Madame Josee'

Sisters!  Aug. 2013

Many of you already know parts of this story- some of you know nothing but are trying to figure out what is going on. Well, here is the answer to:  "What have you been doing at the hospital so much the past few weeks?"

Our cook (and Redgi's mom), Madame Josee', was diagnosed with breast cancer in the fall of 2012.  She chose to share this information with a team in December as part of her testimony (which she gave to the group- what an inspiration she is to ALL) but otherwise has kept quiet about it.  At that time, she had made the decision to try a natural diet and prayer- trusting God for healing rather than a more aggressive approach. By March when our team was in Haiti she was feeling a bit worse and even had an appointment at the hospital but due to some mix-up didn't get a biopsy they suggested.  No follow-up was done so she left there  under the assumption that she should, "come see us if it gets much worse".

As this summer progressed we could tell she was in a great deal of pain-she was often found sitting in the cooking area of the house, bent over in a chair.  She even went so far as to apologize to me when the last group left on August 3rd for not being more social with groups this summer.  Of course, they would never think that- she is one of the most positive and amazing women I know and I am so blessed to consider her my sister!

As soon as the groups were done we took her for an appointment at the new hospital in Mirebalais.  This is a "Partners in Health" hospital if you are familiar with the work Dr. Paul Farmer has done and is doing in Haiti.  It is very modern and has technology not found often in Haiti (if at all).  After many appointments and tests, they have determined that she is currently in stage 4 and have begun chemotherapy in hopes of arresting the progression or possibly reversing it.  There appears to be metastasis to the lungs, heart and possibly a spot in the liver.  This is not a good diagnosis but we are trusting God is STILL in control and He will see this family through.

The after effects of chemotherapy are not pretty.  Life in Haiti for a woman is already difficult, but one who is so sick will need others to come alongside her to do laundry, cook, carry water, etc... all of which require a great deal of energy that she will just not have as she continues with treatments.  She will need to get at least one wig as she looses her hair.  She will need moral/spiritual/emotional support as will the whole family.  This has been very hard on Redgi and he is still not sure what his plans will be this fall for college among other things.  (some of what we have been discussing while on our "retreat" time)  He is not one to open up with his feelings/fears but anyone who knows him can see his pain.

We have had some great times to pray together and I know the whole family trusts God, but that doesn't make the reality of watching someone you love go through what these next months will bring.  How I love this family like they are my own and how I just want to remove this pain and all that will come with this horrible disease.  I lost my dad to pancreatic cancer and my stepmother to cancer as well.  I watched those I love go through just what Madame Josee' will be facing (and her family as well). I was blessed to have support though of family/friends who lived close and had access to transportation.  We were blessed to have good medical care readily accessible to those I loved- hers is 2 hours away on a good traffic day (and up over HUGE mountains with winding roads that can make you feel sick even when you have not just had chemo).   We have hospice in the USA - there is no such thing in Haiti so if/when things get to that point, no one is there to physically ease the pain, counsel the family, etc...  The list could go on and on.

These last few weeks since going to the hospital on Aug. 5th have been brutal- emotionally and physically on everyone, but they are most likely just the beginning of a LONG road.  Will you please pray for the Alvarez family?  Also, many of you have offered to contribute financially.  Just one drive to the hospital takes about 1/4 tank of gas ($25 US), medicine will need to be purchased for pain and other things, someone will need to be paid to do laundry/cooking/chores if no one else is available (it's not like the USA -everyone has their own things to do so not as much help is accessible),bloodwork needs to be done every week before she can get chemo which will involve driving to a lab and paying for the bloodwork as well as waiting there for the results to take along to Mirebalais, etc.... We are committed to help this family financially during this time and possibly offer physical help as well (I personally am willing to travel to Haiti to help care for her if needed- we will see).  Lots still to be determined and lots of direction from God still to come, but praise that all involved know and trust Him.  May He use this whole story as a testimony to His faithfulness- whatever that looks like!  Only He knows but no one better to trust than the one who created her life and has sustained her so far.  To HIM be the glory!

What an amazing woman and great friend to MANY!