Kasih’s Journey

Kasih’s story has gone far and wide this week, with the Adelaide Courier picking Kasih’s story up.  Look out for future posts on that… 

Surgery plans are well underway - Dr Nicole met with Prof David on a quick flyin trip to Adelaide from Christchurch last week - things are on schedule - with Kasih due for surgery just before Christmas on the 23rd.

Originally it was thought she would have had surgery in November, flying home Christmas Eve, but the work required is more complex - so a longer stay for Kasih and her Mum.

Its a long time away from family and friends for the pair of them - and also for Kasih’s Dad and family waiting back at home - its a time of happiness and worry all rolled into one.

Prof David tells us that Kasih will need ongoing support and followup at clinic visits in Indonesia as she grows up into adulthood.  We are working hard to ensure that the funds for this and also for an education fund for Kasih are put in place.  Every dollar that you as Kasih’s supporters have given is precious.  Every person you tell, who helps out in whatever way they can, adds to that.

Please pass Kasih’s story far and wide - together we can not only have her surgery covered, but ensure a strong basis for her future medical and education needs - lets make the biggest difference we can - lets make it lifelong for little Kasih

Blessings

Kasih is doing very well with the tissue expander in place.  Her face looks quite swollen as you can see, but she does not seem overly effected by it - running and playing at the park, and thoroughly enjoying her zoo visit yesterday!!

She does seem to enjoy riding her ‘car’ everywhere!!

Martin took Kasih to the park the other week with Nur.  Kasih apparently is a bit of a ‘petrol head’ - all she wants to do is ride on her little car and run around like a crazy thing!  she is so full of beans!!!

Kasih’s surgery has started!

Kasih has had her first General Anaesthetic, on Tuesday just gone - for the insertion of the Tissue Expander.  She is one step closer to the major surgery.

Martin tells us that Kasih was looking very subdued.  Nur has been up constantly with Kasih, so its been a big few days for her as well.

Nur is going to need all our thoughts and prayers - as she watches her little girl go through this major process.

Please keep Nur and Kasih in your prayers.  We will update you with more as it comes to hand.

Cheers

Lisa

Saturday’s outing:   Kasih and Nur went with Martin and Virginia Gare to Cleland Conservation Park where they had the opportunity to pat and feed kangaroos and koalas.  Kasih was keen to keep feeding the kangaroos even when they were full!! 

The pair have settled in well at the nurses’ quarters, making friends with the three other Indonesian women there.  There is a well-equipped playground in the central courtyard of the hospital, a minute’s walk from their room - Kasih loves playing on the equipment there!!

(excerpt from email: Martin, Adelaide)

It’s been a huge week for Kasih, but she’s really taken things in stride with her usual “fearless” manner!

This week Kasih has seen:
- the Ophthalmologist (Eye docs),
- Orthodontist and Paediatric dentist,
- Nutritionist,
- Social worker and of course
- Prof David, Plastic surgeon.

In addition she has had x-rays and been to “digital media” for pictures that will help the surgeons map out her surgery and reconstruction.

Next week Kasih’s ENT & Paediatrician assessments are done, and then its time for the first General Anaesthetic for her CT scans to be taken.

Saturday 11th October is the big planning day:  Kasih’s multidisciplinary medical team will meet for the first time to collate their notes, coordinate her procedures and finally schedule her theatre dates. 

First on the surgery list is Kasih’s “tissue expander” insertion (see our post on May 18 for description) pencilled in for the 21st October.

Please pray for Kasih and Nur, especially on Thursday as Kasih has her first ‘procedure’ and general aneasthetic … the whole process now becomes very real!

love Nicole

Kasih seems to be taking the trip all in stride!  Martin has been arranging some of the necessities we take for granted for Kasih and Nur:  stroller for Kasih, a prepaid mobile so Nur has some way to contact her support crew if she needs to… simple stuff

Martin got the pram today, but as he wrote in his email:

“We have given them a new pram but Kasih seems much keener to push it around than actually ride in it! “ 

These are a great few days for Kasih - things are going to get a lot tougher for her, she will need all our prayers and support - its a very big ride she is taking…. and tests and stuff start tomorrow.

Please keep Kasih in your thoughts and prayers.

Lisa

Nur and Kasih have taken an amazing journey.  Adelaide is so far removed from their daily reality that it has been an very big change for Nur.  Kasih of course being a toddler seems to be taking it all in stride!!! Read more

Kasih has arrived in Adelaide!

This is an excerpt from email from Martin Gare - Nurlaila and Kasih’s escort from Duma through to Adelaide over the last few days…. (pictured above at Adelaide Airport with Kasih and Nur)
His email is written on Thursday 25th September:

Read more

Less than 3 weeks until Kasih starts her journey - all is in progress and going well - the team on the ground in Adelaide have rallied and volunteers and helpers are waiting now on Kasih’s arrival.

The hospital team is planned and waiting.

Flights are booked… its all a ‘go’ Read more