Memorial Day In South Africa

Though South Africa doesn’t celebrate Memorial Day, this has certainly been a Memorial Day weekend I’ll never forget: Starting with the death of two babies.
So sad, but apparently such a rare occurrence these days, with the ART meds.

Lorenzo was over a year old, but seemed a 3 month old in size and strength. Both his parents and a sister, Logan, live here, but not together as we only have facilities for mothers with children, one for men, and another for babies. So Lorenzo was in the baby ward, Debby, the mom, in a closet size room with the 3 yr. old Logan, and Dad with the men.

Many nights I’d see Vincent, the dad, in the nursery holding his son and playing with him, but I never saw Debby there. I am not sure if she had mentally removed herself from her son or what, but she hardly showed any emotion before or after his passing.

Vincent is a warm and loving dad who I enjoyed spending time conversing with. The best description I have of their appearance is they look Hispanic, but here they are referred to as colored. Black, Colored and White are used as descriptions, not in any way derogatory. If you are of mixed race, you are colored, no matter how white and/or black you may be.

The funeral was yesterday and it was very moving The musical trio was awesome . All in all, it was a sad but inspiring afternoon.

The other sweet baby's name is Phephile. She has been hospitalized most of her short life, but I did spend a day with her two weeks ago when we took her to the AIDS Clinic. I thought she was blind, with little neurological, response. It seemed the virus was too far along in her system and she never became well enough to treat. I know nothing about her funeral or family but I will be present to help send her to Gods loving arms.

I am now so busy, that it is difficult to find time to “blog”, so I haven’t time to share the happy stories of the week. But believe it or not, there are many.

This morning at mass I remembered my parent and sister and all the friends that reside with them in the heavens. I have lost so many friends from this disease, that I feel a piece of my heart resides in the heavens already.

Have a lovely weekend

Marie

Chilly, Chilly, Downright Cold-Burr

Yesterday it turned so cold here, we actually had a hail storm. I ran outside to help a friend take the laundry off the clothes line and now I have a Cold-ug!
Besides sneezing and coughing and blowing my nose, I had a quiet weekend so far.
For the first, and probably the only, time I am alone in the guest house, but even with the electric heater and a gas heater on full blast, I sit here trying to type with gloves on-ha.
No need to feel sorry for me as I am usually more than comfortable in this home. I have had my own room and will have until a young woman from the States arrives on tues.. Her name is Emily and she has volunteered here before, but that is all I know about my soon to be roommate.. This past Wed. four students from Vanderbilt Univ. arrived and they all share a room. Apparently Joanne’s dad lives in Johannesburg and she was here last year. They are all pre-med students, so I enjoyed their help with the assessments last week.
I also did assessments on the ambulatory adults this week, which I really enjoyed, as I got to converse with them and now I think we know each other a bit. I had a great conversation with “Ben”, a charming man who actually plays with the kids. He has severe neuropathy and I had brought some neurontin (thanks James) from home. When I found out that he was going to the neurologist the next day, I sent it with him with a note to his Dr. The Dr. was thrilled, as neurotin is unavailable in South Africa. Ben is thrilled too, as he feels it will help his walking and decrease his discomfort level. So if anyone has access to Neurotin, please mail it to me!
I also met a beautiful 22 yr. old woman with a two year old son,who has TB and, of course, AIDS. She had terrible thrush in her mouth and didn’t seem to know it could be treated. All she asked for was something for panic attacks. Bless her heart, Candace has good reason for panic attacks. So I gave her something for her mouth, hugged her and promised I’d try to help her with her anxiety.
The one consolation I could offer is that here she is in a safe place with people who care, and that her sweet little boy is being treated for TB and HIV-AIDS and, hopefully, will live a long life. Thinking about the fact that at 22 yrs, she has so much to contend with, humbled me. I’ll try to get a pic of this beautiful mother and son and share it with you.
Speaking of photos, my friend Carolyn has put my camera-computer connection in the mail-Yahoo.!But since I have yet to receive my big box I sent myself 6 weeks ago, we’ll see-humm
I did receive mail this week! Thanks Bon, Dana and nurse Sharon. Those pics of Laney graduating from kindergarten are priceless!
South African Blessings to you all,
Marie

I've found my Niche!

Hi Dear Friends
This is my first attempt to use ”Word” to type my blog, then copy and paste (a newly learned skill!) Wish me luck! We pay for internet time by the minute, so hopefully this will save me money! What a week this has been and it is only Thursday morning. Monday was a bit frustrating as miscommunications between myself and the caregivers almost drive me crazy, but, as usual, friends(namely Carol B. and Bill N) talked me down and Tues, Wed and Thur, so far, are going swimmingly.
Tues is AIDS Clinic day and that is always a zoo, but this week I felt more like a nurse than a babysitter, and was thrilled when a young Austalian woman doctor asked my opinion about little 2½ yr. old Simon, who though precious, has no affect and seems unable to even decide what he wants to eat. I offered him a banana, juice, and bread(they eat a lot of just plain unbuttered bread here.) He would eat anything I gave but just look at me pitifully when he wanted more. The Dr. said his levels indicated it was time to start him on antivirals. Simon arrived about the same time as I did, so I feel a kinship with him--smile. Of course we know little about him, but it is obvious he has not had a particularily joyful life thus far.
I mentioned to the Dr. that he had a congested cough and a runny nose and questioned whether it a cold, pneumonia or possible TB (which most of the children have or have had in their young life.) Upon listening to his chest, she said she thought it was upper airway as his lung seemed clear. I guess my “OK” was unconvincing , so she ordered an X-ray for further studies.
Simon wasn’t very happy about the bloodwork, and x-ray but didn’t seem to hold it against me. Children are wonderful that way, they don’t take things personally. Something for us all to take note of--smile.
In any case, Simon does indeed have TB and treatment will commence immediately, followed in several weeks with HIV-AIDS treatment. Bless his little heart, I am sorry he is sick, but happy to have been instrumental in his recovery.
I also started to work as an Aide with the adult hospice patients. In the mornings I enjoy both the work and the interaction with the patients. We have not had any terminal patients dropped off in over 10 days, which apparently is a record.
Then in the afternoons I start the assessments: general once over of each child(150) each week. I report any problems(earache, skin conditions,chest colds,swollen glands etc.) to Corine(the founder of Sparrows.) She orders treatment and arranges for the Dr. to check them if necessary. It is enormous fun trying to get the name that matches the child, as most have names like Awakese, or Mbalienhle, not easy like Simon or Happiness or Patience.
So ,as you can see, I am settling in and finding my place amongst the many caregivers at Sparrows. Again, I suggest you google www.sparrowvillage.org to find out more about this wonderful hospice/orphanage.
Mornings are cold, but it is only 10 am and it has warmed considerably.
Thank you for all the birthday wishes.
Love and Blessings
Marie