This blog post is far more important than all the rest. I am asking for prayers for our boy Richard. He is an 8 year old boy who has been with us here at JCC for many years- since the before I moved here. He lives in house 4 with Mommy Erica. His brothers and sisters there are Stevie, Senesie, Patrick, Mabel, Nancy, Janet, Sudie, Gifty, and Mbalama.
While I was home this past Nov/Dec. I got a call that Richard was sick and had been for a few weeks. They took him to three different doctors here in Bo. When I got back he was still sick and his body was swollen. Again we took him to the doctor a few times. Finally on Christmas Day at the MSF (Doctors Without Borders) hospital we got a diagnosis of Nephrotic syndrome. He was put on meds and we took him home. By the following week his body had continued to swell to the point he really struggled to walk. We took him back and he was admitted for a time. Since then he has gottten better and worse again and better and worse- after taking him back a few times we were told the doctors were discouraged with his progress and were not sure what to do.
At this point we decided to move on to Freetown. Mommy Erica, Harry and I took Richard to Freetown to Dr. Marke- he is a doctor who trained in the United States and has worked here for many years. He is also a Christian. He ran extensive tests on Richard- including ultrasound, x-ray, blood and urine tests- He confirmed for sure it is nephrotic syndrome but that he needed to be on some other meds as well. We upped his dose and added the other meds and headed back to Bo. For a week or so it seemed to be helping and then again he started to go down hill.
Dr. Marke even made a special trip to JCC to see him and we got more labs and added some different meds for other infections. After just a couple days Richard was at his worst. He stopped eating and couldn't keep down his meds- this has been three days now.
Tomorrow morning we are going to Freetown to be admitted. Dr. Marke will be able to watch him closely and see if there is something we can do to see progress in his treatment. Honestly we know that the treatment for this illness is 6 months- but it should have started making a difference long ago. Richard's body and spirit are tired. Mommy Erica and I are discouraged and have tried so many things. Even the simple things are tough. Richard cannot eat salt- that means we not only cook him seperate food but he is really starting to miss eating what he likes.
This boy is one that hardly EVER complains- I don't want to share too much- but his privates were swollen larger than an large orange- almost a grapefruit and though you could tell he was in pain he STILL did not complain. He is not letting us know more often that he is hurting- so I know that means he is hurting. He is also close to me when ever I am home or near the hut- so is he. Before this time you would always find Richard on the football field or running with the big boys- he hardly ever spent much time around me. Now to have him right next to me whenever possible I also know he is NOT feeling well.
We are trusting God and know that Richard is in his hands. Please pray with us- lift Richard and his health and spirit to God. Also pray for all his brothers and sisters I mentioned- they love him and care for him dearly. And please pray for Mommy Erica- she has a 1 year old and 8 other children she takes care of and she too loves Richard and has tried her very best to help him and it is so hard when you do not see him getting better and spend your nights up with him having to watch him in pain.
I know those of you who have met him care deeply for him and those of you who haven't I know i can still count on your prayers for this young guy and all who do love him and just want to see him back on the football field with his big brothers.
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