no blood.

I have a rather urgent prayer request that we would greatly appreciate your prayers for.  


Our friend and the girls' nanny, Gertha, was having major stomach pains and swelling in her abdomen last week that were diagnosed locally as gas.  After a few days, she got better.  But then this past Sunday she started having excruciating pain again, and her stomach started to get bigger and bigger and hot to the touch.  By Tuesday, she could not get out of bed, her stomach looked like she was 6 months pregnant, and she was in so much pain that she couldn't speak to me, much less sit up. 

Wednesday morning we sent her to the hospital in Milo, which has the reputation of being the best hospital in the North.  They immediately admitted her, noting that her condition was serious. 


I spoke to her husband last night who is staying there with her, and he shared that she is on IVs.  When I asked what the doctors had diagnosed her with, he said simply, "No blood.  She has no blood."


Blaming blood (too much blood, not enough blood, sour blood, sweet blood, black blood)  is a rather cultural norm-explanation for sickness, so I persisted.  "What do you mean?"


Wislin explained to me that it had been explained to him that every human has 5 Liters of blood in their bodies, and that they had determined somehow that Gertha only has 1 Liter of blood in hers.  


He could not tell me how this is resulting in a swollen stomach and intense pains, but explained that today (Friday) she is to receive the additional 4 liters that she is missing, and asked if I could send more money so they could buy the blood.


"What kind of blood?" I asked Wislin, fear starting to creep in.


"Um, they said they'll take her parents blood for $100 Haitian, and then give her that, for another $100 Haitian."  


gulp.


After working hard all night to give my worries, my many concerns with this diagnosis and remedy, and dear Gertha--mother of adorable 4 month old Talia--to God, this is what it comes down to...

Doctors, whatever I think of their abilities, are the highest form of medical expertise in this country.  People have great confidence in them, just as we have great confidence in our doctors Stateside.  We do what they tell us.  So do our brothers and sisters here.  There is no WebMD.  No "Let's Google that!"  There is widely no general knowledge of how our bodies work, and many understandings about biology and anatomy are traditions/superstitions based.


After going a few local places, we sent Gertha to the best place available.  We can't take her out of there because things sound crazy when everyone else thinks things sound spot-on.  I'm no doctor, either, and the reality is that I have no place to take her nor the knowledge or ability to figure out what she needs.  Despite my strong desire as an American to swoop in there and take care of things myself...I can't do that.  

baby Talia

So, do I believe that God is the one ultimately in control, or not?  Do I trust Him, or don't I?  We have done what we can do, we are supporting what her family desires to do, and we will keep helping them pay for whatever the doctors are telling her she needs...and I have not stopped praying, trying to lay down all my many thoughts about this situation and instead, by faith, say (over and over, it seems)... 

You know what is wrong.  You know what she needs.  Lord, please heal Gertha.


Please pray with me, and I'll keep you posted.  Thank you...