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Helping needy Malagasy kids to become Jesus’ kids! March 2009 Volume 12, Number 3 "A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food
with the poor."
Proverbs 22:9 |
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Andry Update - Special Report
It seems the time has finally come. The doctors say we can no longer put off the dialysis process for Andry. His blood analysis over the last few months has continued to get worse. The creatinine levels in Andry’s blood are consistently getting higher. Andry’s kidneys are shutting down.
We wish we could get a second medical opinion on Andry’s present
condition. Everything we have done so far is with the government hospitals and
doctors. When you are already in the capital city of Madagascar a person only
has a few choices. This is because dialysis treatment is not widespread in
Madagascar. In fact, there are people who have moved from other cities in
Madagascar to the capital so that they can receive dialysis treatments. It seems
that dialysis is only done in the capital city of Madagascar. This could be due
to the fact that there are only a few laboratories where all doctors send there
patients for blood work and analysis. We could look for a private clinic within
the country, but all blood work still passes through the same
laboratories.
We are in the process of bringing 6 dialysis machines and 6 reverse osmosis
machines into Madagascar. We started this process when we were told that there
were not enough dialysis machines, and that Andry could not be treated. We are
just at the first stage of getting together the equipment. We still need to do a
ton of paperwork and wait for the machines to be shipped to Madagascar. Then it
will take a while to get the machines cleared through the port at Tamatave. We
do have a way of getting the machines imported into the country duty free. For
this we praise the Lord.
We originally thought that if we could get some more machines into Madagascar this would make it possible for us to not only get Andry treated, but allow us to get him treated at a reduced cost. However, we are learning that the real cost of dialysis is in the medicines and expendables that are needed every day for the treatments, and not in the machines. The hospital assures us that there is no charge for the use of the dialysis machines. Getting more dialysis machines in Madagascar will make it possible for more Malagasy people to be treated, but it will not reduce the cost we will need to pay for Andry’s dialysis treatments.
God is already answering prayers. Last week an
opening occurred, and we were able to start Andry on his much needed dialysis
treatments three times a week. This new turn of events has been reason for
praising the Lord, and for a large increase in the amount of work on our part in
order to get all of the needed medicines and expendables each day. It seems that
we are on call every minute that Andry is on the hospital grounds. It also seems
that every time we blink the doctors or nurses are asking for more medicine or
blood tests.
There are two pharmacies and one laboratory within the hospital. However, many
times we are forced to go to another hospital, laboratory, or pharmacy in order
to get all of the needed items for Andry’s daily dialysis treatments. One day we
tried the two pharmacies on the hospital grounds and found that we had to go
into the city and search at three other pharmacies before we obtained everything
we needed. The hospital laboratory did the blood work for Andry one day, and the
doctor would not accept the results. He demanded that more blood be drawn and
taken across town to another laboratory.
Because of the amount of blood work that is
needed for Andry we are finding that we are not only in town on Mondays,
Wednesdays, and Fridays for his dialysis treatments. On Tuesdays and Thursdays
Solofo is running into town to various hospitals and laboratories to pick up the
results from all of the blood work so that the doctors can have this information
in hand when Andry arrives at the hospital for his next treatment. Going into
town on Tuesdays and Thursdays to pick up the results of the blood work is
required, since Andry starts his treatments at 7:00 a.m. two out of three days a
week. The results often are not ready on the day the blood is submitted, and
people are told to return for the results the next day.
John Ratovohery and I have talked about different ways to get Andry the dialysis
treatments he needs and to help Solofo get around town to take care of the many
needs of buying medicine and getting blood work done. We thought that if Andry
could be moved into town it might make things easier. However, Solofo would
still need to go to town every day to get Andry to and from the hospital and to
do all of the other needed running around. To go to town by bus takes a long
time in city traffic, and to go everywhere by taxi will be very
expensive.
