My wife, M'buti, and I just returned from a three-week trip to Kenya, Africa, her former homeland, but it wasn't a trip for pleasure or fun. Her brother, Keserian, is presently in the hospital, recovering from a lion attack. (He was attacked by a lion while tending to his cattle, and the lion attacked one of the cattle. In his quest to protect the remaining herd, Keserian tried to get the lion, but not before the lion got him first.)
As a result of his injuries, he was in the Intensive Care Ward until last week; he is now in a regular ward; but he still faces a long recovery. He had part of his buttocks bitten off, and he had some nasty scratches and puncture wounds in his legs and on one of his hips; and the doctors aren't sure as to whether he is going to be able to walk again. He has now been in the hospital for a little over a month now, and he still has at least another month to go before he is released to go to the rehabilitation facility.
If he DOES walk again, he may have to walk with the aid of crutches.
For a while, it looked as though Keserian was going to die; in fact, while being treated in the emergency ward, his heart stopped; and they had to "shock" his heart, to try to get it to beating again; and they also had to do CPR on him. He also "coded" while in surgery; but since then, he has not had any more episodes; and he is slowly, but steadily, recovering from his injuries.
M'buti, understandably, is incredibly relieved that her brother is going to be okay; but she is still worried about him. She has already lost her parents, and she has nearly died several times herself; but she has come a long way in her recovering from burns and then necrotizing fasciitis. She still has some problems, though; and now that she is pregnant (we just found out yesterday that she is a month pregnant), she REALLY has to be careful, since she is so high risk.
I am probably going to be watching her like a hawk.
Jubaki went to Africa with us, but he is too young to understand what is going on with his uncle. He only knows that he was hurt, and every day he asks if "Unca' Serian's boo-boos are gettin' better." He is sad that his uncle was hurt, and every day he wants to make him a card, to send to him.
Every day since we have been back Jubaki has been making a card for Uncle Keserian; and every day we give the card to the mailman, "to send to Africa".
While in Africa, Jubaki enjoyed the animals; and he especially enjoyed the cheetahs; but then he remembered "Sayidana", and now he wants to have "Dana" back, as he misses her. (Remember, Ron, my friend, has "Sayidana" at his place.) He also liked spending time with M'buti's friends; and he liked the gifts that they gave to him. He loved Africa, and now he wants to go back. He's been asking, "When Jubaki go Af'ica? Jubaki go Af'ica tomorrow?"
It is so cute listening to him. Jubaki is talking up a storm, but his speech is finally becoming clearer; but, like all two-year-olds', his speech is at times hard to decipher.
I am just relieved that Keserian is getting over his ordeal. It could have easily turned tragic. While he still has a long road ahead of him, he IS getting better, slowly, day by day, and doctors are starting to turn optimistic about his prognosis and outcome.
It is a miracle he even survived the lion attack. Keserian is, most definitely, a lucky fellow.
Poor Buters! Hope things get better...she needs a whole lotta luck! :) Great write, Karen, as always, your stories grab me from the git go and pullll me in...:) TEN!!! :) (((HUGS))) your twinkie, karla. :)
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