Medical Attention for the Medical Student
On June 30 at the cardiologist office we received the news that Lucy needs heart surgery.  Seeing that she receives this procedure is foremost in our hearts!  

The long-term treatment for Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome is catheter ablation. This procedure involves inserting a tube (catheter) into an arteries through small cuts near the groin up to the heart area. When the tip reaches into the heart, the small area that is causing the fast heart rate is destroyed and removed.  The Doctor told us this was safe but had very slight risks (0.02%).  After surgery and recovery this will be a complete cure and Lucy can live a healthy, active, normal life.  She can complete her dream to be a doctor in her country. 

Lucy has zero income, James receives only the $300 monthly stipend that is for living expenses and to operate the NHA Compound.  

The Surgery and Hospital Care are not going to be free and NHA has no way to pay for the cost of this procedure.   We must ask you for your help.  

Lucy's story is amazing.  This January we felt an urgency to bring her here to America.  Our intentions was to meet the NHA Board Members in person, receive some leadership training and prepare her for Medical College in Freetown this Fall.  The first application for visa to travel here was rejected by a USA Embassy worker in Freetown.  NHA did what it does so well and worked together to bombard the US Embassy with letters of Support.  A second appointment for visa proved fruitful and she received her visa to travel.  

Last Thursday, At the Morning Mass at St. Simeon Skete, Lucy went forward for Communion and became dizzy and blacked out. We learned that this had been happening for the last few years and Lucy simply continued her studies and dealt privately with each incident.  She is a very strong, dedicated young lady.

At the initial exam, an irregular EKG  was revealed.  An appointment was made with a cardiologist and we received the news of the pending surgery.  Surgery will be July 8.   The procedure can take an hour and half without complications and a bit longer depending on what they see once inside.  After a one day hospital stay and she will be back at the skete to rest and recover.  

This Fall she will be able to fully focus and do her studies free from any heart malfunctions and distractions.  The plans are for her to enter Medical College upon return to Sierra Leone and become our first doctor raised by Nazareth House Apostolate.  It has been difficult to find adequately trained doctors to help in the Village Clinics in the up country of Sierra Leone.  This is the dream Lucy is working so very hard to accomplish.  

Her trip to USA has much divine providential attributes, the very rarely granted travel visa being obtained, the passing out at Mass which enabled us to identify the heart problem, finding the qualified heart surgeon within 38 miles of the skete, everything points to a promising future for Lucy as a NHA Doctor helping the poorest of the poor in Sierra Leone.  Lucy has already been doing her part, her grades are excellent and she has prepared

Please give today to help Lucy pay for her surgery.  

(Note: In the event of an overage of donations after the medical cost are paid the remaining will be used towards Lucy's Schooling, boarding and educational needs.)