Seizure clinic - April 28, 2016

Thursday we had the privilege of assisting Kathy Bowler (Children of Blessing Trust), Dr. Diane Young and Dr. Kelly Hodges (ABC community clinic) with a team of other helpers, in the seizure clinic in area 25. I will be totally honest - I am NOT a seizure doctor! What I do is see the 'refills'. Occasionally I have to adjust the dosages due to break through seizures, but mainly just checking their recent hx, their weight, etc and refilling the meds. The smart doctors (Diane and Kelly) do the difficult patients and, along with Kathy Bowler, evaluate the new patients.  Some of the patients are heart - wrenching - a 4 year old who weighs 10 kg (~20 pounds), who cannot hold her head up or control her arms / legs. She has more problems that her seizure disorder, obviously, but we have no means to really address those problems (I don't think her outlook would be any better in any western country, either). However, in the midst of all these terribly sad cases, we had a young woman who apparently has only idiopathic epilepsy - she arrived to get a refill, no seizures since last visit and the cutest little baby that she had - so because of Kathy Bowler and her work, this young woman now has a normal life, with a baby! We also had a 'chunk' of a little girl who was also doing well. So in the midst of sadness, there are some bright spots.

After the clinic, we were treated to a delicious dinner at the newest Assembly of God missionaries: Nancy and Archies - it was delightful and I wish I had taken some photos!  Archie DOES make the best ice cream in all of Africa!

Enjoy the photos.

Mom is the patient, but her baby was just adorable!!

Joey with one of the patients. 

Kelley McGowan, Diane Young, and me after the clinic.

This chunk of a sweetheart was the patient - she is frowning now but was giggling at first!

Thanks to all of you who have supported with funds and items. If you are interested in supporting, let me know, I will be planning next year's trip with I get home!