Benin Patient Number One: Valentine's Story

Valentine front and center; he along with the the other 2 in the center were our first 3 plastic patients.
From left to right: Prince (Romes' baby brother), Gladys, Valentine, Romes and Ali. 

Open hospital day one: As the first five patients walked into the ward I could tell that they shared many of my own feelings. We were all excited (nurses, day crew, patients and family), but at the same time we were quite nervous. Of those first patients, was a little eight year old boy named Valentine. He came with his father, Papa Valentine the rest of the ward called him. Of the two young boys admitted that day he was the more cautions. He smiled shyly as we welcomed him.

Valentine comes from a village outside Cotonou. His family is very poor, but that didn’t stop his father from making the journey to the ship in search of healing for his son. Not having the money to return home, father and son spent their nights in a local park as they waited for his appointed surgery day after screening. His journey to the ship started when playing with matches caused a house fire and burned him severely. Since then, this little one has faced many hurtles and concurred them, the first being that he survived the initial event despite not having access to the type of medical care he needed. His burns closed but he was left with many scars, the largest of which caused one of his thighs to be pulled up into his lower abdomen. Valentine was no longer able to stand up straight; he walked hunched over and with a limp. The first time I saw him during the admission process we had to get a stool for him to climb in and out of his bed as he was unable to lift his leg to climb in.

Valentine was our very first patient. He was number one on the surgery schedule that Monday morning, he even got the very first unit of blood donated by a fellow nurse and crew member. He had major surgery which took a long time to heal. He was the topic of many of our prayers that first week. Valentine had to lay flat for many days after surgery so he could heal. Papa Valentine stayed right by his side. It was a blessing to see such a loving father as he cared for his son and worried for him. Valentin was in pain. It was hard to see, even knowing that things would get better. The day Valentine was allowed out of bed for the first time was one of the happiest days on the ward. He stood with his little walker, playing a game with one of his new friends and fellow patients. What a glorious sight, but the best part about the scene was the smile that spread across his face.

Laying flat to heal after surgery. Finally a smile!

Papa Valentine & Valentine with his blood donor Liz. The crew members on the ship make up a literal walking blood bank. 

Working hard with Physical Therapy to relearn how to use his muscles. 

And Valentine has not stopped smiling since. For a long time he was the joy of the hospital. As other less invasive plastics patients came and went, Valentine remained, working hard to recover. Slowly he reached many milestones in the wards; Standing straight, walking, running, sitting, riding a tricycle, reaching and stretching high, and yes even climbing into his own bed by himself without the help of a stool. We were all excited but also sad to see Valentine discharge from the hospital because we miss his smiley face and sweet spirit. He is currently at the HOPE Center (Hospital Outpatients Extension) where he can live close by in a safe and clean environment as he continues his therapy and healing. 

Standing straight!

Not being able to bend didn't stop Valentine from having fun on deck 7 with the rest of us.

 

So happy to finally be allowed to sit again
              because it means he can ride the "moto!"

Soon Valentine will be leaving to return home to his family that he has been unable to see since his father brought him to the ship. I would love to be there when his mother sees him again for the first time, standing straight and tall once again. I get I little emotional just thinking about how that reunion will be. Papa Valentine says he is excited for Valentine’s future because now Valentine will be able to return to school. 

The first season for plastics is complete. The last plastic patients are discharging today. We’re moving from burns to bones as in its place we opened orthopedics last week. Currently, B-ward is filled with kids in cast, learning to stand on straight legs. It’s an exciting time!

Author's Note: While I am currently serving with Mercy Ships the ideas and opinions expressed here are my own. Mercy Ships has not reviewed nor do they endorse the content written within this blog. A big thank you to the photographers who shared the pictures this post contains.