Big drugs for a small woman

Some of our gentle readers may recall a post in May about multidrug resistant TB.

Tomorrow marks a new phase in the life of the courageous Mrs. Candy.

A widow. A destitute. A professional beggar. A lady with HIV. A person who has TB gnawing away inside her and still is sputum positive after the full course of supervised TB treatment.

We have often wondered what is the point of helping out at all.

Our wonderings are cut short by the smile that splits the face of this dear woman. Very much made in the image of God, this brave lady continues to live. Its a hidden life that most gloss over - one of squalor and sickness. She is back to collecting and sorting garbage on days when she is able to be out and about a bit.

The full impact of her life and love for God will only be known in the history books of eternity.

In the meantime, a small but unexpected miracle seems to be taking place.

Faced with the ruinous cost of 'second line TB treatment' (which the govt. is supposed to give, but really doesn't have the funds to give and so only gives a portion of), we just continued her on the regular TB treatment.

She has survived till now.

Then early this week we talked to folks from Medicines Sans Frontiers about another case. Sheba just casually asked them if they would be willing to help out with Mrs. Candy's medication. She was expecting a cold no - or indifference at best.

Instead they said that they would be very willing to see what they can do.

What we could hardly believe would happen - seems to be unfolding before our very eyes. Oh we of little faith...

Mrs. Candy, her sister, and our JSK staff member Giri go over to the MSF clinic tomorrow.

We are hoping that this medication will be strong enough and quick enough to knock out the TB bacteria in Mrs. Candy (and also protect others from getting what she has) before the TB knocks out Mrs. Candy.

These are small steps for a brave woman - and very big drugs for a small woman to take.

Pray.