Cupcakes, Beans & Rice: Sister

Feeling at a loss for words . . . so I log into my blog. Contradictory, I'm aware, but I'm looking for familiarity and comfort, I suppose.

My first contact with Dimitry and Alby and Fondwa, Haiti was Sister Marie Carmelle Voltaire. We met her in Leavenworth, Kansas where she was staying with the Sisters of Charity. She is bigger than life, and "everyone loves (her)."

She runs the clinic where Heart to Heart International visits every Friday. She, along with Sisters Simone, Claudette and Malecia have cared for so many in the orphanage and the guest house in Port-au-Prince. She was a founder of the Fatima Orphanage in Fondwa and worked diligently to have a house built in Thom Gateau for the novices and nuns. She has given much.

Tonight, she was moved to the intensive care unit with severe pneumonia, a positive tuberculosis test (not surprising considering the living conditions and environment of Haiti), and a new diagnosis of liver cancer. She is requiring a lot of oxygen and remains short of breath. She is in much pain and has been started on a PCA, but I don't know if it is enough or even what she is getting. Her prognosis is poor. She is scheduled for a PET scan to assess for metastasis, and a physician has mentioned transfer to KUMC if her diagnosis is operable. If it is not, she will be offered palliative care . . . and will have to decide between staying here and returning to her homeland.

It is beautiful in Fondwa. The mountains and the trees are gorgeous, with steep valleys and ravines that hold the morning fog before the sun burns it away. In Fondwa, the roosters never sleep, and Sister Carmelle loves to hear them "sing." The mornings are cool, and at night, God shows the Sisters each and every one of His stars.

I know my friend is faithful and is certain of her next home after this one on earth, but still, she is scared. The treatment is unknown, and despite being bilingual, a language barrier remains. She is suffering and the prognosis of more pain is frightening. Who will do her work? Who will carry on in her stead? Who will love on everyone and be the mama hen?

Who will we go to for answers? When we ask about information on the boys' backgrounds, we always hear "Sister Carmelle will know." She has contacts, memories, friends and resources.