While driving on the streets of Port-au-Prince, Haiti one
evening around 6 P.M., pain suddenly gripped Dr. Jean Dorlus in his chest and
arm. He quickly pulled over to the side
of the road. As soon as possible, he
drove himself to a hospital, but they lacked equipment to diagnose him and
suggested he go somewhere else for help.
There was no ambulance to transport him, so he drove himself to a larger
hospital. The doctor he needed would not
be in until morning. Knowing better than
to wait, Jean drove on to a third hospital.
They were closed for reconstruction.
He drove to a fourth, but the gates were closed. Once again, despite his pain, he drove to a
fifth hospital around midnight. Through
blood tests, they confirmed that he had indeed had a heart attack. They gave him medicine and morphine to help
him sleep.
Jean’s doctor warned him that they did not have the resources
in Haiti to discern the cause of his heart attack, and they could only provide
medication, which might not prevent future problems. The doctor counseled, “If you have the means,
go to another country where they can find the problem and fix it. Your choices are get help in another country
or remain as you are and die.”
“I have no insurance.
How can I pay for all of this?” questioned Jean in his mind. Fortunately, Jean serves a God who can do all
things. Mark Lewis asked Haiti
Consortium members who were working with Jean to pray. Jean is an influential Christian leader who
is making a lasting difference in Haiti.
Prayers rose on his behalf from the U.S. and Haiti.
Curt Neff, a missions and community outreach pastor from
Calvary Church in St. Peters, Missouri, talked to his church about helping when
he learned of Jean’s plight. Then, he
called Suzi Mehlig, Senior Benefit Specialist at Mercy Hospital and wife of a
pastor at Calvary. Suzi contacted Chris
Carter, a friend and the Executive Director of Human Resources who was glad to
investigate what Mercy Hospital could do.
Last year, Chris attended a H.R. monthly huddle. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Paul Hintze was the
presenter who talked about an international charity program that
Mercy Hospital offers. Chris put Suzi in
touch with Dr. Hintze, and Suzi obtained an application for Dr. Dorlus. A Mercy Hospital doctor willing to provide
services was still needed. Suzi’s
husband had heart surgery 15 years earlier, and his physician was at Mercy
Hospital. Suzi emailed Dr. Ferrara, and
Dr. Hintze followed up on it. Dr.
Ferrara said he was happy to do anything he could to help. Next, Dr. Hintze presented the need to the
committee at Mercy Hospital, not knowing what, if anything, they would be
willing to do.
The next morning, Dr. Hintze sent an email to Suzi saying
Mercy Hospital had approved all the care for Dr. Dorlus. It was all happening so quickly! Suzi broke down in tears right at her
desk. Co-workers around her asked, “What’s
happening?’ Suzi explained the
incredible blessing and answer to prayer.
Not only was Mercy Hospital willing to help, but they had approved
providing all these services for him.
Suzi was thankful God had opened the door for her to work at Mercy
Hospital where the mission’s statement reads, “As the Sisters of Mercy before
us, we bring to life the healing ministry of Jesus with our compassionate care
and exceptional service.” Suzi pointed out, “This exemplifies exactly who we
say we are. Dr. Dorlus is going to
experience that firsthand.”
Suzi related the story to the Chief of Human Resources
Administration, Cindy Rosburg. Cindy had
tears in her eyes as she shared, “Suzi, I’ve been here for 25 years, and I’ve
never heard of this program. If you had
not spoken to the right people, this probably would not have happened.” Suzi knew, once again, that God was in this
and was excited to play a part in what God was doing.
The story of how the body of Christ came together continued
as Harry and Madalyn Mathis offered to host Dr. Dorlus in their quiet home
while he recovers. They were glad to
partner in this way with the ongoing work in Haiti where their son and daughter-in-law
are missionaries. A retired cardiac
nurse, Bev Cushman from Fellowship Baptist Church, who lives 10 minutes from
the Mathis home volunteered to provide daily follow-up care. Mark Lewis already had plans to be in Haiti,
and he brought Dr. Dorlus back to the U.S. with him.
Dr. Dorlus flew into St. Louis the day before his
appointment where Curt Neff picked him up.
Their dinner plans abruptly changed when Dr. Dorlus started experiencing
chest pains. Curt called Suzi who then met
them at the hospital. An EKG convinced
the doctors Jean needed to remain in the hospital, and Suzi approved his
admittance. After his heart
catherization, they realized he needed quadruple bypass surgery. One main artery was completely blocked and
three other arteries were partially blocked.
Jean, surprised at the extent of his heart problems, told God, “You have
taken me this far. I have to trust you
and keep on going.” Dr. Ronald Cossman, the cardiac surgeon, knows well the
situation in Haiti through his wife who has helped in Haiti, and he was glad to
help.
After surgery, the cardiac team commented that Dr. Dorlus
was a delightful man who had not stopped smiling and thanking God. Jean commented how the Lord is paying for his
surgery through Mercy Hospital who have been helpful and compassionate. He added, “God provides every single day.” He needed care to recuperate after surgery. Speaking of the Mathis and Cushman families,
Jean remarked, “There are two families who are the backbone of my
recovery. God is using them
mightily. God in grace and love provides
people like that.” Mercy physicians comprise a team all working together in
Jean’s recovery. Dr. Czarnik is his
follow up cardiologist, and Dr. Grimes has been providing tests and
x-rays.
The compassion and generosity of Mercy Hospital and the many
Christians who provided care, a humidifier, meals, groceries, finances,
transportation, and friendship add evidence to Jean’s faith in God’s care and
ability to provide future needs. Jean
concludes, “So, I’m alive today.
Certainly God has a purpose for me to be alive.” It will be exciting to witness how God
continues to use Jean’s life and to know how many people are a part of this.
