It's 9:24pm on Tuesday evening and we're in bed. The all-to-familiar sound of the clinic night watchman's voice pierces through the night with 'Doctor, We Need You'.
We had gone to bed knowing that the third birth of the day could come anytime, but we had just gotten settled not long after watching an episode of House, MD (DVD of Season 2). Well, the call came and Juliana went since the mid-wife had gone to Kuntenase to get our monthly reporting forms and would be back early tomorrow morning.
Today was busy, Juliana and I had been setting up a new delivery room - which is being used tonight - with a new delivery table (very modern I must add and comfortable), an infant intensive care station (infant warmer), and other accessories for the room. Of course, you may remember, that Juliana is 36+ weeks pregnant herself and has worked all day on organizing, cleaning, etc. As we are waiting on the re-instatement of her medical license by the Medical Dental Council she cannot see patients at this time - she should hear news of their decision by the end of the week and can only go attend patients in emergency cases such as this tonight.
In the middle of a busy day, we had lunch (ocra stew over rice) on the floor picnic-style as our dining room table was covered with things as a sorting station during morning. I told Lucas of an email I had gotten from my mom that said that she would really like to send him his favorite home-made cake "Feathery Fudge Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Satin Frosting" but there is not enough room left for the visiting team coming this week from Alabama to bring it. I asked him if he thought he would have a cake for his birthday (it's on the 23rd) and he said, 'No, I don't think so. I can just have a popsicle for my birthday.' Oh my heart broke, it was at this moment that I wished for the biggest birthday party (Brazilian-style that his cousins have there). He didn't say it in sadness really, just realization that it won't be anything big. I'm glad that this team is bringing a cake that I bought/ordered from a bakery in Accra (the capital city of Ghana). It will be here by the 24th, and we will have 'party' with the team from Alabama, a 'family' gathering of sorts.
.... Juliana just came in for the truck keys and went out again... she said that the birth that she was called to has emergency complications, our truck has to rush her to the Catholic mission hospital that is 1 to 1 1/2 hours away (St. Michael's Catholic Hospital in Praamso).
I see the truck pulling out. I'm still waiting on Juliana to return to the house though and it's 9:51pm. May God intervene and strengthen this lady and her baby. Sustain them. I speak life and health to them in Jesus name. I come against all complications, and declare victory in the name of Jesus.
Update: Thursday morning.... we received word from the clinic driver that the baby did not make it. No details really, but the news is very discouraging.
Comments