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The link at the bottom of this page, the very bottom is of 3 minute video about a 6 year old boy we found on a recent medical
mission to a small village in South Eastern Guatemala. He was diagnosed 3 years ago with a heart problem and our doctor said
he will die very shortly without immediate surgery. We have an appointment with the cardiologist on Wednesday, Sept 26.
Wednesday. Sept 26 Took Dustin to the Cardiac Doctor O'Connel as shown below. Dr. says Dustin has lived longer than
they would have expected given his condition. A normal hear has 4 chambers; 2 on the right and 2 on the left, upper and lower.
Dustin has only three. Blood is combined in one large lower chamber which results in his receiving only 68% of the normal
oxygen supply. Dr orders test to be done Thursday at 11:00 a.m. and requests we don't leave the city until the results are
in as emergency surgery may be required. Dustin and family return with us to our home as we must return to Guatemala City
tomorrow.
Thursday, Sept 27 Went for test at 11:00 a.m. 3 HOURS! Dr. Thelma administers tests and consults with Dr O'Connel.
They must do immediate procedure to attempt to open a shut valve with a catheter. If successful no surgery is needed immediately.
Problem is the advanced age. Drs. say normally this procedure is accomplished on babies or very young children. Dustin is
6 years old. If not successful after several attempts open heart surgery will be performed. Drs. say this needs to be done
immediately but...there are no beds in the hospital until Tues, Oct 1. They will admit him Monday. They warn us that his
heart is like door that opens and shuts, opens and shuts. If Dustin exerts any energy, even crying hard he could die. The
decision is made that Dustin and his family will come to live with us a few days until the surgery as there is no way for
them to get back and forth to their village and the hospital.
Friday, Sept 28 Dustin returned home at 9:00 p.m. after a difficult day of being stuck with need needles and beginning
to develop a cough and sore throat. But he is here at our house to spend a restful weekend before his entrance into the hospital
Monday and surgery Tuesday. The cost of the surgery, assuming the catheter procedure works and open heart surgery is not
needed, is roughly $4,000 US, not including the Doctor.
Saturday, Sept 29 We received news this a.m. that one of Teresitas relatives had died today in El Pinal, the funeral
being tomorrow (no refrigeration here). I had just talked to this 45 year old father of 6 two weeks ago as we treated him
in the medical clinic (thanks medical group!) for a bad knee. I invited him to visit us and he was excited. We decide to
make the 5 hour drive to attend the funeral and to pick up Teresitas relatives on the way. Dustin and his family will make
the trip as well. So much for the restful weekend.
Sunday, Sept 30 We drive to El Pinal for the funeral, dropping off Dustin and his family in the city at the Howard
Johnsons Hotel to rest before admission to the hospital tomorrow.
Monday, Oct 1 Tests, test and more tests. Dustin is admitted but is not happy. By days end he is despondent and will
not talk. He sits in his bed, watching the TV, a tear slowly rolling down his face from time to time.
And one other thing. Lloyd and Melanie from a ministry here called "Salomons Porch" have graciously offered
to cover 1/2 of the cost of this procedure. Pray for them as well that they will find a new location as their lease is up
in one more month. And if you would like to contribute, their website is http://www.porchdesalomon.org/
Tuesday, Oct 2 Teresita and I go to pay the hospital, only to find that the Doctors have decided to wait for two weeks
on the surgery due to Dustins developing 'Gripe' (flue in spanish). Not the news we wanted to hear but nonetheless the facts
of life. God is not surprised by this news! And we trust that all is working in HIS plan. A couple of thoughts concerning
this news follows.
God is helping a little boy who might receive his life in El Pinal. At around the same time another life ceased in the
same village. We trust even when we don't understand. And that is why we receive the peace that passes understanding. Even
when it is hard for us, as it always is. Trust in the Lord...
As noted above the Doctor has stated that physical exertion, even crying can kill Dustin. When he is finally released
from the hospital; after being poked and stuck and prodded for two days; after being driven for hours and hours; after living
at strange peoples houses; Dustin has had all he can take. When he and his parents get into our truck for the ride to the
bus terminal to return home, Dustin begins to cry. We try to comfort him but he is just overwhelmed by the experience. The
more we try to calm him, the harder the sobs become as he tells us, "I want to go home, I want to go home!" What
to do?
On the floor in the truck, at the feet of Dustin and his mother is a bag. In the bag is a boxed set of two toy motorcycles
that Teresita and I have purchased for our son Javier just that morning. Quickly we show Dustin the motorcycles, thinking
that will take his mind off his crying. And boy does it! Dustin immediately stops crying and clutches the box of toys to
his chest. But Dustin doesn't want to see the motorcycles, he wants to own them! And so he does (Javier won't know the difference...)
and that stops his crying and everything becomes calm and peaceful. The providence of God...
And lastly, the surgery has now been rescheduled for October 16. Two weeks to wait but October 16 is Teresitas birthday!
Happy Birthday!
Teresita and I will be in the U.S. from 10/9 until 10/16 for business, returning the morning of the 17th. Please continue
to pray for this situation. God does have the master plan!
Sunday, October 14 Dustin makes the 3 hour trip to the city.
Monday, Oct 15 Dustin and his mother and father enter the hospital at 7:30 a.m. to prepare for the surgery tomorrow.
The initial surgery will be an attempt to place a catheter into his heart to force open the faulty valve. The entry will
be made via an artery/vein in his leg. If this surgery fails he will have emergency open heart surgery. Everything is ready
and many are praying for Dustin and his family.
Tuesday, Oct 16 The initial surgery is successful and no further surgery is immediately needed.
Wednesday Oct 17 Teresita and I return from the U.S. and go to the hospital, where we find Dustin, happily watching
TV! Yes, that is a smile on his face as he holds a Hershy candy bar (Walmart, .33cents). No longer are his lips or fingers
purple! The doctor releases Dustin in the afternoon and he is home now! He will return in two months for a further evaluation.
Thank you all for your concern and prayers. And we thank God for everything!
Click here for the video
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