Expect the worst...

I've always been one to expect the worst. Then I make contingency plans based on what might happen. It helps to keep me from stressing.

So yesterday we took a road trip to Guatemala City to see a cardiologist that was recommended to me by a friend. The original cardiologist and nephrologist that saw her, had written a note in her file that said she has a syndrome (unspecified), there is nothing left to do for her, and to take her home to care for BECAUSE SHE WILL DIE AT ANY MINUTE. It is in capital letters in the note.

So I accepted it. She is severely malnourished, has this debilitating heart condition (not specified), her kidneys are messed up. There was no room for hope. The family is very poor, they don't speak Spanish (just their Mayan language), so even though they were being seen at a public hospital, they weren't going to do anything for them.  Maybe it is because it was a public hospital they would do nothing. These people are poor. Why would the hospital want to spend money on them? I still get angry with the racism I encounter here towards the indigenous people. I had heard many, many stories, but am now experiencing it first hand.

Enter, me.

I accepted that she was going to die, but knew she didn't have to die in discomfort. We can manage meds, and do other treatments. So I made an appointment with a new doctor.

We went in, weighed her, checked vitals, then took her for an echo. I was getting nervous. I had heard this was a very compassionate doctor, and a very good cardiologist, but even so I was nervous. My legs were actually feeling weak. I was afraid he would write her off too, and not want to manage her treatment. After the echo we waited. And waited. And waited. Marcy did really good, even though she hardly slept for most of the day and it was now 4 in the afternoon.

Finally the dr. called me into his office. I had prayed earlier, and felt peace.

We sat down and the first thing he said was, "I'm sorry it took me so long to speak with you. I was reviewing the tests and paperwork trying to figure out why the other hospital told you she was going to die."

He then went on to explain she has three things different about her heart. Two are minor and don't need any treatment or watching. The third thing is minor in terms of its treatment, but big in how it has been affecting her quality of life. We are going to schedule surgery for sometime at the end of May. He wants to give her more time to grow and gain strength before the operation.

And the surgery is free!

I have been praising God since I found out. In between my crying. It's not near the same as being raised from the dead, but this is a little girl who people thought had no life. I was in palliative care mode. And now I get to plan her life!!!