Minette's Cinderella Story

As you take a few minutes to read "Minette's Cinderella Story" reblogged from "Into the Deep", know that we serve an amazing God who changes lives inside and out.  (Note:  Nurse Stacia quoted in the article is a friend of ours from both time on the ship and in Texas.)

I met Minette about a year ago. Her story shows how there is light inside each of us, desperately trying to make its way out. This is only a slice of Minette’s story, which is still being written.

Minette excitedly sits in the chair, patiently waiting as the hairstylist works her magic. She can hardly believe this moment has arrived – when someone isn’t afraid of touching her and wants to style her hair. An hour later she emerges with her braids perfectly in place, ready for a celebratory party that she has waited for – for 16 years. On this day, Minette feels as special as the fairy tale princess Cinderella. No, Minette is not heading to a ball to meet her prince, but her biggest wish has already come true.

When Minette was five years old, her father, Robert, noticed something that broke his heart. His little girl showed signs of a condition called neurofibroma – tumors that grow on nerves throughout the body. In a developing country like Madagascar, little is known about neurofibromas or how to treat them. However, Robert knew this condition all too well. He’d also been afflicted with the disease; which showed its first signs when he too was only five.

“It’s something from life, something God let happen to us,” he shares. “No one else in our family has it.”

If the tumors were small, affected individuals could possibly hide their condition. However, the norm is one tumor grows much larger than all the others. Robert’s large neurofibroma resides on his right wrist, which at a glance appears like he’s holding a sack of groceries. In fact, holding a neurofibroma feels a lot like a sack – full of worms.

Minette’s large neurofibroma grew in a much more delicate place, from the top of her neck at the base of her skull where the hairline ends; as if it were part of her hair. It caused Minette nothing but heartache. People were afraid to touch her. As she grew, she endured the ridicule of being singled out by other children. Neighbors said the family was cursed. By the time Minette turned 21; her large neurofibroma had reached her waist and weighed 4.3 kilograms (approximately 9 pounds).

“People wouldn’t treat me as a human being,” she shares.

Minette wished for a cure, but in the real world, fairy godmothers don’t exist. Or do they? She didn’t have a magic wand but Minette’s fairy godmother came in the unusual form of a 16,500-ton hospital ship, the Africa Mercy; a ship dedicated to offering free specialized surgeries to the poorest of the poor.

Robert and Minette first heard about the Africa Mercy and the organization that operates it, Mercy Ships, on the radio. A hospital ship providing free surgeries sounded too good to be true. Villagers warned them that the foreigners on the ship would steal their organs and conduct experiments on them. Desperate for a cure, father and daughter ignored the warnings and made the three-hour journey to the ship in a cramped bus.

Upon arriving, Minette was evaluated by volunteer surgeons and staff for surgery. Everyone could see Minette’s discomfort – she didn’t smile, never made eye contact, and wore a constant grimace. Dr. Tertius Venter, the lead volunteer plastics surgeon on Minette’s case, and his surgical team had a simple goal: remove as much of Minette’s neurofibroma as possible without reducing her range of motion or damaging nerves.

On the morning of her surgery, nurses helped Minette prepare for surgery by scrubbing down her large neurofibroma. Two nurses worked together to lift the tumor that Minette had carried alone. Once in surgery, the team worked over three hours and removed the entire 4.3 kilogram (9 pound) tumor, resulting in an immediate physical transformation. Minette’s emotional and spiritual healing would follow.

Over the next few days, the all-volunteer crew gave Minette blood transfusions, and prayed and cared for her in a way she’d never before experienced. Deeper than Minette’s wish for her tumor to be removed was her wish to be loved. However, years of rejection made it difficult for Minette to accept that love. Every day the nurses, chaplains, and crew loved on Minette and slowly she began engaging with others. Finally, the moment came when Minette flashed a smile. Those who witnessed that moment won’t soon forget the beauty that radiated from her face. Minette hasn’t stopped smiling since.

“It was just really beautiful to see someone go from very little confidence to knowing that she could be confident and knowing that she was loved,” shared Stacia Julian, ward nurse and team leader for the plastics program. “There is so much light in her eyes now and true joy coming from her.”

