When seven-year-old Abloy showed up at the Red Cross field hospital in the Philippines, medical staff didn’t think he was going to make it.
Abloy had contracted tetanus by cutting his foot in the debris after Typhoon Haiyan made landfall.
Tetanus is a terrible disease that most Canadians are vaccinated against. The bacteria generally enter the system through an open a wound. It’s often associated with rusty nails and as it progresses, it causes severe muscle spasms.
“I felt so sad, and was so afraid and I was praying to God that he would make it and feel better,” said Abloy’s mother, Amy Bulahan.
The family lives 67 kilometres from where the Red Cross field hospital is set up in front of the district hospital in the city of Ormoc. Not only was their second oldest child of three very sick, but their home was completely destroyed by the typhoon. After first going to the health centre nearest to them, they were given the diagnosis, and told to come to Ormoc. The family made the journey by bus, all while Abloy was suffering through muscle spasms. It was there that Red Cross and district hospital staff saw him.
“I felt so happy when the delegates showed us care, they gave him free medication and free assistance,” said Amy.
Abloy needed around the clock care for almost two weeks. He was moved into a quiet room by himself and was given medication for the pain and to sedate him as the spasms wracked through his body.
“I felt he was not going to survive,” said Giovanni Enero, one of the nurses who spent many sleepless nights caring for Abloy. “Now I feel so happy and good taking care of Abloy, I feel we did a good job.”
In addition to medicine, Red Cross delegates spent some time doing psychosocial activities and play therapy with Abloy, playing music with him, and getting his muscles working again by throwing a ball around.
“I really feel it was the combination of all the care we were able to provide to him that saved him,” said Colleen Laginskie, Red Cross head nurse. “We not only cared for his physical body, but we cared for his soul, we loved him.”
Abloy went home on December 18, walking all by himself out of the field hospital.
“If it wasn’t for the Red Cross, I don’t know what would have happened,” said Amy.
Everyone involved in Abloy’s recovery is convinced if there are miracles, this is certainly one of them.