Esophageal cancer

Esophageal cancer, while uncommon in much of the world, is very prevelant in this part of Kenya. There are various theories as to why that is - diet, scalding hot temperature of tea, genetic predisposition - and research is being done here at Tenwek (primarily by Dr. Russ White) to further investigate those theories. We don't have chemotherapy to offer these patients but we do have a palliative stent that can be placed through endoscopy. This makes it possible for the patients to swallow again which makes for a much better quality of life. On average they live 8 months longer after stent placement. This patient is a 71 year old male who presented to Tenwek with a complaint of inability to swallow. You can see from the picture that he had lost a significant amount of weight as a result. The first two pictures show the esophageal (spelled "oesophageal" here) cancer and the endoscopy team performing the EGD. The third picture shows the stent in place opening up the esophagus. The last picture is the patient drinking from the "ceremonial cup" - a cup they use to give water to the patients after stenting - the patients are able to swallow immediately and are very appreciative. If any medical people want more info, here's the pubmed link to a recent article published by Dr. White on esophageal stenting:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19230771.

Premie success story

On average we have 30 babies (currently 40) in the NICU at any given time, some with infections, some with congenital anomalies, many who were born prematurely. We do the best we can for these tiny infants but with homemade incubators, no ventilators, no TPN, and no surfactant (used for premature lungs), the chances are not very good for the really small ones. But there are some miracle infants who don't seem to know the odds are against them and survive anyways - thanks to the Great Physician. One of those babies is Kip__. Kip__ was born at 26 weeks gestation age (we think - dates aren't very accurate here) and his weight dropped down to 680gms at its lowest point (1.5lbs). He battled respiratory distress syndrome (immature lungs), a PDA (immature heart), infections, anemia, and very slow feeding due to his immature GI tract. But he grew steadily and was discharged in February at 1900gms (4lb). I'm posting this now because his mom brought him back for a check up this week and he is now 3kg (6.6lbs) at age 4 months and looks chubby and healthy! Also he no longer has a heart murmur. Praise the Lord! I was very encouraged to see him this week looking so well and wanted to share his story with you as so many other stories around here unfortunately end quite differently. Baby Kip__ on day of discharge - 1900gms


Kip__ with mother and nurse Gladys

Kip__ this week at 3000gm

Pasaka Njema!

I hope everyone celebrated a beautiful Easter with family and friends worshipping our risen Savior and focusing on the amazing truth of the Gospel. As with Christmas, living in this rural microcosm of the world with minimal outside influences (especially as the internet has been down the past few days), it seemed easier to focus on the celebration of the Gospel and the Passion of Christ this year. I enjoyed a three day weekend complete with a Good Friday service, watching The Passion movie, a Passover Seder (Christian Passover service), Easter sunrise service, meals with friends, relaxing, playing games, and hanging out with the missionary kids.

The cross at the sunrise service on Easter morning. As is evidently a Tenwek tradition, we all placed flowers on the cross at the end of the service.

Christian Passover service with all the Samaritan's Purse Post Residents and families

Easter egg hunt!

Easter dinner