The Many Faces of Wonder



 

Today, I visited the village of Kondokpie, a community of Kalsagri. It is the village where Naamal was living with her grandmother. Since Rev. Job, who has taken so much time with the care of Naamal while she was in the hospital and after, was in Lawra, I asked him to go with me to visit Naamal's grandmother. Friends of mine, Tula and Gary Crumpton, came along with us. When we arrived at the house, we asked for Naamal's Maakum (Grandmother.) We were told that her grandmother traveled south to Techiman to see Naamal! Amazing! This is the woman who pleaded with me to help her grandchild because no one else would help her.



 

Instead of leaving, we greeted the chief of this small community. Then, we showed him the before and after pictures of Naamal. Words cannot express the look on his face...awe, astonishment, wonder...and then, the photos were passed around. Naamal's uncle, who cannot hear or speak, was jumping up and down with joy, showing the pictures to extended family. People kept coming from their homes and from "out of nowhere" to see...male and female, young and old, all wanted to see the difference in Naamal. Unbelief...realizing a miracle had taken place. Everyone was so happy and so grateful. At least twenty people came all at once and shook our hands to thank us. I responded, "Barka Naangmen!" (Thank God!) Naamal's uncle went to the family house and came out with a bag of groundnuts from his family farm. He just didn't know what to say. Those were holy moments...moments when God was present and experienced by all. Even as we walked back to the truck, more people came to see the photos. They could not believe that this was possible! Our God is so good...to take a five year old girl who was seen as worthless to her parents, and He gave he a new life...a new face...her family back. Praise God for all of His wonderful deeds!

 

A Bend in the Road...the Journey Continues

 

This past Wednesday, I traveled to Kumasi. I was hoping to see Naamal at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. The last I heard was that she needed surgery for an additional benign tumor and her father was "dragging his feet" to return her to KATH. Plenty of people here in Ghana and throughout the world we praying that he would bring her back for the needed surgery. Well, Dad did bring her to the hospital this week. I, along with Rev. Job, went to see her and her father.

 

We were able to talk with Naamal's father and to see Naamal. She is looking fine except for that huge tumor in her mouth. It was cute to see her wave & smile at Rev. Job. She has gotten to know him during her visits to KATH.

 

While we were at KATH, we were able to talk with one of Naamal's doctors. This is what he said, "Naamal's tumor is NOT benign. It is malignant. This type does not respond to chemotherapy. Naamal will have to have surgery. They will open her up, from her bottom lip down and remove as much of the tumor as possible. And, since her jaw has been destroyed by the growing of this tumor, the jaw will have to be removed. Either a mesh or a plate will be inserted to keep her face from caving in. Either now, or later, a plate will be put in that will be permanent. Then reconstructive surgery will have to be done when she has finished growing. A feeding tube will have to be inserted for awhile. But, the doctors won't know until the surgery if it will be able to be inserted through the mouth or not. They may have to make an incision in the throat and insert it that way. When it is all over and done, the only deformity she will have is that her mouth will be a bit wider than normal." The surgery is scheduled for Tuesday, 29 October 2013.

Prior to surgery, Naamal's father, Joseph, has to find at least two people to donate blood for use during surgery. Plus, any tubes, mesh, plates etc, that will be needed for surgery will have to be bought since the health insurance does not cover these costs.

 

As I left the hospital, I was about to cry. I knew that Naamal would need extensive work done. But, hearing it made it so much more real. My heart was crying, even if my eyes weren't. "O, LORD. please be with Naamal as she travels this road. My heart hurts for her as I think of removing the jaw. I pray that Joseph, her father, will still agree to the surgery when he realises what it involves. Father God, watch over this small one of Yours, give her peace. Somehow, let her know that she is safe in Your hands. And, when it is over and done, may Naamal and Joseph praise Your name and give You thanks for Naamal's health. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen."

The Journey Continues...



 

The journey continues for Naamal. (Her given name is Gloria!) I visited her yesterday. She is still a patient in Comfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. The biopsy was on Friday. Her father told Rev. Job that they remover two of her teeth when in reality the took two small samples of her tumor. That , in a way, tells you her mouth is very mis-shaped! The results won't be back until the 30th of this month.

 

Naamal will be treated as if she has Burkitt's Lymphoma because the doctors are 99% sure of it. The biopsy was to confirm it. So, she will not have surgery, only chemo therapy. Her first chemo treatment was on Monday. Tuesday, when I saw her, she was doing quite well...probably a bit bored because there is nothing to do. Her mother came to Kumasi to be with her for a few days while her father went home for a few days. As soon as her mother left the room, Naamal changed her clothes & started playing with the items in her backpack. Plus, my sister sent her a coloring book and crayons that kept her busy for quite a while.

 

One of the many blessings has been Rev. Job, a friend (really, he has been part of my Ghanaian family) of mine who lives in Kumasi. Rev. Job Chewogo has kept in touch with Naamal and her parents. He speaks to them on the phone every day and visits every time he is in the area...about four times a week! He has also agreed to be the person to help deal with the financial aspects of her treatment, since I live so far away. I thank God for everything he has done for us!

 

Naamal will probably be discharged sometime this week, but I don't know for sure. Please pray that her parents will follow through with the chemo treatments. That is the only way she will get well...in addition to the prayers that are being lifted up world wide for her.

 

The next update will probably be in a few weeks. Stay tuned!

