Leila and her mom came home with us on November 17th along with 15 prescription medicines to treat AIDS, tuberculosis and a heart problem. Leila's mom signed her over to us without any visible emotion. Leila showed no emotion when her mom left. Sad, we thought.
We grew to love Leila with her silky hair, gentle ways and elfin smile. We noticed she had trouble walking due to pain in her legs and pelvis and back. The doctor commented that she had been really sick. In December she started having stomach pain, so much so that the doctor prescribed a medicine containing phenobarbital. It didn't help much. After another couple of weeks she started having fever every day. We took her to the clinic several times. The doctor came to our house. Tests were run, antibiotics prescribed. Her appetite failed.
On Sunday, January the 9th, she wouldn't even take fluids. The doctor came to the house and sent us to the emergency room. While waiting to be admitted, she died in the nanny's arms. I couldn't believe it when they called me with the news. The doctors were also surprised. The week after her death we learned that Leila's white blood count was only 830. A low normal count is around 4000. Her immune system had failed.
Leila lives with her heavenly Father now. She is free of all pain and sickness. She knows HIS love in a way we back on earth cannot comprehend. I miss her - we all do - but I wouldn't bring her back for anything. Thank you, LORD, for allowing this precious child to be in our lives and for the opportunity to give her unconditional love in her final days on earth.
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