Today is Monday, March 30, one day post-trip. Haven't heard from the rest of the team, but am sure that everyone is happy to be back in their own surroundings again, and able to sleep in their own familiar beds.
This will be a short post to update you on Kanessa's condition. Her problems began on Tuesday of the trip after we had finished bowling with the kids. Her lips began swelling and later her eyes did as well. Her skin looked like she had the hives: red blotches everywhere on her body. The doctor at the orphanage looked at her and gave her Zyrtec to combat what appeared to be an allergic reaction to something she had touched or eaten. It began working and the swelling subsided as well as most of the redness. However, new symptoms appeared as pain in her knees and legs began to get worse and worse, until Friday she could hardly walk or stand. Saturday she was feeling well enough to go to the market for souvenirs, and later wanted to go to Red Square with the rest of the team. She did, but paid a price for it. She hurt so badly that she could hardly walk and Isaac and I had to carry up the stairs from the subway. She did not sleep most of the night because of the pain. Sunday on the trip back home her legs and arms began to swell, especially her feet.
We took her to the ER this morning and the doctor ran blood tests to try and determine what was the cause. The CBC came back normal, and it will take several more days to get the results on the other tests. Until then she is on steroids for the swelling and meds to control the pain. We hope we will know more by the end of the week. The doctor warned us that it's possible we may never know the cause. Right now we're just praying for her to have some relief and a return to normal.
In a day or so I will post more information about the trip itself. Thanks for all your prayers.