We often joke that we age in dog years in Bundibugyo... every year tends to feel like seven. I have to admit that these last two weeks have felt exactly that way. Dr. Jonah's death was a real blow emotionally. Most of us were numb for days unable to believe that he was really gone. That ebola was so serious, so brutal, so non-discriminating. We were all shaky and worried for our team mates who had stayed to take care of patients and help with the enormous increase of ex-pats in BGO at the height of the epidemic. A few days later we arrived in Kampala and began to look for appropriate housing for the 8 kids and 6 adults who had evacuated from our homes but were not leaving for America. That's when Savannah started having diarrhea and vomiting. Since she had been swimming and is known for drinking vasts amounts of pool water I was concerned but not panicky. However, that changed later in the afternoon when she began to spike a fever. Even though there was no possible way she had contracted Ebola, my heart kept freaking out. Jennifer reassured me that she was not infected and her malaria test was negative. But she was obviously sick, very. UGH.
We weren't at home, Ebola was the front page headline in both national papers. Every clinic in Kampala had big signs warning about the symptoms, especially for those traveling to or from our district. By the next day her fever was high and that afternoon she had her second febrile seizure. Even with ibuprofen and Tylenol on board her fever hovered around 103. She and I spent a lot of time in the shower, but she still seized again the next day. We finally took her to the hospital. The diagnosis... a UTI (urinary tract infection). Nothing exotic, nothing unfamiliar, thank you, Lord.
Today, was her fifth and last day of injections. She is up running around, (fever free) playing games with her brother Nate as they pretend to be either "Rocket" from The Little Einsteins or "Max and Emmie" from Dragon Tales. The rest of us are busy making the MAF guest house our Christmas Home. A live tree in the corner, nativity sets from home on the shelves, Christmas music blaring from Ashley's I-Pod, all we need is snow! So this morning we set out to make a blizzard. For hours we folded and cut paper snowflakes and attached them to the ceilings. I must admit, it doesn't make the temperature change much, but it does make our hearts sing.
Thank you for continuing to pray for us during this time of turmoil and yet celebration. Like so much of our life here, it is an odd mish-mash of emotions. Gratitude, concern, anxiety, out-right panic, love, and joy. Although I do admit I could do without the panic and the seizures!
1 comment:
We are not directly part of the WHM family (although we are good friends of Mark and Joanna Stewart whom we taught with in Cville, VA), but we are still part of your larger Christian family and want you to know that we have been praying for you, the kids, the entire team, the district, and everyone involved. We have been following Scott and Jennifer's blog (and the rest of the team when they are posting). The Massos were in our church (New Life, Glenside, PA) two Sundays ago and they were able to be the physical representation of your team and convey to us some of what you must be experiencing. Thank you for continuing to share so that we can continue to stand with you in joy, grief, thankfulness, tears, and prayers. Blessings to all of you.
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