Minette and Robert shared they are thankful for their restorative surgeries. Upon returning home, Minette’s wish came true, to commemorate the end of this journey with a trip to the hairdresser and a celebration party. Finally, free of their burdens, Robert says he now waits for the Prince Charming who will take his Cinderella away. “Happily ever after” has already begun for his princess.

More on Claudio . . .

Last week, I posted pictures of Claudio, who had a tumor on the back of his head that was about the size of his head.  Today, I read nurse Heather's post on her blog, "Girl.Nurse.Ship.Africa.DreamComeTrue" and had to reblog it for you.  May your eyes weep like mine . . .

Christmas eve I walked into my 7am morning shift expecting the same number of patients as we had the day before. Not much was going on these few days before Christmas. Surgeries had stopped for the week and the patients were all a few days post-op and were stable. I was surprised to see a young teenage boy in the bed closest to the nurse’s station. He was admitted late in the evening the day before. I read through the handover sheet from the evening charge nurse about the boy’s situation.

She wrote briefly that he was a 14-year-old boy with a large tumor on the back of his head that started bleeding significantly. He was rushed to the ship, then taken back to the operating room where they cauterize a superficial artery to stop the bleed, and then covered his head in layers and layers of bandages. Her note ended with a comment that made my heart sink. “He’s still a screening patient, has had a CT scan, but still needs a biopsy to determine if we can operate on his tumor. The doctors are saying that it’s unlikely.”

I’ve learned that “large tumor” has become somewhat of a subjective description. In this case, it was an understatement. It took but a brief glance at Claudio to see that the tumor on the back of his head, was about the size of his head.

I was instantly filled with more emotions than I knew what to do with. He’s so young. The tumor is so big. And we probably can’t help him. Heartbreak for this boy, frustration at our limitations, anger that his tumor has been growing for 12 years and no one helped him earlier.

Shortly after meeting Claudio, one of our translators came up to me and told me that the boy’s caregiver, who I assumed was his grandmother, needed to go home for a few hours and then would come back later. My initial, emotional and defensive thoughts were, “She can’t leave him! He’s just gone through a traumatic experience and she wants to leave? What could possibly be so important??” My quick answer to the translater was that the boy is too young to stay on the ship by himself and we require that he have a caregiver stay with him at all times. Then I asked why she needed to leave. “She needs to go home to wash their clothes. There’s blood all over them..”

The words wouldn’t come. Only the tears that filled my eyes that made it hard to see the plastic bag of Claudio’s clothes that the grandmother held up. I’d also missed the spots of blood all over the grandmother’s shirt and her skirt, evidence that she’d used whatever she had to stop the bleeding from Claudio’s tumor as she frantically tried to get him help. “We’ll get them washed for her.” And with that I walked out of the ward so they wouldn’t see my cry.

---

It was Christmas eve and this boy was just trying to live through another day. He wasn’t worried about his holiday plans, or the presents he would get to open in the morning. He was worried about what would happen to him next.

---

With the bleeding stopped and a pressure bandage in place around his head, we asked Claudio and his grandmother if they wanted to stay on the ship one more day, and spend Christmas here, or if they’d prefer to go that day. They don’t live in Tamatave, but have a friend that they have been staying with in town. They said that they’d prefer to leave. The plan was to send him home with a follow up appointment to check up on him in a few days. After that, he was scheduled to return to the ship 2 weeks later for a biopsy to be taken of the tumor. I had chaplaincy come and talk with him, and stress the fact that when he came back, it would NOT be for surgery, but only a test. The results of that test would come a few weeks later and would determine if we would be able to operate on him. They made sure to explain that there was a big possibility that the tumor was inoperable.

With all of the paperwork done and the hard conversations over, we were ready to send them down the gangway and on their way. The grandmother asked me if we had something we could give them to cover his head. There was already a large bandage covering the tumor but she said, “If we don’t cover it up, people will make fun of him”. I also realized then, that with them leaving so soon we hadn’t had time to wash their clothes. We found a new pair of clothes for both of them and gave Claudio a stylish hoodie that covered the tumor. He left with a smile on his face, though my smile was forced, as I watched him walk down the hallway unsure of what his life would hold.

