They explained that this was a recurring problem since shortly after he was born, but that the doctors at the hospital couldn't discover what was wrong.

We offered to take him to a local private clinic to at least get him some relief for the pain and swelling, but also to see if they could diagnose the problem. The doctor massaged his legs with some sort of ligament oil, and gave him pain medication. I asked him to prescribe some calcium also, as a deficiency could cause his legs to cramp. Off we went, nowhere closer to a diagnosis than when we had walked in. When we arrived back in the village, still not satisfied, I offered to take him to Phyllis' and my doctor on Thursday, which was to be our next free day. His mother was quite grateful for the offer.

So, yesterday morning, we picked up little Talandila, and his father in hopes of getting to the root of this chronic condition. Within less than two hours, and after a number of blood and other tests, we had a diagnosis. It was Sickle Cell Disease, a very serious, but treatable genetic blood disorder. By early afternoon, they had given him a vitamin injection, and placed him on an IV drip, as he was both anemic, and quite dehydrated. He was to be kept at least overnight.

By this time his mother was with him, as his father needed to get to his job as a night watchman at a roadside lumber dealer. We returned home to prepare them both dinner as none of the hospitals, either government or private, provide meals. We had Angellah, Phyllis assistant prepare a traditional Malawian meal to make them feel more at home. By that time Talandila was quite tired, and settling in well, as he had lost much sleep from all the pain over the previous several days.

I spent several hours last night researching online, whatever I could about its prognosis and treatments. I was encouraged to learn there was much we could do nutritionally, along with some tips on controlling his environment, such as keeping him warm, and getting him a mosquito net. When we sat in the doctor's office as Talandila was being released today, we shared notes with one another. He appeared to be quite surprised we had learned so much overnight. I am reminded what an amazing tool this internet is for either good or evil.

Before taking them back to their village this afternoon, we stopped by town to purchase him a bed net, a heavy wool blanket, some shoes, a jacket, and a couple other items, all to help him stay warm and healthy. We'll be ordering some specific vitamins, and other supplements our team of volunteers can bring with them when they arrive in three weeks. These were. recommended through the research I was able to do last night.

All this in less than thirty six hours! Thank you Jesus for your compassion, and your great wisdom.