Update on Kal Kidan

I met with Gosheway, the doctor, a nurse, a social worker, and the interpreter this afternoon to discuss Kalkidan's condition. Gosheway was very concerned about Kalkidan, based on the vomiting and fever she developed last night. He was upset because it seemed to him that this surgery was heading in the same direction of the previous five - failure. However, after talking with the doctor his spirits were lifted considerably.

So, here's the latest: Last night Kalkidan experienced a burning sensation and a lot of pain in her abdomen and she vomited multiple times. To relieve that, a tube was inserted through her nose into her stomach to release any gas that has collected andto drain the bile. She is slightly dehydrated and is continuing to get IV fluids, and they are monitoring her urine output. The doctor explained that general anesthesia not only puts a person to sleep for the surgery, it also puts all your organs to sleep as well. So, he is now waiting for her colon to "wake up", and they are doing irrigations to stimulate her intestinal tract. To comfort Gosheway, I asked if this kind of a reaction is common following a major surgery and we were assured that it is. The doctor also suggested that Kalkidan remain in the States for another eight weeks. The purpose of the extension is to ensure Kalkidan has plenty of recovery time and the opportunity for multiple follow-up visits after her release from the hospital. Gosheway needs to learn a few bowl management techniques and that cannot begin until her surgery scars are well on the way to healing. So prayer is needed for our application to extend their visas.

I think knowing this will also help Gosheway find some peace as he diligently watches over little Kalkidan. He very rarely leaves the hospital room for fear something might happen while he is gone. He and Kalkidan havebeen down a long road over the past three and a half years and he is going to be with her no matter what.

As I watched them this afternoon I could see a parallel with the way God looks after His children. God is always there. He is there when we wake inthe morning and He is there when we lay down at night. He is there when times are good and He is there when times are rotten. He is there when weare faithful and He is there when we sin. He is there when we are at home and He is there when we are thousands of miles from home. When you see Gosheway tenderly stroking Kalkidan's forehead, speaking ever so gently, and witness the special bond between them, you can picture God's love in action.

Jeff