I looked forward to January 5th with anticipation. With fervent prayers that the biopsy would come back with better information than was expected. Then in a charge nurse meeting before that day, I was told that Claudio wouldn’t be coming in on the 5th for a biopsy. But that he would be admitted the following week for surgery. I couldn’t believe it! I was sure he would end up being referred to the palliative care team. That he would be sent home with an apology that we couldn’t help him. After a review board meeting about his case the surgeons agreed that they could operate on him.

---

Last week, Claudio had surgery. They booked out the OR for the whole day and had 8 units of blood on hold for him knowing that his tumor was very vascular and was very risky. They staffed the ICU planning for him to go there after surgery. I’ve seen time after time how vital prayer is on this ship. How miracles happen every day in our operating rooms. How our patients tolerate severe trauma to their bodies only to recover so quickly. Claudio was out of the OR by 2pm and only needed 2 units of blood transfused. They removed a tumor weighing 7.5lbs. One hour after returning to the ward he was wide awake and hitting a balloon around from his bed.

I’ve visited Claudio every day since his tumor was removed and was greeted with a chummy smile each time. A few days ago he was my patient. He acted as if he never had surgery. As if he never had a 7lb weight dragging down his head. For the first time in years, he was able to lie flat on his back. He can’t wait to get back to school and see his friends’ reaction. I asked what they would say and he just laughed and shook his head, almost as if he couldn’t believe it himself.

I am inspired by this boy’s bravery. You know, he never stopped going to school as his tumor grew bigger and bigger? That he withstood the laughs and ridicule from people around because he wasn’t going to let them stop him from living his life.This boy is brave. He is inspiring.

He didn’t let fear have a place. I want to be like Claudio..

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you do.”-Joshua 1:9

 

William

Cold Record!

While we weren't quite frozen like these jeans, it was a bit nippy when Annie and I ran at -15*F yesterday morning - with a windchill of -34*F!  Let's hope this is a "Cold Record" that stands!

Restoring William

Reblogged from "Into the Deep".  
 

Photo Credit Katie Keegan – William and his son at home after his patch is removed.

Photo Credit Katie Keegan – Therese Lovund (NOR) removes William’s eye patch after cataract surgery.

A year ago, I met William, who grew my faith in ways I could have never imagined. I hope he encourages your faith walk the way he has encouraged mine. Here is his amazing story:

William patiently waits as the bandages from his right eye is removed. The 29-year-old sits perfectly still as his eye is wiped clean. He slowly opens his eye as everyone in the room, including his wife and five-year-old son, wait with bated breath. Silently everyone wonders the same thing:  “Did the surgery restore William’s vision?”

Three years earlier William could see just fine. He owned his own business – selling clothes in the local markets. His home life flourished with his wife and a two-year-old son. And then William began experiencing trouble with his vision. At first, cloudiness developed over his right eye. Eventually William could only see shadows. A few months later the same thing occurred in his left eye. William could no longer distinguish one person from the next. He could no longer work.

Photo Credit Katie Keegan – William, at his home prior to his surgery to remove his cataracts

Limited by his disability, William stayed home and contributed by making the meals. His wife, Elisa, worked as the sole provider in their home. At the age of three, his son Unida shouldered the responsibility of being his father’s eyes. Unida would make change at the markets, hail down transport and warn his father of objects in his path. The burdens placed on his wife and son overwhelmed William, who wanted to provide for his family and lead his home.

Photo Credit Katie Keegan – William’s son, Onida, leads him on a walk prior to his surgery to remove his cateracts.

“I suffer in my mind knowing that I have to depend on my son. Here at home, I’m supposed to be the man who takes care of them, but it is the opposite! I’m supposed to be the strength, and now I’m the one who needs help. It’s really hard for me.”

William searched for a cure for a full year. Finally, a physician diagnosed him with diabetes, a condition that affects how the body processes sugar. The damaging effects include the development of cataracts – as in William’s case. Insulin brought William’s diabetes under control, but it could not remove the cataracts.

Local ophthalmologists examined William’s eyes and gave him heartbreaking news – they could remove the cataracts, but the surgery would be very expensive. A surgery would cost William 600,000 ariary (the equivalent of $240 US) per eye. The news devastated William. Without work, how would he ever afford such a costly surgery? The average income in Madagascar is $260 per year (www.wildmadagascar.org).

