Close Your Eyes

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As the x-ray took the fourth set of pictures of Aubrey’s finger (in the last 3 weeks) I caught his eye through the little looking window and indicated with a wink that he should close his eyes.  Something that they always tell him to do here.  It wasn’t long until x-ray results were in our hands and we were holding them up to the light to see how the healing process was coming along.  The radiologist told me in Indonesian, “It’s still broken, they need to make it straight.”  Clearly the bone was not healing and it still had a 25-30% deviation. 

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That afternoon we drove over to our American doctor’s house.  She sent the boys out to look at their new baby goats and puppies.  Meanwhile she looked at the x-ray and stated that she would scan it and send it off to doctors in Singapore and Jakarta to get their opinions.  I could tell by her intonations and wording that surgery was in Aubrey’s future.  I had brought her fresh lettuce (a rare find), broccoli (fresh from PNG) and lentils (from America).  She was more thrilled then if I had handed her a co pay with insurance pending.

By the next afternoon, the doctors had confirmed that Aubrey need surgery.  One stated that without surgery he would have severe range of motion, disfiguration, and stunted growth because the growth plate is affected (his fingers are already longer then both Darron and mine, so not too worried about this).  They cannot promise what percentage surgery will help, but feel it will be significant.

So it has been decided that we will go to Jakarta.  There is a trusted orthopedic doctor there who has done some very difficult reconstructive surgeries on ex-pats. I have been in touch with the CEO of the hospital who speaks fluent English and is married to an American.  He has handled us with the upmost efficiency and professionalism.  I am so impressed.  He has arranged that Aubrey will see the orthopedic Doctor Tuesday morning, and hopefully will have surgery Tuesday afternoon.  We also still don’t have paper work to leave the country, so this is another reason for us going to Jakarta.

Darron arrives home after being gone 12 days on Sunday.  He and Aubrey will fly out to Jakarta on Monday at 3:30 p.m.  We decided that it makes more sense for Darron to continue travelling and I stay home with the younger boys then the other way around.  Aubrey is by no means looking forward to this, but has comes to terms with it and knows it is in his best interest.  We feel vexed that by the time surgery has come around over 4 weeks of healing time will have passed, yet NOTHING fast happens in Papua!  At least this way, hopefully the pins can be removed before summer camp.  Because in a 13 year old mind, that is extremely important.

Please hold Darron and Aubrey in your prayers as they travel and as Aubrey faces surgery.  You don’t even have to close your eyes when you pray!

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