Barthese

This is Barthese. I wrote about him before. He has a condition called hydrocephalus, which basically means fluid collects around his brain and doesn't drain off properly. His head is quite large because of it. Last month we took Barthese and Baby Cliff to Healing Hands hospital in Port-au-Prince where they had been accepted into a surgical program for children with hydrocephalus. They were admitted to have final evaluations before surgery. Unfortunately, baby Cliff had a cold and URI and could not have his surgery this month. An American doctor performed the surgery and inserted a shunt for Barthese. He was hospitalized for 22 days before he returned to his home with his Grandmother and his many, many siblings & cousins he lives with (I can't remember- somewhere between 9 & 16 of them). His incision has healed nicely and he's doing great! He has a small 2" scar and even his hair is almost grown back.

Thank you to those of you who have been praying and asking about these two children. Special thanks to the families who donated funds for the CAT scans & hospital stays. Grandma is very grateful for all the help she's received. And Barthese has a smile that would melt an iceberg!!
Hopefully we'll be able to re-schedule for Cliff before too long. Keep praying!