I just said goodbye to Alou. He has been with us since December and I have worked with him everyday I've been at the hospital since. Tomorrow he leaves to go home. This should be a happy moment because he is getting to leave the hospital. Instead, it is sad. He is going home to die. The treatments have not cured his cancer. Though his spleen did decrease in size, the cancer was too much for him and we were advised by Brett's pediatric oncologist friend, Alan, to stop treatment. I know it is unrealistic to think that we can save all kids, especially those with cancer, here in Mali but nonetheless it hurts.
Here he is riding a car around the pediatric building.
Then they moved on to the real cars. They would often ask "mobili boli" which means to drive the car. This is the three cancer kids we have. Alou, Kadia and Francois.
Alou taking a turn driving. I decided that this was his "Make A Wish" dream so we started driving the car everyday. I also used the golf cart that is at the hospital which was a lot of fun as well.
He started having tons of sores in his mouth, which is when we really decided that treatment wasn't going to help. He has lost several pounds since his arrival. Regardless, he is still a cutie.
And since this is a sad post, I thought I'd end on a happier note. This is Francois. He is 3 1/2 weeks into treatment and responding well. We are hopeful for a full recovery. This kid is precious. The picture doesn't do him justice.
Here I am with the kiddos about to go out for a ride. The fourth kid behind Kadia is Boaz who has been at the hospital several months for a wound on his leg.
As much as it hurts, I am thankful for sweet Alou and the opportunity to spend the last couple months with him. He has such a sweet spirit and was very playful when he felt well. We will miss him. Please pray for his family as they take him home and watch him die. Pray that through this sad time and the time spent at the hospital that they would come to know our Savior and find peace in Him.
Girl, I don't know how you do it. We visited the oncologist office twice with Oliver and it was so emotionally draining on me to see all the kids with cancer. Kudos to you! PS I love the new picture of the boys in the header. They are getting so big and grown up looking!
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize you were working with children with cancer! (do you just work with everyone in the hospital?) How will the family treat his pain once he goes home? Do you know how long he is expected to live? Man, this is so sad. I prayed for his family after reading your post. Thanks for sharing! Love you girl and so proud of the work that you do. Honored to be your friend.
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