S is for Suffering

Dr. Tshilolo, pediatrician and hematologist, director of Monkole Hospital, D. R. Congo.

December 2, 2002

Tags: Suffering, Sickness, Eucharist, Jesus Christ, Solidarity In Congo, there is a hereditary blood disease that affects close to 2% of newborn babies, which is called Drepanocytic Anemia or Sickle Cell Anemia (SSA). This disease is characterized principally by bouts of pain, severe anemia and serious infections, and has a very high mortality rate, especially among newborns.

Jolie is a seven-year-old orphan who lives with her maternal grandmother. She was sent to Monkole from a dispensary 15 km away. She was writhing in pain, having problems breathing, and crying continually. She was in a bad state. The medical examination revealed that her abdomen was very swollen and that she had a yellow pallor. Her heart was beating quickly but her pulse was weak. The poor child was quite agitated and could hardly bear lying outstretched. After running the necessary tests, the doctors made their diagnosis: a Sickle Cell Anemia child with painful attacks, pericarditis, hemolytic anemia and serious pneumonia.

For me, the SS of SSA reminds me of S for Suffering, and S for Salvation. And Him. “Children. The Sick. — As you write these words, don’t you feel tempted to use capitals? The reason is that in children and in the sick a soul in love sees Him” (The Way 419).

Through hundreds of similar accounts, we are able to encounter Christ passing by in our profession. Often He stops, He looks at me and He speaks to me. One does not discover Him unless one is very close to suffering, especially when it is the suffering of a child. These SSA children are truly a treasure for me: they enable me to sanctify myself, to come very close to Christ in my ordinary life, in the exercise of my profession. The hospital has become another Golgotha through the grace of God, because it is where He calls, where one comes to stand at the foot of His Cross with His mother.

I love these children because they carry the Cross of Jesus Christ in their very blood. That blood which is the source of their pain... throughout their entire bodies. Blood that has made me think of the Blood that the priest raises in the chalice every morning. Blood to which I add the offering of my entire day... “Let us bless pain. Love pain. Sanctify pain... Glorify pain!” (The Way, 208).

The suffering of these children is truly fruitful. Many initiatives are undertaken from Monkole Centre in their favor. It all began with educational activities that were born in a cultural and spiritual context that is profoundly linked to the teachings of Josemaria Escriva.

A study group called the Red Globule Club gathers together about ten doctors who struggle to deepen their understanding of this illness. A postgraduate course in Genetics has been organized in collaboration with university professors and western experts in order to enable local doctors to update their knowledge about this disease. An awareness campaign has been launched in collaboration with a related NGO, and through the Santé Scolaire project, which aims to educate both teachers and students, especially teenagers. Finally, the first neo-natal program to screen for drepanocytosis has been set in motion in Congo. Every effort is made to limit the burden of medical costs on families in a country where there is no form of medical assistance: the consultations, medicine, and all the other medical services are included under the A or social category.

And all of this is taking place in a country which is at war and which is currently suffering serious social and economic difficulties. Difficult moments, even on the personal level, are not lacking. The strength to carry out all of these things cannot but come from pain, from that suffering of the SSA children. Let us bless pain. Love pain. Sanctify pain... Glorify pain!