Ikuku (2004)
- Kent Galloway
- Apr 22, 2021
- 1 min read
An excerpt from "Courage in the Congo: A Doctor's Fight to Save the Pygmies"
Available now on Amazon:
Ikuku, a seventh-grade boy, developed a high temperature, headache, and chills, so I thought he had malaria. I administered a perfusion with quinine, and on Sunday, he felt better, and he did not have a fever. I continued to give him quinine. Later, I went to the home to see him, and he cried out, "boboko" and "lokobo chukani!" (I cannot move my left arm and leg). I examined him, and sure enough, he had partial paralysis.
His temperature hit 104, and he had a severe headache. I thought, "Oh, my God, does he have brain abscess meningitis?" I did a spinal tap and found the tell-tale pus, and the gram stain showed pneumococcus bacteria. I gave him an IV with penicillin every two hours and an IV with chloramphenicol every six hours. It was all I could do since we did not have more potent antibiotics.
On Monday, the boy's condition worsened, and he fell into a coma. In the U.S., doctors would drain the brain abscess, but we had no way to do it here. I gave the boys an update and asked them to pray for Ikuku. On Tuesday, Ikuku woke up, and he recognized me. After several days he sat up, talked, and ate. I believed that his road to recovery had begun. His left arm and leg were still partially paralyzed. Everyone thanked the Lord for healing little Ikuku.
Dr. Jerry in his hut in the village.
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