Josue (Joe-sway) Caleb

(Becky: Connie arrived safely at home Saturday at 10pm, after twelve hours of travel from Honduras. I facetimed with her yesterday for close to 2 hours, just checking in and get all of the scoop. She looked rested and great. I was a teary mess though. I am so proud of her, and still just blown away by all of the beautiful ripples that Oakes has created in our lives (lots of tears).

So, Connie has several posts to share. Here is the latest that was sent over last night.)


Sunday, 10/26/13

My young interpreter, Alejandra (we called her Ale) and I spoke with Josue’s father, also called Josue, at his son’s bedside. Their family lives in a small, rural Honduran town, El Progreso, four hours by car from Tegucigalpa. Padre Josue works in a textile factory in San Pedro Sula, two hours away from Progreso.

For Geographical reference points, Tegucigalpa is located in south central Honduras, closer to the North Pacific Ocean. San Pedro Sula is north and east, close to the Caribbean coast.

Little Josue is four years old, an only child. At birth, doctors discovered a problem with his pancreatic artery, and operated when he was fifteen days old. During his hospitalization a heart defect was discovered. The doctors told Josue and his wife that their son would need heart surgery, as well. They have been waiting since that time for the needed surgery, but they didn’t know where to take him. They had taken Josue Caleb to three different cardiologists but could not find a practicing pediatric cardiac surgeon anywhere in Honduras. Josue also has Downs Syndrome.

                                             Fr. Fenton examining Josue after his surgery.

In 2011 Josue’s maternal grandmother saw a poster for Helping Hands for Honduras/ManosAyudando a Honduras in the Hospital del Torax in Tegucigalpa. (My next post will give a little background on Helping Hands for Honduras (HHH).) She asked for information and learned that HHH was partnering with the International Children’s Heart Foundation to provide a cardiology clinic. During the next mission Josue was examined and one of the cardiologists performed a catheterization and determined that Josue needed heart surgery.

When his parents brought Josue back to the next mission in 2012 he had the flu and a fever and was not a candidate for surgery. When we asked Pedro Josue what it was like when the surgeons could not fix their son’s heart and they had to wait for the next mission, he said they were hoping that when they brought Josue back he would not need the surgery anymore. And when you came a few days ago for his examination, and they told you he would get a surgery this time? Josue’s father said he felt a little nervous when they first found out, but he also felt confident (in the doctors, that all would be well.)

Unlike many heart babies, Josue has a lot of energy. He is very, very strong. He loves to eat, play soccer, swim and take baths. There are chickens and cats around his home that he likes to chase and play with. Josue has limited verbal skills, but he is very adept at getting his point across. Soon after Josue returned from the OR, he started waking up. He didn’t want the cannula in his nose and kept trying to pull it out. After repeatedly moving his strong little hand away, the nurses got a pair of Halloween socks out of the “goodie box” and slipped them over his hands so he couldn’t wrap his fingers around the tubing.. When he was upset, everybody knew it and he was all over that bed. But by the second day post op he was sweet and cooperative, kicking at the balloon one of the nurses held up for him, swatting at bubbles, and mimicking hand gestures with his father. Josue was clearly a handful, but his father was endlessly patient and gentle.

We asked Pedro Josue if there was anything he wanted to say to HHH and ICHF? “We are so grateful. In this country this surgery would not be possible without your help. The prices for the surgery are very high and there is no budget to pay for it. Thanks to all of you (HHH & ICHF) that care to the babies is possible. I hope that God gives you back all that you have given.”

Connie with Josue, and Padre Josue. Love those Halloween socks!

Nurse Amber J blowing bubbles for Josue.