Last Tuesday when I saw him he weighed 33 lbs and he could hardly talk or lift up his head. He was sent to the children's hospital in January and they told his parents that he had parasites. They came home and after taking the medicine he still wasn't getting better so they took him to a brujo (traditional healer or witch doctor). They were persuaded to let us take him to the clinic in San Juan because we had two pediatricians and a pediatric surgeon coming.
While in San Juan it was noted that he ate huge amounts but was not gaining weight and also that he had the signs and symptoms of diabetes. We did his blood sugar and it was elevated. He also had a huge abdomen and his large intestine was full according to a CT scan. The pediatric surgeon thinks that he has partial segment Hirschsprung disease. This is where part of the intestine does not have enough nerves so he cannot fully empty and this leads to poor absorption.
So now what... we are giving him insulin and trying to get his blood sugars down. The problem is that insulin is not readily available in this country and if it is .. very costly. His mother cannot read or write but she is very intelligent and she can be taught how to give it to him. The other problem is a fridge to keep the insulin in. Hopefully we can find one for him.
The second part is getting him well enough to have surgery. Right now he is getting three enemas a day and we will have to keep doing that and teach his mom also.
How do we tell a Domincan child that he can't eat rice? He could eat 10 plates a day and never feel full.
So please pray for all these things as we work together to help this family and Willy.
Blessings
Cora
