Against all Odds...

sometimes a happy ending…

Back in November, I posted a blog entry called “When to let go” about a 3 year-old girl with malnutrition that wasn’t getting better. I shared with you my heartbreaking decision to let her go home to die. Many of you emailed me your thoughts about this poignant tale. Many of you shared my sorrow. Maybe some of you prayed for this little girl. Because…the story didn’t end there. As I forced you to share in my sorrow at this girl’s impending tragedy by writing the initial blog entry, I write this blog entry to allow you to share in some of the joys of working here.

Two weeks after being discharged from our health center under her father’s wishes, 3 year-old Etalem came back. Her abdomen had become much more distended and her father couldn’t watch her become sicker at home any longer. After some studies, it became quite clear that she wasn’t only malnourished but also did indeed have tuberculosis. But it also was clear that she needed a higher level of care than we could provide. The father agreed to go to the university hospital in Jimma four hours away and we took her there on our next trip. We never know whether Jimma hospital will admit and help our patients or send them away with a follow-up visit scheduled in 3 or 6 months. Miraculously, they admitted her to their inpatient ward. Three weeks later, she and her father returned to our health center with a confirmed diagnosis of tuberculosis in her abdomen and lungs…and more importantly, a 2 kg weight gain and many signs of clinical improvement. We continued her TB meds, and she is now nearing the end of her regimen.

Although still underweight and with a slightly distended abdomen, Etalem looks much better and seems to be on the track to recovery. Her father always wears a huge grin when they visit. Erin and I and all the nurses can’t help but smile as well. We don’t want to get ahead of ourselves, though. Etalem is still a malnourished child under 5 years-old in Ethiopia, which means she remains at risk for many diseases that could prevent her from surviving into adulthood. Yet I can’t help but to imagine and hope for this little girl to grow up and live a healthy happy life.