A story of 4 mothers - Third Mother

Biliary atresia,

in simple words, it means the bloackage of bile duct, congenital type.

Undergoing HIDA scan a few weeks after born,

the child was sent to operate under Kasai surgery.

This times was his second admission after discharged about one week ago.

Came in with the same problem, ascites (with distended stomach).

Mother looked pale.

The child did not sleep well these few nights.

Innocent yellowish eyeballs of the child showed a severe jaundice,indeed.

We optimised every treatment.

An afternoon while doctors and me are having grand round,

mother cried.

Pathetic. Hopeless.

Specialist explained to mother the condition.

The child had to stay strong in order to survive. It solely depends on his condition.

Mother asked whether should she try traditional medicines.

We all gripped in silence.

For sure, we did not encourage.

Yet, sometimes, it may give placebo effect.

Another way to comfort the mother.

After discussing with other specialists,

a stronger antibiotic was given for one and a half months.

Concurrently, the other medications were continued.

Thanks god,

we saw good result.

The stomach get smaller with normal looking eyeballs.

Eventually the regimen was finished and the child was discharged two weeks ago.

I remembered his big big eyes, exactly like the cat in Puss in Boots.

I witnessed his growth, from lying to sitting without support.

I guided him to learn walking.

Mother made her hard decision to move over here just in case his condition worsens at anytime

where he needs the same regimen again.

I felt empathy when I listened to doctors' discussion that

the recurrence is unavoidable,

he just needs the antibiotic whenever until.......

What the child suffered was much more than what we could actually help.

Sometimes,

as a medical professional,

we are not only focusing on the treatment

but also their development and growth.

We might be able to take care of the child as his or her mother,

but we assists.

To help whenever necessary.

What hope that

the child would never admit to ward again

though I believe there is high tendency.

but we pray.