Blog

Here's an email from Wilson with the update.

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This is to inform everyone of how Jyoti is doing.  We have all been at the hospital for a while now and we finally have some information about her condition.  about 12 hours ago the medicine she was given (antibiotics and anti-seizure) stabilized her enough for them to do the CT Scan.  She was able to wake up, go to the bathroom, and even complained of hunger.  She has been completely stabilized since she woke up and has had no more seizures. 

The doctor came back a few hours ago to read the test results and told me about their diagnosis.  They were thinking at first that she might have TB, but most of the evidence seems to point to having parasites in her brain.  The worms have caused swelling which is what gave her the seizures.  While speaking with the doctor she told me that the area that Jyoti is originally from is a pandemic for these parasites, and seeing that when she came to Asha she had a habit of eating dirt and mud, it is likely she picked up the parasites that way. 

She will be in the hospital but out of intensive care for 3 more days.  They need to give her some steroids to reduce the swelling, medicine to kill the worms, and anti-seizure medicine as well.  They want to monitor her as they start her treatment.  The steroids are for 5 days, the worm medicine is for 1 month, and the anti-seizure medicine will last for 6 months.  They will have to take her for check ups every month for 6 months and at the end give her another CT scan to ensure that the worms have died. 

She has been really brave throughout this ordeal.  We have had to deal with some Indian doctors and nurses who wanted to uphold the hospital policy that ICU patients visitors are allow in only 15 minutes a day, regardless if the patient is 3 years old.  After some fighting with them they conceded that Simini could stay with Jyoti in her bed.  Because she missed a full day's worth of eating yesterday, she has been ravenous and devouring packages of cookies, hospital food, and fruit.  She even asked for soda (why not take advantage of a good situation to get such a rare treat?) but the doctors said no.  She has not been crying at all since Simini was allowed to stay with her and she seems normal right now with the treatment, she even gave me a kiss on the cheek when I was allowed to visit her. 

We are all really grateful for everyone who has been praying, and I do want you to know that it was after we sent out the prayer request and everyone responded that she immediately began doing better. 

Much thanks for healing grace...

Wilson

Email from Wilson on Sep 29, 2008 at the request of one of the last mission team members.

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Here are Jyoti's expenses for her hospital bill.  Most of them have been fronted by the orphanage, but their monthly budget will not be able to withstand this amount considering this is more than half their monthly bills.

Hospital Bill: $560
Food: $40  (this was during their 4 day stay and subsequent all day check ups)
Phone: $25 (their phone bills during her stay they were state-to-state calls)
Medicine: $60 (6 months worth of medicine for her parasites and anti-seizure meds)
Tests: $100 (tests will need to be redone after the months of medical treatment)
Transportation: $225 (she needs regular visits to the hospital, an hour away, some are rentals, some personal driving)

Total: $1010

Just wanted you to know that Jyoti is doing fine now.  She is on her medication and has assumed her normal routine.  They are giving her fruits and vitamin rich yogurt for about 2 weeks and doing bi-weekly doctor check ups.  Her report from the other day was fine and that the medicine and treatment was working as planned.  Thanks for all your help with support and keeping everyone informed.

Wilson