Hospice Jinja Second Day

Wendy and I were sent on different routes today. Wendy mainly saw young children and adults with HIV, and I saw mainly adult patients with a variety of cancers and HIV/Aids.

The family that touched my heart was the one pictured in this photo. Fred is 52 yrs old and was a new patient referee by the local village hospice volunteer. He has advanced submandibular cancer causing pain, weakness, inability to eat and he was struggling to swallow fluids. They have 8 children; 6 little ones ranging from around 2 to 9. Fred has been recommended palliative radiotherapy to ease his pain and help his quality of life, but he has not taken this up. When Esther, the hospice Jinja nurse, tried to find out why (apart from the usual being unable to pay for it), Freds wife carried in their 9 year old son with cerebral palsy. We then understood. Fred could not go to hospital because he’d need his wife with him to nurse and feed him (as is the case in Ugandan hospitals), however their 9 year old needs his mum at home. Their son cannot sit unsupported, he has contracted limbs and no equipment to help him or his mum. What an amazing woman caring for her family in such challenging circumstances. Please pray for them.