DIFFICULT?????

Nothing prepared me for what I experienced every day this week. In many ways its been the toughest week so far…….
I knew that the children had to have lots of dental work done, from extractions, to crowns to general cleaning and polishing, and all under general anaesthetic. However I had forgotten about how they would feel waking up in pain, in unfamiliar surroundings, unable to communicate…Arriving in the convalescence ward I was shocked to see the tiny bodies all wrapped up, drips digging into their tiny wrists or feet ,and blood dripping form their mouths. The first day I sat beside one of the tiny girls and waited.. For what I did not know…. Soon she started to wake up, she struggled with the drip, the pain in her mouth, blood gushing and crying , trashing about. So I picked her up and cradled her in my arms and rocked her for over three hours trying to calm her down, finally she settled and slept, while I went over to another child and lay down next to him, held him and sang to him to settle him…. Lesley and I did this all day without a break with 6 children. Then late in the afternoon we fed them jelly and soup before they were prepared to return to the ward. This involved more pain as drips and heart monitors were removed. Once ready we carried them to the ward to settle for the night……The next day it all started again. BUT for me it was hard as Perla had to have all her teeth extracted except for her canines, which were going to be coated in metal!! Many of the children had their teeth coated in this way. It was strange to see her so still, her mouth a mess, bleeding… I burst into tears….. I just wanted her to wake up and be normal again…. It reminded me of when Raju had his teeth extracted…nothing prepares you for this sight!! As I got on the bed with her a Faith Healer approach the bed and placed his hand on her head and stayed there for awhile…it was really surprising. At the hospital people come along to do what they can, faith healing, reike, prayers .. Anything which may help and make a difference. I cant imagine that happening anywhere in UK!
Some of the children were so affected by their treatment that they had to stay overnight in the convalescence ward to stabilize before returning to the ward. These were the ones who have respiratory problems. Later in the week it got easier as many of the children just had to have their teeth cleaned with maybe a couple of fillings, but they still had to go under general anaesthetic because most don’t have muscle tone and cant control their mouths. Only two parents came to be with their children. There were other children from other wards who had surgery too, and their mums visited bringing younger children, so when it was quiet, I was holding their other children so the mums could spend time with the ones who had surgery! There was a day when we just had to get out for half an hour as it was just too much.. At least 5-6 children everyday and only the two of us, no parents , no nurses, no one who know them as well as Lesley and I so it was really intense and draining…… But I know that we made a difference, to have a familiar face and voice to sooth and calm is vital after surgery.
At the end of everyday we went to visit the children in the ward to ensure that they were fine. Every morning we went to the ward to see the children who had had their surgery and were really happy to see them almost back to normal and smiling with huge gaps where their teeth had been or indeed teeth coated in metal…..
This has been the most demanding and exhausting week I have had so far and I am glad its over!!! Maybe I will take Sunday off as have been working weekends too…….






















Antigua?
Is still here but I haven’t seen much of it! Next week I travel to Belize to get my visa renewed which means leaving the country for 4 days… in many ways its perfect timing….
Enjoy
Adios amigos
Goodnight
Xxx