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| Group photo of patients at the Hope Clinic |
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| Eunice before and after her treatment | |
Dear Tim and Slum Doctor Programme
Grace is a 32 year-old Kenyan woman. AIDS killed her husband, is killing her, and has infected two of her three children. She lives alone with the secret. Her own young children aged 8 and 6 don't know they have the disease. They wouldn't understand it and would probably tell the neighbors in innocent conversation. Grace found out she had HIV when she was pregnant with her last child. Several months prior, her husband had died of a mysterious infection. When the pregnancy clinic told her she had HIV, it became clear to her that her husband died of the disease and had given it to her. She enrolled in a research trial to stop her unborn child from receiving a similar fate. Despite her best efforts, her daughter acquired HIV and now, with AIDS wearing down her strength she must find a way to support them all. Up until now, she was their only hope.
Tumaini is the Swahili word for hope. We have decided to call this program Tumaini. The two thousand dollars the Slum Doctor Programme has contributed will go towards saving Grace's family. We are going to make it last as long as we can. When we informed Grace that that sponsors in the U.S.had donated money to treat her, she was initially hesitant, unsure of the side effects of the medication and how long the support would last. But when we found out her children were similarly infected and told her we wanted to treat them as well, she was determined to take the medication. She is their only means of support and now there would be hope for the children too.
Thanks to all of you we have begun treatment. It is one step on a long road that will twist and bend, but I am happy to say we have taken the first step. As you see, Grace is willing to share her story. She understands that you wish to get to know her better. I am sending photos of her and the antiretroviral medications in front of her. We are bringing in Grace's children next week to evaluate them and determine whether they will need to begin treatment. Similarly, she would like to know you. If you can, send photos of yourselves. She would like to see your faces too.
Michael Chung
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| Two of our young patients at the Tumaini Clinic | |
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5/12/04 All Tumaini patients are doing well except for Rosabella.ÊI think she has left us permanently.ÊI can't blame her. She lost her baby and then had two very bad reactions to medications.ÊShe has every right toÊbe scared.ÊI really hoped we could do something but to no avail.ÊOn a brighter note, Jane brought in her son who is aged 9.ÊThe boy, Austin, has HIV but his CD4 count is still OK so we are going to hold off on treatment.ÊWe also tested Theresa's husband, Edward, and his CD4 remains high so we don't need to start him on ARVs either.ÊGrace is in a good holding pattern, at the same time I am watching her closely.ÊEunice is apparently doing well but I haven't seen her in a while.ÊTheresa is herself all smiles and has opened up her own small business, she is great.Ê |
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| The children, George and
Kevin, are apparently also doing very well,
the pediatricians are seeing them and not
me.ÊHilda and Jane themselves are giggly
too.ÊPaul has gained substantial weight
and feels very good.ÊFunny how people can
really tell that they are getting better
almost immediately. MichaelÊChung |
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5/13/04 I just saw Kevin today.ÊHe is growing up to be a small healthy boy!!!Ê He is a delight.ÊHe walks and is shy and is a small thing but looks normal.ÊI couldn't believe my eyes when I saw him.ÊWhen we first met him, he was a sickly baby who was being hospitalized every week.ÊIt's amazing to see children turn around so quickly.ÊWhat a difference a year makes! I MUST carry my camera next time to show you.ÊVery thrilling today.Ê:-) Ê Michael Chung |
