Praying for Dou Ge and Cai Ran

I know you're interested in hearing more about the two children I  asked you to pray for last week.  You'll never guess what has happened  in response to your prayers so I'd like  to fill you in.  Please click through to read more and learn how you can help.

Last week I shared with you that Dou Ge, who lives in one of our children's homes and just turned 15 in November,  has a brain tumor (another picture of her above).  On the morning of the 18th she suffered a severe headache  and fell into a temporary coma with paralysis of her limbs.  She was taken to the hospital where MRIs were performed and the 6cm tumor  discovered.   The doctor in Qinghai also noted that she had water  on the brain (possibly because of the tumor) and felt that even with surgery and chemotherapy she had a very slim chance of survival.  They gave her four months to live.

Last week I asked you to pray and I am so excited to share with you that a brain surgeon, Dr. Wong,  read last week's  blog post while on vacation and contacted his colleague at his hospital's neurology department  here in Hong Kong.  Drs. Wong and  Zhu have been in contact with us.  They received copies of Dou Ge's MRIs   and believe there is hope! In Dr. Zhu's opinion the diagnosis is that the tumor is most likely benign and the implication is that prompt surgery may save Dou Ge without the need for further radiotherapy or  chemotherapy.  He also hopes that Dou Ge's hydrocephalus is purely a result of the tumor and will correct itself. If not, then follow-up surgery will be necessary. But the key is to get Dou Ge  into surgery!

This is where I am turning to you for help.  After investigating the alternatives it's been decided to fly Dou Ge to Hong Kong for surgery, along with one of Christian Action's Tibetan - Mandarin interpreters. We have been in contact with the authorities and organized visas. Dou Ge will be in hospital for approximately a  week and will then stay in the Ronald McDonald House during recovery for 2-3 weeks. After the tumour has been removed, it will be examined to make sure it isn't malignant and no further radiotherapy is  needed. The cause of hydrocephalus  will also be determined at that  time.  Can you please help us with meeting these expenses?

The projected budget for the surgery,  transportation, accommodation  and meals is HK $135,000 (US$17,300 or GBP10,750).   Donating is as easy as using  your credit  card and clicking on the Donate button below.  If you are  a UK   taxpayer you may want to donate to Christian Action UK .  If  you are a US taxpayer please visit Friends of Hong Kong Charities, a registered tax-exempt organization in both the United  States and in Hong Kong.  We are one of their supported charities through whom donations can be made  by credit card and cheque.

Thank you,  please feel free to email me with questions - and God  Bless you,

Siew Mei.