William was desperate. Then he heard the announcement that Mercy Ships was offering cataract removal surgeries at their eye clinic – at no cost.

Photo Credit Josh Callow – Dr. Ralph Crew (USA) and Dee McCabe operate to remove the cataract from William’s right eye.

As soon as he heard the news, William traveled to the Mercy Ships land-based eye clinic. Dr. Ralph Crew, a volunteer ophthalmic surgeon from the United States, evaluated William’s eyes and approved him for surgery within 48 hours. William rejoiced. He eagerly anticipated his sight returning even before he was admitted for his operation. “Me personally, I am sure. I believe that as soon as they will take it (the bandage) off, I will see!” he said.

Photo Credit Katie Keegan – William can see for the first time in 2 years after his cataract surgery.

Twenty-four hours after William’s simple 20-minute surgery, the Mercy Ships eye team and William’s wife and son gathered together to witness the results. The outcome was evident within seconds. Once the bandages were removed, William’s surgically repaired eye adjusted to the light. He looked around the room, and his eyes rested on his son, his guide for the last two years – a son he had not been able to see.

William flashed a big smile before saying, “I can see my son!”

A mixture of cheers and cries exploded throughout the room. An eye test later revealed that not only could William see, he could see incredibly well – just as he said he would. One 20- minute surgery made possible by donors and volunteers from around the world, along with William’s faith, restored one home in Madagascar.

Before he returned to a house he had not seen in two years, William shared this message for the donors that made his surgery possible:

“I wish them to continue the good action that they do. Those people that they help will never be able to respond to the good things they receive. For example me, I’ll never be able to respond to the good action they do for me, but God will do that.”

Prinscio

Today's post has been reblogged from "Through My Porthole."  To think, we are not happy to be out in this weather, but we should be happy that we can be out!

A deep breath and a pause was required after I noticed the thick, dark callouses on the upper part of Prinscio’s feet. It was emotional to suddenly comprehend what those calluses were.

Prinscio was two when he took his first steps; walking on the tops of his twisted feet. Born with bi-lateral club feet, he developed this curious gait to get around. He was ashamed of the way he moved and he would declare “Don’t talk about my feet!” to anyone who stared. In every other way, Prinscio simply delighted in life. “He does everything with happiness. He smiles with his whole body,” his mother Joceline says.

Prinscio before and after his club foot restoration. Pic Katie Keegan

Within weeks of his birth, Prinscio’s parents tried correcting his condition with Malagasy massage. A dozen ‘healers’ gave them conflicting advice. His parents became deeply discouraged; they had spent so much money and nothing helped.

Three years later a medical specialist told them Mercy Ships was in Madagascar providing the exact treatment Prinscio needed – free of charge.

At his first appointment, volunteer physiotherapists explained Prinscio’s club feet could be corrected by plaster casts, minor surgery, exercises and the use of night-time braces.

The bright little three-year-old enthusiastically helped at his therapy visits saying, “I’ve got to do it!” He chattered about his dreams, “Mamma, when my feet are fixed I will ride a bike and play football. I will be like other kids!”

After eight sessions and a series of eight double leg casts, Prinscio underwent a minor surgery called a tenotomy ( a snip to his Achilles tendon) to attain the last degrees of correction in his feet.

Prinscio’s leg casting. Pic: Justine Forrest

As the day approached to finally remove his casts, Prinscio was beyond excited. His mother overheard him talking to one of his friends, “Tomorrow when I come home, my feet will be just like yours!”

On December 22^nd the casts were removed, revealing beautiful straight feet. Joceline exclaimed, “This is the best Christmas gift ever!”

Large, heavy calluses remain on the upper side of Prinscio’s small feet. It takes a moment to realise these are the ‘heels’ he previously walked on.

Prinscio now stands confidently, flat on the soles of his beautifully restored feet.

Claudio

This is Claudio, a 14-year-old boy who is courageous and brave. Without any hesitation, he walked into the OR room ready to see his life transformed. Five hours later he was free!

And here is Claudio one hour after his surgery - laying on his back for the first time in forever.  Wow!