Yesterday, I experienced my first medical emergency while on staff here in Helene. I was being shown how to operate the water system here, in Helene, by Joe when a girl came over and asked for Ms. Deirdre. She said “a baby is sick.” Joe dropped what he was doing and ran towards the medical clinic. I started to run towards the other side of the building calling for Deirdre. I quickly remembered that she was on home visits in Bentley bay. I could hear Larry’s voice inside the clinic. I yelled “Deirdre is in Bentley bay right?” “Yep” “Should I run and go get her?” I asked. He said “yes. Go run and get her.” So I started running.
I forgot how far Bentley bay was. Infact, I had only walked there once in the past. As I ran through the Bight I began to get tired. I started praying and asking God for energy. It really was a lot further than I thought. I had to walk for a second, and than I began running again. Once I got into Bentley, I began calling for Deirdre. Hearing her voice was a very welcoming sound. I told her that there was a medical emergency back at the clinic involving a baby and she left running. I walked back.
When I returned to the clinic, everything was normal. Joe had quickly started giving the baby( he is a year old) oxygen. Once Deirdre arrived she gave him medicine as well. They believe he has bronchitis. They gave him some antibiotics and sent him home.
Later that night I was sitting out on the deck with Andrew and Larry when they came back. The baby was not responding well again. Joe and Deirdre sprung into action once again. They now believe the baby has pneumonia. Deirdre injected antibiotics and told them to make sure he was getting enough water.
He came back again, in the middle of the night, at that point he was just worn out. However, he came back again this morning, and was now running a high temp, 103. Deirdre told the mother that she needed to take him to Rotan for further testing. So his mother took him down to Roatan. Please pray for his health.
Without the quick medical assistance that the baby received from Joe and Deirdre the baby’s chances for survival would have been very low. Watching Deirdre and Joe in action is very impressive.
Happy 4th,
Paul
Hi Paul,
I will be praying for healing for that baby! Let me know how he is doing. Sounds like you got your workout in for the day! Way to help out especially in an emergency!
Love,
Mom
How scary…We will keep the baby in our prayers…what an adventure for you though..very heroic Sir Paul!
Peace and love,
rebecca
Hey Paul,
Good job running to the bay! I am praying for the baby, I hope he gets better! Thanks for the e-mail!
Love,
Molly
The Bay is quite a ways out! I understand thinking it was closer. Way to serve. It’s interesting how things are intensified when in a third world country.
hey,
i was in helene the first of june when the boating thing happened and i know what you mean when you say joe and deirdre spring into action . tell MR.larry and every one else that holly from obx loves them and is come back asap