There is a beautiful boy lying on the floor of my basement watching television. Resting in a sea of pillows, he is singing along with Baloo,"...a da da doe nee...zip zap noe nee...sciddley wap, sciddley wap, sciddley wap, wowza..." trying to match the jazz scat of the old bear in Walt Disney's "Jungle Book". He has had a very rough 48 hours. It's nice to see him smile again.
All day Thursday Francis was anxious to get to the hospital. I am not sure how much of what was about to happen was within his ability to grasp. Many people were there waiting for us...TV crews, old friends from the KC Star, Tamba and his son. Mohamed arrived and began to translate to this young man what was about to happen to him. He was scared and excited. Mohamed's last encouragement to him was to "be a man!" Francis glanced at his surgical gown and responded, "How can I be a man when I am dressed like a woman?". You have to laugh at this boy.
Surgery went well. Recovery was hell. Never in my life have ever I seen anyone so terrified. His wide eyes seemed to see nothing. He was rocking back and forth screaming and yelling in mendey, his native tongue. He was inconsolable. Pushing everyone away while tearing at his blankets and bandages the tears poured down each cheek. Fortunately his IV was in his foot and carefully wrapped in gauze. He is unable to fully extend his other arm or he would have tried to yank it out. It was obvious to me he was mentally and emotionally miles away from the Olathe Medical Center. He was outside his family hut, several years ago, living once more the agony of his parents death and the searing pain of his arms being held in steaming water. And he could not hear or see me trying to calm him and there was no Mohamed to translate. After another dose of Demoral he began to relax. Reluctantly his body gave up the fight. He fell back on the pillows covered in sweat. His cries slowly turned to moans and then he slept quietly.
Straightening his bedding I noticed his right arm for the first time. It was cast and wrapped snug. It was fully extended. His arm lay STRAIGHT down by his side, propped up by pillows. How many years since this boy's arm had been in that position?
He did well in the hospital. The staff were kind and patient with this foreign patient. Dismissed the next day we came home to our own beds. He has been difficult at times to manage. Communication is such a barrier. Another dear man named Edward came to speak with him today. He is from the same area of Sierra Leone as Francis. Mohamed also spoke on the phone with him about his pain medication, the importance of drinking lots of water, yadayadayada. This helps so much.
With therapy, Francis's right arm should be more or less normal within 6 weeks. Think on that for a moment!
Salifu is still entertaining us nonstop. He was singing the ABC's again in the car the other day. I recognized the letters but the tune didn't seem quite right. It was a familiar melody so I continued to process through my memory's archives. Finally, I realized that Salifu was singing his ABC's to the tune of "Auld Lagn Syn"! I need to get that on video.
One last event. Friday was a refreshing spring day. I decided to get out for the afternoon while my patient slept and save my nap for later. Sal and Nellie helped me clear out the garden beds. Sal helped me plant some roses. It took some coaxing to convince him that the earthworms were not going to eat him.
We were all curious about a small pile of fur we found at the base of one of the larger perennials. Assuming it was just another one of Lady's many fur clumps, I encouraged the kids to keep working. Upon pulling the fur aside we found a charming surprise. Six little baby bunnies, their eyes blinking in the sunlight, lay huddled together like a fur muff. Never have I seen a buddle of little critters so dear. Of course we did the wrong thing. We touched them and cooed over their cuteness and had to get a box to keep them in. We brought them inside. When Francis awoke, hurting and sad, we now had something to take his mind off the pain. For the next 24 hours we treasured trying to nurse the tiny things.
Perhaps bunny findings are a regular part of your day, but I have never found such a litter before, nor has anyone I know. I choose to believe that our heavenly Father gave them as a special gift for a very special boy. Francis was somehow blessed by these helpless creatures. He enjoyed seeing them nursed and cared for. He touched them tenderly and smiled shyly at their antics. He was concerned that they were cold and gently scolded Salifu for taking them out of their warm nest. For at least a little time he saw another living thing scared and needy. He wasn't so alone after all.
Many friends have asked about how I am holding up. I want you all to know that I am fine. I have felt your prayers about me and about my family as if they were the very clothes on my body. I wish only that you all could have the priviledge of caring for these children. Please stop and think of who the people are in your life who need your help. Is it a neighbor, an old friend, a workmate, boss, parent, sibling, stranger? If you are still here it is because there is something for you to do. I am not talking about painting your toenails or shopping till you're dropping. There are opportunities for each of us EVERYDAY, we just aren't looking in the right direction most of the time. We spend most of our time looking at self.
"But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." James 1:22
It's not about you, it's all about the other guy.
Blessings,
Ann