I love it when things work out well. I love it when the unexpected happens and it is just the perfect thing.
Just before the first of this month, a dear family from Peculiar, MO. was able to take Francis into their home. Dan and Debbie Brantley read the KC Star articles and called the mission to see if they could be a host family for a child. The ball started to roll. It was perfect timing for these boys. Their surgeries are exactly one week apart and it would be a logistics impossibility to take care of one kid at Olathe Med and the other at KU. Francis transferred easily into his new surroundings. He has three new brothers and a sister and more toys (all neatly organized in the basement) than he even knew existed. Dan himself has had to go through reconstructive hand surgery. His arm was sliced to the bone when he was a young man. He had to learn to reuse his hand...exactly the rehab path that Francis has before him, a perfect fit.
His surgery this past Thursday was a success. The doctors released his other elbow and separated his fingers. Later he will need surgeries on the back of both hands, one at a time.
Hawa and Sia also were under the knife the same day as Francis. It was a very long day for Lonny and the host families. All is progressing well. Salifu will have surgery on Thursday.
We visited the Olathe pool today for the first time. Sal has taught himself to swim (barely). He is so determined. He is definitely a survivor.
We expect to be at the med center for 3-4days. Keep him in your prayers.
Blessings,
Ann
PS: Salifu's surgery is now scheduled for June 21.