Ruth had a tough week......

We have been a little quiet the last couple of days, but that doesn't mean that nothing was happening. Almost my whole family had malaria, first Helen, then Catherine and myself and also Mary tested positive  for the malaria parasite in her blood. I made Sarah test as well, but she was negative (and very proud of that). I sprayed our little house, but we were already sick of malaria. After the treatment, we all were very fine and it is part of life in Uganda. I get malaria three or four times per year, sometimes it is light, sometimes I feel more sick. But on Monday I had to go to Kumi, with Ruth, for her operation on her foot. Simon drove and Marije, our new Dutch nurse, who is with us for 10 weeks came along as well. Marije was allowed  to be in the operation room during the procedure. She had to put on the green suit, but was able to take these pictures.

 The clinic where we went is a brand new hospital, specialised in Orthopaedic problems. The clinic is not even officially opened. There was a big theatre and everything was looking new and clean. 

They gave her a light anaesthesia and the doctor did the procedure.

The nurse stayed with her to see that she was coming out the anaesthesia well. But she was out very fast and  we could take her with us, back to Soroti.

They had given plaster again around her leg, but she has no pain and is smiling and  "talking " as ever. On this picture you see Marije sitting with her on her lap. Ruth had a tough week, because on the day of the operation, she got fever in the afternoon. We took her for malaria test and yes, Ruth had also malaria, so we started the treatment directly. Then on Thursday she had to go for immunization, she was very behind with her immunization, so it is important to make her up to date. But in the evening she had fever again, this time from the immunization. We have to go back after three weeks, then they will take off the plaster again and we pray that her leg will be fine then.

Today we took little Patrick in Amecet. He was born 5 days ago, his mother is mentally not well and after she gave birth in a clinic in the village, she run off. Patrick was brought by his grandparents, they asked if we could help them for a couple of months, then they will take over the care of Patrick. Patrick weighs 2 kg. and looks a bit weak, but maybe that is lack of  feeding. So we welcome Patrick in our Amecet family and hope and pray that he will be strong and healthy by the time the grandparents will come for him.