Neusa came to CEML suffering from chronic pulmonary fibrosis, which made it difficult for her lungs to function properly. As described by Dr. Foster: “She had a deformation in the right ventricle that did not allow the heart valve to allow blood transit through the heart from the right side to the left. This causes pulmonary hypertension.” She suffered from shortness of breath and even a short walk could cause her to feel a sensation of “drowning,” making her faint.

As young as she was, Neusa’s was already too sick for CEML to save her life. “Had that been recognized when she was a 2-year-old and had surgery before all the damage set in she would have been able to live a reasonably long life,” Dr. Foster explained. CEML’s staff worked hard to extend her life.

Neusa required oxygen, but an oxygen concentrator requires electricity to function and her home had no electricity. However, a patient next to Neusa at CEML overheard this problem and informed her husband, who was on Lubango’s electricity board. He took upon himself to have her family’s home wired for electricity and paid for the costs himself.

The oxygen concentrator was also an expensive piece of equipment. Fortunately, at M3 (Mobilizing Medical Missions) had donated money to CEML’s benevolent fund, which was used to purchase the oxygen concentrator for the palliative care team.

With the oxygen concentrator, Neusa was able to return to her home. CEML’s palliative care team continued to visit her, check on her status and comfort her family. Tragically, Neusa passed away about four weeks after leaving CEML.

“If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.” – Romans 14:8