I guess it’s not really an adventure until you’ve
had a medical emergency. The honest
truth is that this was no adventure at all.
This experience tested every ounce of my faith and trust in the one I
call Lord.
Last week, my sweet, curious and energetic 3 year
old jumped in the pool and somehow managed to hit her chin. Hard.
So hard that it cracked a molar and chipped a tooth.
We watched it all day and gave her pain meds to
help, as it was obvious she was sore.
That night she woke up several times crying out in pain. By morning her cracked tooth was visibly
worse.
We now knew the tooth was going to need to be
taken out. Ugg. She’s 3.
We asked some local missionaries about the availability of a dentist in
Soroti. Yes, indeed Soroti does have a
dentist, but my missionary friend did not suggest we use him. His exact words were: “he’s rough. It will traumatize her.” SO. NOT. AN. OPTION. We also consulted a doctor friend in Soroti
and he thought the local government hospital would have the equipment
necessary. He would make the call if we
wanted. (Just to insert some background
here. When we first arrived, we were
told to NOT go to the government hospital or to EVER take our kids there. It is extremely unsanitary and would likely
expose us to serious illness.) AGAIN.
NOT. AN. OPTION.
It was now Friday morning and we were making
quick plans to make an emergency trip to Kampala. We had to find a clinic that was open on
Saturdays, as we knew we would not be able to make the 6+ hour trip to Kampala
in time for closing on Friday. We were
given a referral to Jubilee Dental Clinic.
This is where many Muzungus (us white folks) go in Kampala for their
dental needs. Marc called and they were
open on Saturday, but booked. They
encouraged us to come early and just wait and hopefully we would be seen.
So that is exactly what we did. We were seen very quickly and had a consult
with the dentist. He agreed extraction
was the route we needed to take. Then
the drama began. Kate freaked out about
the numbing gel. Not even the
needle. The gel. We quickly knew this was not going to
work. Even if we did get her numb, she
still had to have the needle and then the actual pulling of the tooth. Could we sedate her? Sure. But not at this clinic. BUT THIS IS THE CLINIC THAT 2 DIFFERENT
DOCTORS RECOMMENDED.
Now we had to contact a new clinic. It was Saturday and we wondered if we would
have to wait until Monday for the procedure.
Keep in mind, Kate was hardly eating because her mouth was so sore. We contacted the clinic and were told to
directly contact the anesthesiologist ourselves and arrange with him. This is not the way things are done in
AMERICA. I started feeling anxious. We arrived at the clinic and my anxiety did
not improve. By US standards it was in a
location we would never visit or take our children to. Uganda has reminded me “you can’t judge a
book by its cover.” Most of the store fronts or clinics look like shambles, but
the products or services inside are excellent.
We place a lot of value in appearance in the US, and not that this is
bad…but in Uganda it certainly causes me to re-evaluate everything.
We met with Kate’s anesthesiologist and booked
the surgery for Sunday morning. Really?
Sunday morning. 7:15 am. I broke out in hives Saturday night as I
anticipated what was to come the next day.
Sedation involved an IV. Kate
does not do well with needles.
As a mom my mind went to every possible worst
case scenario. What if she doesn’t wake
up? She’s never been sedated before.
What if she gets seriously ill from lack of sterile equipment? Are these doctors as good as American
ones? What if I lose my baby
girl???? We are in a 3rd world
country having oral surgery. For Kate I
was keeping it together…but on the inside I was a wreck.
My dear friend in Australia reminded me: “Everybody
is praying. We love you and we love
Kate. But, more importantly, you need to remember that the same God that kept
her safe in the US is watching over her in Uganda. It may be harder for you and me, but it is NO
more difficult for Him there than anywhere else!” Thank you Ellie!
Kate woke up Sunday refusing to leave the
house. She screamed and cried. I felt so sick, but kept telling myself I had
to keep it together for the sake of my whole family. But all I could think about was what if I lose
her? And trust me I have had to work
through this fear already when we agreed to this grand adventure.
At some point on the trip to the clinic, the God
that I LOVE SO MUCH, sent me a small note of encouragement. A taxi van drove by with the verse “For I
know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 29:11. Oh God I needed that. This verse has been an anchor for me for the
last 10 years of my life. His
plans. Good plans. The verse continues…“plans to prosper you and
NOT TO HARM YOU. Plans to give you a
hope AND A FUTURE.” I held onto the
promise that no harm would come to Kate and that she would have a bright
future.
Kate did amazing.
She really is the most brave 3 year old I have ever known. Marc and I had to physically restrain her
while the IV was inserted. She screamed
and said the most heart-breaking words.
I put my face in hers so she would see me and not the needle. I spoke reassuring words to try to calm her
down. I prayed to Jesus to protect
her. Once the medicine was injected she
was out within seconds. At that point
her body went completely limp and I burst into tears. Marc welled up with tears as he handed her
over to the doctor to position her properly on the chair. Our precious little baby girl was out cold and
it was scary.
BUT…the doctors were both AMAZING. So gentle and kind. The equipment completely sterile and opened
from brand new packages. All my fears were
slipping away. Almost. The procedure was over and my girl still had
not woken up from the sedation. Spencer
came in and talked to her. Marc talked
to her. I talked to her. We rubbed her arms and legs and coaxed back
to this reality. And when she opened her
eyes…. Honestly I can’t put into words all the emotions that took over at that
moment of those precious blues opening and focusing on me. I knew all was right with the world when she
instantly asked if she could have her treat now. Oh my girl!!
My brave brave girl did amazing. Thank you to all who prayed and sent words of
encouragement. In hindsight (like in a
few years) I may look back and laugh at how worked up I got over this…or
not. This would have been traumatic in
the States. It certainly was traumatic
in Uganda. But my God is big and I am so
grateful we were not alone. Not for one
step.
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| The tooth |
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| Our little drugged girl |
