During March this year, at the Tzu Chi’s pre-medical screening site for its upcoming Free Clinic to be held in Batam, an Indonesia woman came with her 8-month old child who was born with Bladder Exstrophy, a condition where the bladder is essentially inside out and exposed on the outside of the abdomen. As the disorder cannot be treated in the free clinic, arrangement was made for him to be brought to the KK Children and Woman’s Hospital in Singapore for surgery.

On March 4, Alice came with 8-months old Christian to the pre- screening for Tzu Chi’s Medical Mission in Batam.

On March 9, during Tzu Chi’s 9th Medical Mission in Batam, Dr Jacobson together with Tzu Chi volunteers visited Christian at his home.

On July 2, Alice arrived in Singapore with baby Christian in the company of Tzu Chi volunteers.

On July 5, Baby Christian successfully underwent an 8-hours surgery.  Mother Alice was relieved when her child was pushed out of the operating theatre.

The nurses tended to the baby with care after the surgery.

Tears flow happily when Alice was told that the operation was a success.

Tzu Chi volunteers interviewing Dr Jacobson on the surgery.

On July 27, before they return to Batam, Alice and her son came to Jing Si Hall. Alice specifically asked for a bamboo bank so that she could also save any little money she has to help others.

Tzu Chi volunteers in Batam continue with the care and support when the mother and son are back to Batam.

It was a sunny day on July 2, 2007, a group of Tzu Chi volunteers were waiting anxiously among the crowd at the Cruise Terminal in World Trade Centre, Singapore.

“Here they come,” the volunteers were happy when the young Indonesian woman with a baby, accompanied by two Tzu Chi volunteers came through the immigration.

27 years old Alice, with her baby, Christian Natalael arrived in Singapore, and with the assistance of Tzu Chi volunteers, the group proceeded to KK Hospital for admission to prepare the baby for a scheduled surgery three days later.

He is my child, I will never give up hope

Alice lives in Batam with her family.  Her husband works in a shipyard and has a steady income.  The couple already has a son and a daughter when they planned for their 3rd child.  Baby Christian came to the family on December 27, 2006.  The doctor who delivered the baby was hesitant when the mother asked about the sex of the baby.  The doctor told her subsequently that the baby’s sex is not apparent.

Although Alice was puzzled over the doctor’s reply, she was too tired to ask further.  When the nurse brought the baby to her the next day, she unwrapped the towel covering the baby and was shocked to note the lump of blood tissues, the size of a fist that stuck on the baby’s stomach, the baby was normal otherwise. Tears flow from Alice when she saw this.  The baby’s bladder was exposed and urine just flow out from there.  In addition, his pubic bone was also widely separated and he has an outwardly rotated legs.

“The doctor told me that the baby’s condition cannot be treated in Batam in view of the lack of medical facility”, said Alice.  Hence, the couple brought the baby to the hospital in Jakarta soon after birth.  But after examining the baby, the doctors there told her that the baby is too small and requested her to come back six months later. 

“The child is mine; I will never give up no matter what happens.”  Alice is determined to take good care of the baby and hope for the best.

Baby Christian eats and sleeps as normal and grew stronger each day, except for the fact that his urine will discharged directly from his bladder which is exposed outside the body, causing local irritation easily.  Alice has to take extra care using cotton wool instead of diapers, and changed the baby constantly to keep him dry and clean.

Although the baby grew up as normal, Alice and her husband were constantly worried on his future development.  Is he able to walk? Is he able to go to school? What about the huge medical expenses and where are they going to raise the money? 

Tzu Chi volunteers bring hope for the family

A light of hope came to Alice when she heard of Tzu Chi and its Free Clinic in Batam, which has assisted many poor and sufferings.  She also heard of the many serious medical cases that Tzu Chi has assisted for overseas treatment. She found her way to Tzu Chi liaison office in Batam to seek help.  At that time, Tzu Chi has planned for the 9th Medical Mission in Batam.  On March 9, Dr Jacobson, who participated in the Tzu Chi’s Free Clinic, visited the baby at their home together with Tzu Chi volunteers.  After careful examination of the baby, the doctor proposed that the baby be sent to Singapore for further treatment as the condition will required many specialist doctors’ involvement in view of its complexity.

With the assistance of Dr Jacobson and Tzu Chi Singapore Branch, the medical record of Christian was sent to KK Hospital for medical assessment.  Good news eventually arrived and the volunteers started to prepare for the trip for the mother and son.  Dr Jacobson has also successfully helped the family to apply for medical assistance from the KK Outreach to Kids Fund to support the surgery for Christian.   

Pray for the good of my child

After a series of detailed tests, Dr Jacobson together with a number of specialist doctors, perform the surgery on Christian to place the organ back into his body.  They also made a metal support to correct the position of his pubic bones and get his legs back to normal.

The surgery took a long 8 hours, during which time Tzu Chi volunteers were there to comfort Alice and eased her anxiety.  They also brought some Tzu Chi magazines to share with Alice on what Tzu Chi Indonesian Branch has done for the country.  Alice was deeply touched by the stories.  On the day of surgery, she has even gone on a vegetarian diet to pray for the well being of her child and wish that she could also follow the footstep of Tzu Chi volunteers, to help others when she is able to.

Anxiety loomed Alice as the child was pushed out from the operation theatre with tears followed uncontrollably from her eyes.  She hugged the volunteers tightly knowing that her child is finally able to lead life as normal.

Providing company in the long route to recovery

Inside the recovery ward, Alice sat beside baby Christian with a contented smile.  “I felt like I am living in a dream.  I just went to Tzu Chi liaison office in Batam to seek for help and here I am with my child in Singapore for treatment.  The volunteers have really treated me like their own family. I am deeply touched by their care and concern.” She said with tears swelling in her eyes.

During the four weeks when the mother and son were here, Tzu Chi volunteers have been around to offer emotional support for Alice.  Knowing that the mother was here all alone by herself, the medical team in the hospital has also treated them very well.  “I must really thank everyone here for all that they have done for us!” said Alice with contentment.

Baby Christian lies on the bed. Although he has a metal support on his pubic area, he did not cried and made any noise.  The wound from the surgery is also beginning to heal.

Christian is indeed an adorable baby.  When the volunteers played with him, he will start to kick his hands and legs and chuckle happily.  Alice told the volunteers, the baby is easy to care for perhaps he knew that he is different from others.

On July 27, Baby Christian is finally able to go home.  A delighted Dr Jacobson stated that for children with such congenital disorder, they will not be able to lead normal life if not corrected, although the defects are not life threatening.  After the operation, the chance of the baby leading a normal life is pretty high.

However for Christian, this is only the first phase of surgery, he will need to have a second surgery one year later and the road to recovery will need some time.  To Alice and the volunteers, they will be there to accompany Christian in his long route to recovery.