Kieren's Visit to Doctor Monday

Hello everyone!

Wanted to update you with the happenings of Kieren's visit to the hospital today to see the doctor and have her dressings changed. We had an appointment in a clinic in the Red Cross hospital (where Kieren has stayed, but in a different area) at 11:30. We waited in a room for a long time with many other mommas and babies and slowly had Kieren's dressings taken off and she was cleaned. Until that time, Kieren had been a great mood and even playing with other children and exploring the waiting room. But once I took her into the dressing room (where 2 other children were also being worked on and were screaming) she started screaming and crying and really didn't stop much the rest of the visit. It's such a difficult thing because she is obviously just traumatized by this accident, and especially hates being poked and prodded at the hospital. Later, when we finally were able to see the doctor (one of the same ones we have been seeing the past two weeks) she noticeably scared and upset to see him. After her dressing was taken off, we had to wait to see doctor and her wounds were wrapped in plastic wrap. This was problematic because the wounds were itchy and then began to bleed as she moved. Uggh, it was just bad, and as I asked a nurse for help, they re-wrapped her (annoyed) and rolled their eyes asking why I hadn't brought a blanket for her. MY FIRST TIME TO THAT CLINIC! So eventually we saw doctor and he continues to be encouraged by her progress - especially the healing in her face which looks great - PRAISE! However, they are still concerned by her chest and will give her another week to heal on her own, and if it does not then they will do a skin graft. AS I continue to appeal, we would LOVE your prayers for this because we really don't want further surgery! Pray for a full and complete healing for Kieren. Eventually, with the help of a family who understood this whole process so much better than I, Kieren was wrapped up again and I could finally take my exhausted daughter home. I think the whole think took about 4-5 hours in the clinic.

So obviously there is so much to be thankful for - we are seeing major progress and healing in Kieren's body and burns and even her opening up again to have the same spirit and joy that she had before the accident. God is DEFINITELY at work! However, there are a couple things that weighed heavy on my heart today. The first is that it is SO hard to continue to be served at this State hospital because you just wait and wait and wait and it's hard for these kids who are suffering! Which obviously makes it hard for us moms! And it's not just my white baby who struggles, but all the kids really struggle to wait so long. It's just the way it is for so many all over the world who don't have private health care, and SOME even don't have health care options at all!! It is such an eye-opener in so many ways, and I am thankful that we can receive care at all. But still, it's just a hard thing for all there and I wish we didn't have to go through all this. The second thing that is weighing even heavier is the WAY we are treated at this hospital. I don't really want to harp on this too long because I don't want to focus negatively on anything (it's a good time in life to stay positive), but we honestly feel that we are treated very poorly by the staff at the hospital in an unfair way. We feel that it is possibly because we are white and most of the staff is coloured (black and white mixed race) because the blacks in the hospital are also treated very poorly, while it seems not to be the case for the coloured patients. I even hesitate to write this, but I honestly just want to ask for prayer. Once again I was treated rudely by the staff today (a couple people who also work in the burn ward and have been rude to us before) and it brought me to tears and despair. I am honestly NOT a cry-er but I cry every time I am at that hospital and feel like it is adding unnecessary pain to an already traumatic experience. We would like an opportunity to speak to someone at the hospital about it in a respectful way, so that we can help others not to also be hurt.

Today I have been reflecting on this treatment and having a new place of understanding for my friends who have also been treated poorly simply because of the color of their skin. OBVIOUSLY I cannot truly relate from one place where I am treated badly, but the amount of pain it has brought gives me a new perspective into something I am already passionate about. I am thankful to know my true identity in Jesus Christ that makes all equal, free, and beloved because of who God has created us to be. Please pray for us as we continue on this interesting and challenging path!

Galatians 3:26-28
"You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, or all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

Lots of love,
Sarah