CHOOSE TO BE HAPPY TODAY !

Let me tell you a story about my Laney Bug: It was the year 2000, the millennium. While many of us breathed a relief that the digital world had not collapsed and we could put away our stored canned goods and extra bottles of water for another time, a young couple were told that their second child , who was due to be born that summer, would indeed be born with some type of disability. Tests were unable to determine exactly what that would be, but Amy and Jason Swartz, much to their credit, chose to continue the pregnancy anyhow.

Laney was born July 22, 2000 in Little Rock, AR. and immediately a tracheotomy was performed and Laney was put on a Ventilator to breath. After several months, she was stable enough to come home but with enough machinery to fill a garage and round the clock nursing care to assist this young couple in her care.

It was around November of that year when thru a Nursing Agency for which I worked I heard about Laney and within days I became her regular "Night Nurse". She was about 4 mo. old and taking care of Laney was my primary nursing position from that time until I went to California for mission training in August of 2006.

I don't have any photo's of those first years with me, but they were filled with trips to Little Rock Children's hospital (often in a snow or ice storm) for respiratory emergencies, as well as all the medical challenges involved with a baby on a ventilator, being fed thru a gastrostomy tube.

Unfortunately the marriage did not survive the strains of those difficult times but Laney did survive and did she ever! Somehow, thru the grace of God and parents who always put her first, she has not only survived but turned into a delightful, loving and very smart young lady. She attends regular school in her home town, with only extra assistence medically and with Sign Language.

Laney's condition never really had a definite diagnosis but she was born with a small chin, none of the apparatus necessary to swollow or eat regular food and only the ability to make sounds but not speak words. But none of that has stopped Laney from being an exceptional human being. She is an inspiration and a joy to be with. I count my years as her primary night nurse an honor and true blessing in my life.

I have a million Laney (Laney- bug obviously a nickname from Lady Bug-smile) stories but let me tell you one that changed my life and , hopefully, Laney's as well: She was about 4 years old and attending nursery school in Clinton, AR . A boy pulled Laney's trach out and though she is not completely trach dependent and it was immediately reinserted by her nurse, the incident, understandably, frightened her and she didn't want to go to school after that episode. Each day became more difficult to get her out of bed and dressed for the day.

Finally I asked her why she was so unhappy and scared to go to school and she told me the story, which I already knew, but allowed her to tell me in her own way. Thru her signing and tears I told her how very sorry I was that such a thing had happened and then went on to tell her that
her life would always hold some challenges because she was different from the other children but she would need to educate them---teach them how she breathed and ate and talked. But , mostly I taught her that being happy was not something that just happened but, rather, something she had to choose every day. Happiness was not a result but a choice.

My friends have often teased me about the way I speak to children, even babies, as if they could understand such "adult" concepts but my experience has been that indeed they do "understand" these concepts and re-teach them to me back again thru their lifetime.
I told her that evey morning when she awoke and said her prayers, thanking God for a good nights sleep, she needed to make this "choice" to be happy and share it with everyone she met that day.

Several days later, it was noticed that she woke easily, dressed for school, ready to greet the day. I asked her what had happened that she was in such a good mood. When she signed to me "I choose to be happy today" , I started to cry. Here was this precious soul re-teaching me a lesson I need to be reminded of on a regular basis, that happiness is, indeed a choice, not a result.

I felt that day that I could die happily, even if I never did another thing in my life. Of course, I am glad that wasn't the case, or I never would have had the opportunity to come to Uganda, be a missionary, meet and be a part of Michael's journey (and Baby Brenda, Patrick, Patience, Daniel ect) but I will never forget that reminder, that lesson, that magical moment when God's grace ran thru me to Laney and thru Laney back to me. It was one of the great gifts of my life.

Laney was sad that I was leaving but I spent almost a year preparing her for that day. When asked she will tell you that I have come to Africa to help the children. I pray I have not disappointed her.

Now she no longer needs the Ventilator to breathe but she is on it a couple of nights a week to encourage deep breaths and keep her O2 level where it needs to be. She can now feed herself thru her G-tube, give her own respiratory treatments and bathe herself, including washing her own hair.
They have already performed two sugeries to extend her chin cosmetically, though they will never be able to surgically correct what is not there-- Nor will she be able to speak, but with modern technology, computers and Sign language , my Laney Bug does quite well. But
whatever you do don't feel sorry for Laney, as that is the last thing she wants, afterall ---she is a magical,mystical little girl who only wants the freedom to "Choose to be Happy Today"

Last Christmas when I was in the States,I surprised Laney with a visit (helped by her Dad Jason) It was the kind of reunion sappy movies are made of. I walked into Laney's room while she was giving herself an Updraft Tx. and when she saw me, she immediately ran into my arms)tubes and all) and we hugged and hugged, with tears streaming down our faces. When her step sister later asked who was crying, I said "We both were, they were tears of joy!"