The dialysis medicine and blood work is already expensive. Just look above at
the Betikara Expense table. I separated Andry’s expenses from the other
children’s expenses for the month of February. The amount you see listed for
“Andry’s Dialysis” is just the cost for the first week of dialysis treatments
(medicines and expendables), since that week fell at the end of February. There
are very few transportation costs (I drove Solofo around, and he did not need to
use public transportation. In the future this will not be the case) included in
this first week as Solofo and I worked together to get Andry situated and off to
a good start. I am sure you can understand how frightening something like this
can be for a teenaged person. The “Health Care” amount of $51.53 includes all
other health care expenses for the rest of the Betikara Lambs for the entire
month of February.
Right now, John and I are leaning towards buying a small motorcycle. This way,
Andry and Solofo can stay at Betikara and we will not need to find a place for
Andry in town, as well as someone to take care of his daily meals. A small
motorcycle will be fuel efficient, easy to park, and easy to maneuver in the
always present traffic of Antananarivo. Solofo will be able to get around town
and take care of the ever mounting responsibilities of Andry’s daily medical
needs. However, a motorcycle may not be a good option for Andry. Riding in and
out of town on a motorcycle over the rough roads between Betikara and town may
be too much for Andry, and be a detriment to Andry’s overall health. If we find
this is the case we will then have to find a place for Andry to stay in town and
the motorcycle will still be used to do all of the necessary errands around town
every day.
Needles
to say, all of this caught us off guard even though we knew that eventually
Andry would need dialysis. Andry has become the top priority in the Betikara
daily routine. We are making changes daily to try and cope with everything that
is needed. We pray daily for Andry, and ask that the Lord to show us His will.
Right now I am preparing to stop all building projects at Betikara. In about two
more weeks we will be finished with the water tower project and the solar water
system. Then all of the Betikara outside workers that are working on these
projects will be sent home until further notice. Phases III (volunteer housing)
and IV (medical clinic) of the Betikara building project will be placed on
indefinite hold.
Once the outside workers leave Betikara we will be better off financially and
able to care for Andry. However, even with tightening of our belts and stopping
all further projects, we estimate that the Betikara account will dry up in about
two years. We estimate that it will cost us around $15,000.00
to $20,000.00 per year for Andry’s
treatments. Time will give us a better handle on the actual amount needed. We
have an Advocate that can help us
in this area. So, we ask that you lift Andry, and his situation, up to the
Father in prayer.
God is already working. I just received an e-mail message from a person living
here that wants to know what they can do to help. They have experience with
raising funds for a child that had kidney and bladder problems. A fund raising
diner was spearheaded by this person for the above mentioned child and over
$10,000.00 was raised to help with the child’s needed
operation.
We realize that we are just getting started with Andry and the dialysis process.
Many of you have first hand experience with this in the states. However, life is
much different in Madagascar. In the states the patient goes to the hospital and
everything is provided for them. They just sit or lay for four hours a day and
then go home. Many people now days are treated right in their homes and do not
even need to visit a hospital. There is no searching for medicine or expendables
involved on a daily basis. These things are provided by the hospital, or they
are delivered to the door of your home.
Also, in the states, most things are billed to the insurance company and then
taken care of at a later time. Sometimes things are paid for via a credit or
debit card and no cash needs to change hands. That is not the way things are
done in Madagascar. Everything needs to be paid, in cash, up front. We cannot
even get the hospital to set up an account for Andry so that we can pay
bi-monthly or monthly. So, we find ourselves transporting around large sums of
money in a country that is presently ruled by looters and
thieves.
We ask for your prayerful support, and if possible take some time and send a
card to:
Andry
c/o
Betikara
B.P.
7554
101
Antananarivo
Madagascar
or, an e-mail
message to:
barryjrosie@yahoo.com
that can be
printed and passed on to Andry to encourage him during his time of
need.
People are already asking what they can do to help, and where to send funds for
Andry’s care. All funds can be sent to the address at the bottom of this
newsletter. Make the check out to “Betikara”, and write
“Dialysis
for Andry” in the memo
area of the check.
Please remember, “The
things which are impossible with men are possible with God”
Luke
18:27, and, “If
ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain,
Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove;
and nothing shall be impossible unto you.”
Matthew
17:20
Finally, we ask that you “Pray without ceasing” for Andry and Betikara. 1 Thess. 5:17
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Indiana Church of Christ “He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for
what he has done.” |