Hi from the Philippines.
Yes, we were supposed to be home by now, but we are still here.
Trust me, this is all part of God’s perfect plan.
Okay, so when we arrived back to Manila 11 days ago, Kelsey went to April’s house. April is her Filipino friend who Kelsey originally was coming to the Philippines to stay with and visit.
On her second or third day with April, she called us saying she had a fever. Next thing she broke out in a petechia rash so she went to the ED. She tested positive for dengue fever.
Dengue fever is a virus you catch from a mosquito. It can be very painful in the joints and can cause a fever for a few days, followed by a drop in labs and a rash, but it typically is not life threatening.
Since doctors over here know more about tropical diseases than in US, we decided to stay here.
She has been in the hospital since Sunday, mainly for comfort, easy access for lab draws and keep her hydrated. She is on the up and out of dengue. Her labs should be starting on an upward trend and she should be discharged by tomorrow.
As much as I hate watching Kelsey feel like crap, the Lord has been using this in both of our lives.
Since before she got dengue, I have been battling with the thoughts of extending my stay here.
When all of this happened, we had no choice but to extend our stay for another week… but I felt a nudge to stay longer.
It was hard for me to choose though, because on top of Kelsey being in the hospital here, my roommate at home is also in the hospital. She had a scheduled surgery, but needs care when she gets home.
Then on Sunday….
I found out I have opportunity to go with a local church back to Leyte to help with another clinic. I immediately said yes before checking the dates (opps).
My visa expires on the 14th, and the only flight I could delay my departure with no-charge would be the 10th. The team going to Leyte wouldn’t be back until the 11th.
I was bummed, but halfway excited because I had an excuse to say no. I knew I probably couldn’t afford to go there anyways.
THEN….
Today happened.
The doc came by to see Kelsey. On top of dengue, they diagnosed her with rubella. WHAT?? I thought this was extinct.
She got the vaccine when she was a baby, but apparently it’s not 100% effective. Rubella is the german measles that causes a 3 day rash (I’m guessing it’s similar to chickenpox–I’ve never had a patient with it).
It is contagious through air so we can’t fly out for another 10+ days.
Although we are a bit weary about the diagnosis, we have to go get visas next week to extend our stay AGAIN.
That means…..
I am able to go back to Leyte tomorrow with some local Filipino docs to do another medical clinic.
And this is so cool because…..
I have been praying about it and asked a friend to pray with me as well.
She said to trust the Lord would provide $260. That seemed like such a random number. Well it was, but she said she kept accidentally typing that number in verses the lower number I had estimated it would cost.
Anyways, I talked to the doc today to make sure I was still able to go. Once confirmed, I went to go get the ticket and to no surprise the ticket was $259.60. Wow.
What about Kelsey…
Kelsey would be more mad at me if I stayed to help care for her than if I went to help in the islands.
She is in good hands at the Hope House. She is on her road to recovery. She keeps encouraging me to go and she has told me NUMEROUS times that she believes this is what the Lord wants.
That being said…
I leave at 3am to go back to Leyte for 5 days.
How can you help…
Again, we need prayer. Lots of prayer. Prayer for Kelsey’s healing. Prayer for safety for the trip. Prayer that we are able to be the hands and feet of Jesus, and prayer for anything else the Lord lays on your heart.
I believe we have the medical supplies we need, but if you want to help support the trip you can do so through Wipe Every Tear. Click on that link and then click on “typhoon haiyan relief” and in the comments say “for Liz Ogletree.”