-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I Ipicked up a few belated birthday gifts for Laney's ninth (9th?-WOW) Birthday and this cute little pink short-set was one of them. Bonnie was also adorned in pink that day and it really isn't that unusual to see me in pink. Some Ugandan friends noticed this and asked if the only color Americans wore was pink? Ha, if it were up to me, probably so.

---------Bonnie--Marie--Laney (in the pink!)

Baby Brenda Survives and Thrives

---------- Let me tell you this amazing story as simply and clearly as I am able: It was the very end of August and I had just returned from a horrendous return trip from the States to Uganda.------While in Public Health, I noticed a rather ill looking womam with a very tiny baby in her arms----After some questioning I found that the mother was admitted in the Medical Ward with Congestive Heart Failure and had managed to bring her baby over to be immunized. --------------Mama Alfia and Baby Brenda 3 weeks ago

Only 6 weeks old at the time the baby was obviously very frail and starving, as Mom had little or no breast milk because of her illness.---------------At the same time Sanne, a young new RN from Sweden and I deliberated how to nourish this baby and still maintain hopes that the mother would regain her health sufficiently to again breastfeed her child.--------In the WHO (World Health Organization) book, a diagram was found how to tape an NG tube to a mothers breast, accomplishing two things 1) to nourish the baby with formula and 2) to stimulate the mothers milk, as the baby sucked on the nipple, so that she might again start producing milk.-------So this is what we did, while teaching the mother this technique so she might continue when she was discharged from the hospital. --------In a few days Mom became stable enough to go home and the baby with her.-------In about 2 and 1/2 weeks they returned ,and although Mom was again showing signs of fluid buildup in her chest, she somehow managed to put her own discomfort and struggle aside, to show me the baby and give me a thank you gift -a LIVE Chicken!-------------------OK, I am not that much of a country girl and I was Not comfortable holding a potential dinner flapping in my arms ( sorry no pics of that moment-ha) but I was very grateful for her kindness. -----Unfortunately Baby Brenda had only gained a miniscule amt of weight ,but appeared quite alert and bright eyed.------Mom,on the other hand did not look or feel at all well.------Finding that Dr. Damian was in the hospital doing rounds, I requested he see her, which he happily did and renewed her heart medication, her lasix and her asthma medication .-----Mom had not returned to the Dr.'s because of lack of funds, so while my helper Bernedette conversed with Mom, I had the prescriptions filled at our hospital pharmacy. ----Then the decision had to be made how to put some weight on this frail little being of less than 5 lbs at 2 mo.of age. I suggested Mom supplement her breast milk and NG/breast feedings with a couple of formula bottles a day, teaching her how to feed with a bottle , which she picked up quite easily

Mom and Brenda today , all packed up and ready to go home.

This is the page from the WHO book describing the technique we used -- very successfully!

Well, today, 2and 1/2 weeks later, they returned for follow up and it was a day to celebrate life in it's purest form!
Baby Brenda had gained 1and 1/2 lbs and Mom looked great! Mom's name is Alfia and she said she felt fine and was without symptoms (though her future prognosis is not good) and Baby Brenda---well--it brought tears to my eyes to see the improvement ; not just in weight gain but strength, as well.---------------------------------------------------- Sanne, the swedish nurse I mentioned earlier had just returned from an extended trip thru other parts of Africa with her new husband Cliff , so I anxiously tracked her down to come and see Brenda and Alfia.

------------This time Mom had brought me a huge (very heavy) basket of potatoes, which she had carried on her head, while Baby Brenda was strapped to her back. I "tried" carrying them on my head from Public Health to my home (causing gales of laughter from the local woman ) but they were just too heavy and even with nothing else in my arms, I was a huffin' and a puffin' by the time we reached my home.-------

------------Mom Alfia is doing very well and has the most beautiful smile, which her baby Brenda mimics to a tee. We all shared some time together, some tears of joy and laughter and off they went with another can of Nan (baby formula) in tow. It was a glorious day of Survival, friendship and ,as I said before, deep gratitude.

--Taken just today with Sanne (with Nan formula) Mom Alfia(with Baby Brenda) and me (with potatoes)

---There are many stories in one within this blog: Survival (absolutely) but also friendship and gratitude and JOY, just pure joy!

MICHAEL is definitely one "independent " little boy!

Now this is the way a young man should look celebrating his "Independence". Quite dapper, don't you think? ------------Michael loves to read and I couldn't be more proud!

----------Michael eating African style. What is particularly dear about his eating habits is he chews with his mouth closed. Have no idea how he learned such a civilized trait,

just seemed to come natural to him . Then he decided we should all share food, so he would put his hand out for one student to give him a potato or whatever , he would then give it to another student and so on and so on. It was so precious! Michael's version of sharing!

