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In 2014 Linley took a trip to Sumatra. During a late night drive to Samosir the ferry was full and we had to reroute late at night. We met a car filled with priests from the church in the area we were about to visit and we drove together, stopping for dinner. One of the priest's recognized Linley and reminded her that they had met in early 2005 in Aceh when he was a student priest. They had gone to Aceh to work after the tsunami and worked together in a remote area, providing the only medical care to the 700 refugees stranded there. It was a delightful reunion.
It was a couple of days later that this young priest showed Linley the photo of a very ill woman who had been bedridden for 3 months with a severe allergic reaction. She lives in an extremely remote area that is difficult to get to by car.
Linley visited this woman, Bangot, a 54 year old farmer with friend, Father Herman. She had been given medicine 3 months prior by a local nurse for headaches and suffered a severe allergic reaction. They are poor and did not know of any options for her situation. She was covered with black paste given to her by the local natural doctor. Her skin was blistered and oozing pus. Her eyes were extremely infected and oozing pus. She had a high fever and was septic upon arrival. We had to work out logistics and find a way to fund her care.
A new Government insurance program for the poor to receive free care had just been instituted, although few knew how it worked or how to obtain a card. We were able to work this out (with a few complications & obstacles) within 24 hours and made the decision to evacuate her by local small boat. We were able to borrow a stretcher from the Convent's clinic and a clinic nurse joined our evacuation. Father Herman was instrumental in helping make this happen. Father Herman was instrumental in helping get the patient the insurance card and work out logistics.
As you can imagine, Bangot's husband was extremely grateful. We transported her by small boat for an hour and then had an ambulance waiting to transfer her to the local small hospital. From this hospital she was transferred via ambulance to Medan, the capitol of Sumatra. The trip to Sumatra took most of the day, approximately 7 hours.
Linley visited Bangot in the hospital 3 days later when she and Miduk were in Medan. She remained very ill, but was receiving care. Her eyes continue to be a concern as they are extremely infected. It is difficult to treat her as she has Stevens Johnson, a form of severe allergic reaction and giving antibiotics can cause further reactions that can be life threatening.
Her skin is blistered and peeling. She looks as if she has been severely burned. Her entire body is involved.
NLLB helped supply assistance in logistics.....medications and medical supplies... nutritional support and drinking water....cleaning supplies and personal care items. AND PRAYER.
Bangot remains in serious condition and requires continued prayer. Her eyes and vision are of great concern at this time.
As of April 30, 2014 that Bangot was sitting in a chair laughing and eating. She continues to recover, while remaining very ill.
Unfortunately on May 2 at 4 a.m. Bangot passed away. It is very sad for her family, but we were able to make sure that she received the medical care she needed.