Komfo Anokye Bound

For Naamal, the journey to health via Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) began in the wee hours of the morning on Monday, August 12, 20013. I met her and her father, Joseph in "downtown" Lawra at 4:00 AM! Naamal had her best dress on, complete with holes. But, she was dressed in her best! We waited for the bus to Kumasi where we would find Komfo Anokye. We waited. And talked. And waited. Did I mention that we waited? Finally, a bus came. YAY! Oh, it was full. Now what? We took a tro tro to Wa. Then, from Wa, we took a tro tro to Kumasi. At leat the tro tro to Kumasi had more room in it. Naamal was able to sleep. We covered her with a piece of cloth (that is what people use here instead of blankets) so she wouldn't get cold in the cool morning air.

 

We arrived at Komfo Anokye around 3 PM. I tried to call Rev. Job, one of my Ghanaian family, but I wasn't able to reach him. He had told us to go to his house first & he would go to KATH with us. Since I could not connect with him, we went straight to KATH. KATH has very tight security...no one is allowed in unless it is visiting hours or an emergency. The taxi stopped at the gate. The guard leaned in to ask why we were there and he saw Naamal. "That is serious!" he said. So, without any of us saying anything, we were allowed in.

 

First, we went to Emergency. Naamal's vital signs were taken, and basic questions were asked before we were sent to pediatric emergency. There, more medical history was taken and blood work was done. Everyone was so kind! Naamal would be admitted since she lived so far away. The diagnosis from the start was Burkitt’s Lymphoma. Now, "investigations" (tests) would be done to confirm it. 

 

Joseph would stay at the hospital with Naamal since the parent is expected to care for their child. Food for Naamal would be provided by the hospital. This is very rare in Ghana. Usually the family has to provide the food, too. The investigations would begin on Tuesday.

 

The tests that were done this week were a massive amount of bloodwork, chest x-ray, bone marrow test, ultra sound on her liver since it was enlarged and a biopsy of her tumor. She was given a unit of blood on Thursday because her blood counts were low.

 

The hardest day for me was Thursday. And, up to that point, it was probably the hardest day for Naamal. I arrived early in the morning with a backpack filled with new underwear, a dress, shorts & a top and a pair of flip flops. She was thrilled! Every once in a while, she would unzip the backpack, take out the clothes and try them on herself or on her baby elephant I gave her when she was admitted. But, the fun did not last. The nurse came to take Naamal for the bone marrow test. When her father carried her back into the room, she looked so small, she was very tired and went to sleep. Joseph was asked by the nurses to go and get something, so I stayed with Naamal. As she slept, she was whimperong. And, my heart broke into a million pieces. I tried to comfort her. She wouldn't let me. So, I held her hand and sang to her..."Jesus loves you..." At the same time, she was receiving the unit of blood. Later in the day, she was herself again. I left for Lawra early Friday morning. Rev. Job called me Friday night. Naamal had the biopsy. When he visited her, she was crying. Oh! How I wish I could help her so she wouldn't hurt. But, it is bound to hurt more before it gets better.

 

Naamal will be treated for Burkitt's even before the lab results are in because doctors are 99% sure that is what her tumor is, it has to be varified. Her treatment will consist of chemo therapy, no surgery! That is amazing to me. The nurses said that they have seen worse. The chemo will shrink the tumor! Once discharged, Naamal will have to return to KATH evry three weeks for treatment. Joseph was STRONGLY encouraged to stay in the Kumasi area as a precaution. Naamal would not be able to travel to Lawra and back every three weeks. Plus, she needs to be closer to the hospital just in case she gets sick, has a bad reaction, etc...This trip was a cultural lesson for me. The hospital is different than what I am used to in the USA. Plus, the insurance does not cover blood work, x-rays, bone marrow tests, lab reports, pathology reports, gauze, bandages, etc. Right now, to start, the chemo itself will be free because the hospital has it in stock and it was donated. But, we don't know how many times it will be available at no charge. No one would even give me an estimate for the cost, but I will keep on trying.

 

When I look back on the past week, I can see God's fingerprints all over it. He has been so good to us, caring for us all the way, protecting us and providing for us. And, I know He will continue! Thank You, Lord God Almighty, healer of our bodies and everything else we would ever want or need!

 

 

 

 

 



Culture Check

 

Two weeks ago, a woman came to the Kalsagri church with her grand-daughter, Naamal. She said that this wasn't her church. But, could we please help her grand-daughter? Naamal's parents don't want her because of the growth in her mouth. So, they sent her to Kasalgri to live with "Maakum" (Grandmother). Maakum is old. She can't do much for the girl. She said that others said they would help, but no one has. So, I took her picture, sent out a few emails. She might have a Burkitt’s lymphoma tumor, I don't know. But, what we did find out is that she has to go to the local hospital to get a referral to the Wa hospital. Then, at the Wa hospital, she has to get a referral to a teaching hospital in Kumasi. This would be a great hardship for the family.

 

Since I didn't know the girl's surname, guardian name, birthdate, age, etc., we went to visit the grandmother today. After we greeted her, we asked all kinds of questions about Naamal. The grandmother did not know the child's surname or the father's surname. She did not know the age of the child. We were told that Naamal was not born this way. This growth/tumor has been growing for three years. She was taken to the local hospital by her Maakum. The doctor wanted to give her a referral. But, Maakum told the doctor to wait until Naamal's father came back from down south. Someone did eventually get a hold of the father. He refused to come. There is an uncle who lives at the family house. But, he cannot speak. So, when asked who would take responsibility for Naamal, if we could take to to the various doctors, the answer was there is no one locally. We tried to call both the mother and the father. Neither one answered their phone. So, our hands are tied as we wait and continue trying to call the parents.

 

I couldn't help but think that this would never happen in America. I wonder what will become of Naamal. Will she ever see a specialist? Or will she die before she gets the chance? Lord, give me wisdom!