To put it in a nut shell as the expression goes, we do not know what to believe any more from the medical community in Madagascar. The ongoing medical problems for Andry and Yosly are becoming very tiresome. As we talk to people about these two Betikara Lambs we often hear stories of other peoples medical nightmares here in Madagascar. Just this year the wife of Jules, the director for the Betikara school, was going to see a doctor in Antananarivo. The doctor did several tests, and over a period of time decided that there was nothing that could be done medically for Jules wife in Madagascar.

            An arrangement was made to have Jules wife sent outside of Madagascar to France for a further diagnosis and needed medical treatment. The doctor in Madagascar thought Jules wife would need surgery to correct her medical problem. The family had to deposit a large sum of money with the Malagasy government to cover Jules wifes travel expenses before she could be issued a travel visa by the Malagasy government. Once the money was deposited Jules wife left for what was to be a two month stay in France for  a possible operation and recuperation after the operation before returning to Madagascar.

            When Jules wife arrived in France and saw the doctor on the day of her first scheduled visit the doctor examined her and became very angry. He stated that it was a big waste of money for Jules wife to come to France when all that she needed was a fifteen day prescription of medication to take care of her ongoing medical problem that could not be treated in Madagascar. So, after fifteen days the prescribed medicine was finished and Jules wife returned to the doctor for a final visit and she was given a clean bill of health. Since Jules wife had already purchased a ticket for a two month stay in France she had no choice but to remain in France and wait for the day of her return flight to Madagascar.

Andry

          As you all know, Andry has been receiving dialysis treatments since the end of February 2009. The doctors continue to be amazed at the good health and stamina of Andry who is supposed to be on dialysis treatments three times a week. Many times, however, Andry only has dialysis treatments twice a week due to scheduling problems, and sometimes, though rarely, Andry only has one dialysis treatment in a week long period.

            One might say that God is caring for and providing well for Andry. We pray often for Andry and his health, as I am sure many of you continue to pray for Andry. However, after the above story about Jules wife, one might also begin to wonder if Andry even needs dialysis treatments at all. What if there is some other undiagnosed medical problem that can be affecting Andry, that if treated properly would heal Andry of whatever is ailing him and allow him to lead a normal life? What if Andry does not need a kidney transplant operation after all?

Yosly

            Yosly has been complaining of stomach problems and vomiting after he eats for several years. We continue to take him to the doctor, only to be told they cannot find anything wrong with Yosly. I just wrote about Yosly asking for you to pray for his health in last months Betikara newsletter. Since the writing of that newsletter Yosly started complaining of pain in his lower back. We took him to the doctor and an echo graph of his kidneys was preformed. The doctor said it appeared that Yosly has a kidney stone in each kidney that is causing the pain. Yosly was to return the following day for further tests.

            You can imagine the lengthy discussions that we all entered into upon Yosly and Solofo returning home to Betikara with the latest report of the doctor. Were we to now have two patients on dialysis if Yoslys kidneys were ruined by kidney stones? Solofo took Yosly back to the doctor the next day (which happened to not be the same doctor as the previous day) only to hear that Yosly did not have kidney stones and that there is, once again, nothing medically wrong with Yosly.

            So, where is all of the vomiting and back pain coming from if Yosly has a clean bill of health? Do the doctors really know what they are talking about? Now we are trying to take Yosly to yet another doctor, for about the sixth medical opinion over the years, to see if there is any possibility of tracking down what, if anything, is causing all of Yoslys ongoing medical problems.

            We did tell Yosly to park his bike that he usually rides to school for at least one month. The roads in Madagascar are awful and the rough ride of the bike over the roads may be causing his back pain, especially if Yosly is weak from not eating good. However, this should not affect his stomach and cause him vomiting after he eats a meal.

            Please continue to pray for Andry, Yosly, and the rest of the Malagasy nation that are in the hands of the medical doctors. Pray that God can guide the doctors and help them heal the numerous sick Malagasy people.

            We covet your daily prayers.