Working with Dr. Will

No matter how many patients are waiting, Dr. Will is never too busy to let a young man show off his muscles!

When I first moved down, it seemed we were spending a lot of time with folks in the clinics at Hermano Pedro.  I still do that sometimes, but since Dick doesn’t bring in as many folks to the clinic as he used to, I’m not playing the support role as much.

Now, however, we seem to be making a lot of trips to San Lucas Toliman, on Lake Atitlan, taking kids Dick finds at wheelchair distributions to see our friend, Dr. Will Bogel.  Dr. Will moved down here a number of years ago, and has started a children’s ministry on their avocado farm.  In addition, a few days a week, he works in the clinic at the hospital in San Lucas.  A couple of times a year, he brings in teams of some of the best foot and leg surgeons in the US to perform surgeries on Guatemalan patients, free of charge.

Since Will is primarily at Lake Atitlan, he has asked us to help him find candidates for these surgeries, which usually take place in February.  Often, Dick will take the children and their parents to the first appointment.  We’ve learned, however, that this is not a one-shot involvement for us a lot of the time.

Alma, a fourteen year old who has needed extensive foot surgery, came home from the hospital with a “halo-cast” with large steel rods sticking out from her ankle every which way.  There was absolutely no way she could go to follow up checks on a bus, so between Dick driving her to appointments at the Lake, and me hiring shuttles to take her when Dick’s not available, we’ve gotten pretty deeply involved with this family.  She got her cast off the end of April, and hopefully now will be able to go on the bus with her folks for further rechecks.  (However, next February she needs a similar surgery on her other foot, so we will probably be at it again!)

We learned we can’t get as deeply involved with all the patients as we have with Alma, but still, some we take up to Dr. Will find an extra special place in our hearts.

Gravis, a.k.a. Edgar, is a little guy Dick met when a team built a house for his grandmother near Retahuleu.  He is a spit-fire, despite the fact that, at his knees his legs sharply angle out.  Mom and Dad have taken him to many doctors who have recommended various treatments, including expensive braces. They are extremely knowledgeable about his over-all health, and jumped at the chance to see Dr. Will.

After examining Gravis and looking at his previous x-rays, Dr. Will determined that the problem was not exactly with his joints, but with the uneven formation of the growth plates at the end of his long bones.  While he has hyper-rotation at his hips, this does not seem to impede his walking.  The angling at his knees, however, does; in fact, it’s amazing to me that he not only walks, but runs and loves to dance.

The next step for Gravis is uncertain.  Dr. Will will send his notes and photos of the x-rays to a number of specialists in the US, and thanks to technology, these doctors will decide, as a team, what is the best course of treatment, if any.  From what Dr. Will told us, the condition will continue to become more severe as Gravis grows, so, even if surgery is advised, it needs to be carefully timed.  So we wait. . .and we pray.

During my visiting with the mother, I discovered, too, that Gravis has some cardiac problems which make anesthesia very risky for this little guy.  This is another aspect Dr. Will needs to investigate with Gravis cardiologist in Guatemala City.  We are praying this condition won’t eliminate the possibility of surgery, which could possibly be done with spinal anesthesia, but we just don’t know.  Again, we wait. . .and we pray some more.

Whatever the outcome of the exams, however, we feel certain Gravis will have a good life.  He doesn’t realize he’s really any different than other kids.  (I wonder if this will change next year when he starts school? His ability to walk gives him an advantage over other kids with physical disabilities, but he obviously looks different. His parents have treated him as normal, and have encouraged him to do whatever he can.  Spending the day with them, you could see an feel their great love for their child.

So, do we really have to stay involved with this family to make sure Gravis gets the treatment his needs?  Of course not.  But sometimes, I think it is good (both for us and the families) to support and encourage parents who are doing a good job caring for their child.  I know they will transport him by bus whenever they are able, but, should he need surgery, he surely can’t go home on the bus.  I’m pretty sure we will be his ride home if and when this time comes.

I’ve been wondering, lately, with the number of kids Dick is referring to Dr. Will as surgical candidates, if both he and I won’t be spending a week in February playing medical transport home from the hospital.  It’s an inconvenience, to be sure, but also a privilege to support these families who work so hard for their kids, as well as partner with great doctors who give their time and expertise to help our Guatemalan children.  

Please pray for all of these potential surgical candidates, as well as the generous doctors and nurses who come to care for them.  Pray for those who are still recovering from last February’s surgeries, especially my young friend Alma.  Pray for wisdom and discernment as the doctors decide a course of treatment for Gravis.  And pray for others to come along side us in providing transportation when it is needed.  This is an amazing work, and I’m honored to be able to support it in whatever way I can.