When Wednesday should be Friday

Jake and I both made it back to the house today around 3:30, earlier than usual, but we both admitted we needed to stop for the day. To emphasize my point, I nodded my head towards my cellphone, I was emotionally and mentally talked out for the day.

Power was off at the house. After a spell trying to calm down and cool down (heat index was 108 today), we set about looking in the cupboards for dinner options that wouldn't need anything from the refrigerator or require power in the process of preparing. We very quickly gave up and opted for a pulperia run to get some salchichas and potatoes for the oven. As we set off in the Exploder, I commented that it feels like it should be Friday already, while Jake responded he couldn't believe it's Wednesday already.

Could be because I had made it back to the house early. Could be because after studying for the past month, I finally passed my recertification. Or, and honestly most likely, it's because of some heavy and slightly dramatic on-going conversations I've been carefully attempting to navigate. I would like to share one of them with you, as there is a very special girl at the children's home that could use prayer.

Danely is an 18 year old girl who has Xeroderma Pigmentosum. XP is a rare genetic disorder that makes one's skin very sensitive to UV light. She has cancer. This in and of itself is not new. She has been fighting various cancerous lesions her whole life. Last week a pathology report was pushed into my hand. Before leaving Jeff had biopsied a recurrent lesion on her tongue, path results were positive for Squamous Cell Cancer. CT scan was obtained and significant for a large primary tongue cancer with mets in her lymph nodes and probably the thyroid as well. Since that moment last week there has been a chain of conversation, sometimes in person, sometimes via phone call, primarily via email, concerning what steps to take next. I have operated on Danely, removing lesions during my visits in the past, but compared to her caretakers and Dr. Jeff, I know the least about Danely and therefore feel almost disconnected from the situation. Which I feel makes me the incorrect person to be making recommendations. Simultaneously, that same disconnection may be just what is needed in a highly emotional situation for others involved. We sought consult from a Pediatric Oncologist and had Danely present to him for his opinion on the matter. We also sought the opinion from some ENT specialists in the US concerning possible surgical options. As a young girl who has already lost her eyes, lost her lips, lost so much to cancer, Danely still has more joy and more desire for relation than I could ever muster. Therefore this past week of talking through the possibility of tongue removal and what that could potentially look like and mean for Danely going forward, all knowing that she will keep getting skin cancers has been an emotional and mental task. There are some many factors to consider especially here in Honduras, where not options are available. As a surgeon, you never think about these cases. You never sign up for the difficult and heart-breaking situations.

So, please pray for Danely. The road that is before her is scary. Not just for her, but what happens to Danely will effect everyone at the Children's home as her laughter is such a constant in their daily lives. The road before them all is scary. She will be starting some medications this week. Please pray that no matter what happens that Danely can maintain her joy and her desire for relation with those around her. She started talking to her care-givers just yesterday, that she would like to be baptised. Jesus loves her more than we ever could, and I pray that he takes care of her.

Much Love.