Brandy and Rachel’s Saturday started off like any other Saturday in a household with four young children. Everything was busy but fine, except Brandy was having a lot of nausea and pain. It's not uncommon in Honduras to catch a stomach bug, so they didn't think much of it at first - except it kept getting worse and eventually it became apparent that Brandy didn't have just a stomach bug.
They arrived at the clinic where Rachel recently delivered Charlotte and waited around for Brandy to be examined. When the doctor saw Brandy at about 12:30, he did some poking and prodding. The doctor had Brandy lie down as he applied pressure to his side. That seemed fine until the doctor removed the pressure and Brandy let out an, “Owww!” At that moment, Rachel thought to herself, “Yep. It’s his appendix.”
The surgeon was there lickety-split. In fact, everyone required for an appendectomy was already prepared for a surgery. There had been a surgery scheduled for that morning in the clinic. The operating room was prepared. The anesthesiologist was on hand. The OR nurses were there. Everyone has shown up except the patient. How providential that Brandy happened to show up just when they were all ready to operate! By 1:30, Brandy was in the operating room having his appendix removed.
As Rachel put it, “They saw Brandy and were like, ‘Oh, look! A patient!’”
Appendectomies are somewhat more common in Honduras than they are in the States. In the US, a doctor might try antibiotics first and take a wait and see approach if the appendix isn't too inflamed. In Honduras, healthcare is more limited and the dangers associated with a ruptured appendix are too great. So it’s standard practice to remove the appendix at the first sign of appendicitis. Though, generally speaking, there is not a crew on standby!
While Brandy was having surgery, Esdras was at the airport picking up a medical team. Rachel and Brandy are very grateful for the staff that has stepped up to the plate to handle three weeks of back-to-back teams. Though Rachel doesn’t normally go out with the teams, she does handle the logistics. Now, with a new baby and a recuperating husband, her plate is already quite full.
This is the first time the other staff members have been in charge of the logistics for a medical team. There is extra protocol involved with bringing the medicines and other supplies into the country. The staff is doing all of the registration and coordinating the appointments for the team to see the sponsorship kids that have been identified as having medical concerns. It’s a lot!
And just because there wasn’t enough for Rachel to concern herself with, Michael has decided to use this time to potty train. In the long run, that is excellent news because it will be nice to only have two in diapers versus three. For now, though, it does present some new challenges. Brandy is unable to lift a child right now and with potty training, time is of the essence. Rachel may find herself nursing Charlotte and rushing Michael to the potty simultaneously.
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| Charlotte says, "Thank you for praying for my Mommy and Daddy!" |
Brandy is doing well, overall. The doctor will see him when he is three weeks post-op. For now, he is able to walk around in the house. They’ve been told that he should be able to resume some office work in a couple of weeks. Since the office is a 20-minute drive on a bumpy road, it might be better to work from home, though. They are not sure when he will be able to visit some of the sponsorship locations again.
In positive news, Allen and Trish have been given the all-clear to return to Honduras. While they don’t have a travel date yet, they are planning for some time in July.
Thank you for keeping everyone at Sowers4Pastors in your prayers. There hasn’t been a dull moment lately, but God is good. All the time.
- posted by Christi
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