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Wednesday, 12 October 2005 |
Ear, Nose & Throat Surgery
The ENT surgical service was started in 2003 under the leadership of Dr. Joel Anthis, who still directs it. ENT currently shares a clinic building with the eye service, but there are plans to build a separate ENT clinic. Here is the story of one of the patients, as told by Dr. Anthis.
Emmanuel
In early December 2004, Joel got a call from the Nigerian family practice resident on call to come quickly to the hospital. Emmanuel, a homeless young man in his 20’s, was lying in the emergency room. He had been working in a commercial bakery in Jos when an exploding oven sent a scorching hot pipe several inches in diameter and six feet long up through his face including his right jaw, mouth, nose, sinuses, right eye, and forehead.
When Joel arrived in the hospital, he found Emmanuel with the pipe still protruding through his face, and resting on his chest and abdomen where it had caused severe burns. He was conscious and it was obvious the pipe had somehow missed his brain. The hospital staff tells us now that no one thought he could survive such an injury and that he was a lost cause.
 Joel went to work securing a tracheostomy so Emmanuel could breathe, and the Lord mercifully spared his life. Over the next two months Emmanuel lived in our one room, four bed "ICU." He needed intense daily efforts just to maintain his life. He endured daily dressing changes in the operating room, and saw thirty other patients die over the course of his time in the ICU. Death and suffering are so common here. The Anthis family and others prayed every day for the miracle of healing in Emmanuel. The family visited Emmanuel and little Abby sang songs to him. Through prayers and encouragement from Joel and hospital staff, Emmanuel slowly began to heal from the inside out. Though he has endured many large reconstructive operations and has more to come, he now has the joy of the Lord. It is clearly evident on his face. Emmanuel’s presence in the hospital all these many months has been a powerful testimony to all who see him and have heard his story. Most recently, Joel and a visiting oral surgeon reconstructed his jaw, and he is now able to speak through a special valve in his tracheostomy.
More photos of the ENT Service ... click any to enlarge
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Last Updated ( Friday, 28 September 2007 )
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