Michael looking so sad that he wasn't invited to join in the dance. I kept tucking his shirt in until I realized A) it was hopeless and B) he looked even cuter with it out.
Michael in blue jammies -- how sweet. He usually picks one of my items and stays fascinated with it for hours. This time it was a green tube of eye gel. It is as if he is actually trying to read it. My response"How else would you have such a young looking "Grammy", unless I used those products and walked everywhere, as I do in Uganda?" (Smile)

Shake Your Booty! Girls. I'd love to learn how to do this dance but I am afraid just one swish and I'd be in traction(Ha)

Independence Day Ugandan Style --Kisoro+ St. Francis Hospital

Dear Friends

Friday, the 9th was Uganda's Independence Day. The morning had typical activities such as parades. Well, not exactly typical, as instead of musical instruments and flags, most were carying guns and sticks, but a parade is a parade (I suppose)

In the afternoon was a huge celebration at the Nurses Dining Hall at St. Francis Hospital. Huge amts. of food were served (each person had a dish the size of a serving tray, with two kinds of rice, potatoes, fish, meat , matoki and greens. Everyone received a soda, warm as can be but they were happy for the treat.

Following the lunch-dinner, was entertainmnet , primarily by the Nursing Students. There had not been any power all day and at 4pm there still was none, but with great african drumming, who needs a sound system.

I had Michael for the day and he was ,as always, absolutely adorable. After he finished eating his plate full (didn't ssem to care for the fish) he proceeded to take a piece of food from one student and then give it to another. There was no stopping him! He decided we were all going to share each others food and so we did-ha. But boy did he enjoy our 1 coke. Each time it was my turn for a swig, I'd wipe off the top, not so much to protect myself from germs as because it was sopping wet from his trying to swollow the entire bottle. It seems Michael noted me doing this and decided that he also had to wipe the bottle top clean prior to his turn to take a swig. Now it was obvious he was not quite so willing to "share" the coke but he did it anyhow.

I enjoy when the nursing students entertain us with their local dances. What is interesting is how different the movements are from one area (Village) to another. With the grass skirt on , indicates an area more north of here, toward Kenya, with major hip movement, whereas here in Kisoro, the primary movement is a jumping up and down. You'll see it with the children in the following Blog, as well as here (if the video's come out, as I hope they will). ----Often the dances are mateing rituals, as seen in the video of the two young woman seducing the young man. Looks as if he liked Edwinah's hip movements, to me (ha)






If you ever are curious how Beyonce learned those "shake your booty" moves, just check out Edwinah in the blue shirt. (now that girl knows how to move!).

AIDS Orphans enjoy Independence Day

Some more precious faces I get to see and teach and learn from every Saturday.

Monica is not only a beautiful child but a miracle child as well. Only months ago she was covered in warts all over her face (eyelids, lips, everywhere)

HIV-AIDS had effected her brain and she could hardly maintain a thought for a minute. We thought we were going to lose her. But lots of TLC and ARV's turned herlife around and today she was skipping rope with her friends.

What I find truly astonishing is that all of the warts have disappeared. She is indeed a MIRACLE! ----The children had their own celebration with lots of drumming and dancing.

PRAISE YOU FATHER--- OCTOBER 2009

-------------------------"PRAISE YOU FATHER "LITURGICAL DANCE -----------

Here I am giving last minute instruction to the girls: The Prayer Dances goes Like this------------

--PRAISE YOU FATHER

-BLESS YOU JESUS

-HOLY SPIRIT THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE

-BEING HERE------------NOW!

Vicensia (your far left) is a Nursing Student who finishes her training in May of 2010. She is beautiful inside and out, and I am delighted to have spent so much time with her working on the Nurses first published magazine entitled "My Opinion" Latter I will enclose some of the articles and poetry submitted by the students. Hedwig, in the center is a University Graduate and teaches English and English Literature to a Secondary School in Kisoso, though she is anxious and ready to move on to a brighter future in Europe or the USA. Edwinah (your far right) is in her second year of Nursing and has shown a maturity and resilience unseen in most 19 year old women. She has lost both her parents to HIV-AIDS , is maybe the most graceful dancer around (when you see some major hip swinging in future blogs of local dancing--it will be Edwinah who will catch your attention.) and she is one of my adopted daughters.

This is the third year this beautiful liturgical dance was performed by 3 lovely young Ugandan women at St. Francis Hospital Chapel-Mutolere., on the Feast of St. Francis .How beautiful they were, and how honored I felt to teach them this dance that I first learned 30+ years ago and performed innumerable times in AZ. , PA, and, of course, AR., specifically at the Heartsong Retreats for those infected and affected with HIV-AIDS. This will be the last October I will be here, but perhaps the tradition will go on without me. --Praising God thru movement never seems to go out of style.

----------PRAISE YOU FATHER

---------------BLESS YOU JESUS!

----- HOLY SPIRIT--THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE--BEING HERE!