Which burn patient shall I tell you about?
The 18-year-old girl, who was badly burned by fire 3 days after her wedding? Her legs were so badly burned that even if she does walk again she will be severely disabled. Her new husband stands faithfully by her. Thankfully her skin grafting procedure seems (so far, at least) to have been a success. But the dressing changes sure are traumatic for her!
The baby whose feet and legs were burned by fire such that all the toes of one foot were amputated and the toes on the other foot may have to be, as well? His mother doesn't look more than about 18 years old.
The young woman who has had 2 skin grafting procedures already and who screams every time her dressings are changed? Yesterday we looked at the places that had been grafted previously and it seems they haven't worked, so she's going to need yet another operation. We pray this one works. The discouragement and despair was evident both in her face and in her aunt's, who is the only one there caring for her. She's already been in hospital a month.
The woman in her early 50's who, after finding out that her 3rd skin graft procedure was yet again a failure, lapsed into unconsciousness, and hasn't awoken since?
The man in his 50's who showed up one month after being badly burned in both legs? The burns were so deep that trying to operate and remove the burned tissue would result in not enough leg muscle or tissue for him to walk. We recommended that he have an amputation high up on both thighs, just to save his life. He opted to go home, because at least he can walk right now. It's only a matter of time before infection gets the better of him.
The young male athlete in his 20s who begged us to make sure he can still do his athletics after his operation? His legs are so badly burned this is very unlikely.
The young woman who, in the midst of no electricity in her house, accidentally sat on a pot of boiling water instead of her chair? Fortunately her burns are pretty superficial.
The young girl whose skin grafts actually were a success, and who will be going home soon?
The 2 woman whose burns are so extensive that we are only treating them palliatively (pain control, fluids, and pastoral care)?
The list goes on! At last count, there were 17 burn patients in our hospital, 12 of whom have major burns. No wait, 18 and 13...one more came in yesterday with 40% of her body surface area badly burned. Our usual cut-off in deciding whether to actively treat these patients medically versus palliatively is 40%. She is right on the cusp. Neither decision is an easy one. Nobody here can remember a time when there were so many burn patients in the hospital.
Most burn centres in the west will only accept up to 5 patients before they close and won't accept any more. Most burn patients are on ventilators because of the amount of pain medication they require to be kept comfortable. They are given complete anaesthetics (put to sleep) for every dressing change, as least initially. The resources in terms of OR time, nursing time, doctors skills, and just emotional energy that are needed to care for these patients are significant. Here in Tansen patients are given a small dose of morphine (if that!) before their dressing changes, and even the strongest of them screams in pain. It's really heart-wrenching and emotionally draining. And there are still so many of them who need surgery, and often who need several surgeries before all is said and done. The ones who seem to be doing well initially often experience setbacks, which sometimes result in much longer hospital stays, and sometimes claim their lives.
It's draining and exhausting. We're so thankful for a German plastic surgeon who is here at the moment to help with the load and to share his expertise. But he's just as overwhelmed, and he's leaving on Friday.
It's easy to become discouraged, or to develop a callous heart towards these patients and this situation. It's a defense mechanism to keep from getting burned out (no pun intended) from caring for them. But they have nowhere else to go. I am continually reminded that I need to just focus on the one in front of me, take them one at a time, and approach them as individuals loved by Jesus, not as "another burn patient." I am continually reminded of my absolute dependence on the Lord for strength, grace, wisdom, and endurance. He promises that His grace is sufficient and His power is made perfect in our weakness.
We pray that in the midst of these situations these patients and their families will experience the love that only Jesus can give, and that He would show Himself to them, both in life and in death. And we pray that His light would continue to shine through us as we do our best to be His hands and His feet, and to communicate His heart, to them.
The 18-year-old girl, who was badly burned by fire 3 days after her wedding? Her legs were so badly burned that even if she does walk again she will be severely disabled. Her new husband stands faithfully by her. Thankfully her skin grafting procedure seems (so far, at least) to have been a success. But the dressing changes sure are traumatic for her!
The baby whose feet and legs were burned by fire such that all the toes of one foot were amputated and the toes on the other foot may have to be, as well? His mother doesn't look more than about 18 years old.
The young woman who has had 2 skin grafting procedures already and who screams every time her dressings are changed? Yesterday we looked at the places that had been grafted previously and it seems they haven't worked, so she's going to need yet another operation. We pray this one works. The discouragement and despair was evident both in her face and in her aunt's, who is the only one there caring for her. She's already been in hospital a month.
The woman in her early 50's who, after finding out that her 3rd skin graft procedure was yet again a failure, lapsed into unconsciousness, and hasn't awoken since?
The man in his 50's who showed up one month after being badly burned in both legs? The burns were so deep that trying to operate and remove the burned tissue would result in not enough leg muscle or tissue for him to walk. We recommended that he have an amputation high up on both thighs, just to save his life. He opted to go home, because at least he can walk right now. It's only a matter of time before infection gets the better of him.
The young male athlete in his 20s who begged us to make sure he can still do his athletics after his operation? His legs are so badly burned this is very unlikely.
The young woman who, in the midst of no electricity in her house, accidentally sat on a pot of boiling water instead of her chair? Fortunately her burns are pretty superficial.
The young girl whose skin grafts actually were a success, and who will be going home soon?
The 2 woman whose burns are so extensive that we are only treating them palliatively (pain control, fluids, and pastoral care)?
The list goes on! At last count, there were 17 burn patients in our hospital, 12 of whom have major burns. No wait, 18 and 13...one more came in yesterday with 40% of her body surface area badly burned. Our usual cut-off in deciding whether to actively treat these patients medically versus palliatively is 40%. She is right on the cusp. Neither decision is an easy one. Nobody here can remember a time when there were so many burn patients in the hospital.
Most burn centres in the west will only accept up to 5 patients before they close and won't accept any more. Most burn patients are on ventilators because of the amount of pain medication they require to be kept comfortable. They are given complete anaesthetics (put to sleep) for every dressing change, as least initially. The resources in terms of OR time, nursing time, doctors skills, and just emotional energy that are needed to care for these patients are significant. Here in Tansen patients are given a small dose of morphine (if that!) before their dressing changes, and even the strongest of them screams in pain. It's really heart-wrenching and emotionally draining. And there are still so many of them who need surgery, and often who need several surgeries before all is said and done. The ones who seem to be doing well initially often experience setbacks, which sometimes result in much longer hospital stays, and sometimes claim their lives.
It's draining and exhausting. We're so thankful for a German plastic surgeon who is here at the moment to help with the load and to share his expertise. But he's just as overwhelmed, and he's leaving on Friday.
It's easy to become discouraged, or to develop a callous heart towards these patients and this situation. It's a defense mechanism to keep from getting burned out (no pun intended) from caring for them. But they have nowhere else to go. I am continually reminded that I need to just focus on the one in front of me, take them one at a time, and approach them as individuals loved by Jesus, not as "another burn patient." I am continually reminded of my absolute dependence on the Lord for strength, grace, wisdom, and endurance. He promises that His grace is sufficient and His power is made perfect in our weakness.
We pray that in the midst of these situations these patients and their families will experience the love that only Jesus can give, and that He would show Himself to them, both in life and in death. And we pray that His light would continue to shine through us as we do our best to be His hands and His feet, and to communicate His heart, to them.
No comments:
Post a Comment