Watching with Keita

On Sunday I became increasingly worried about Keita who was slipping into a sort of semi slumber at Eva's. I finally called Guida Landouré who came over to take a look and it was decided that he should go to be hospitalised at Point G, the large hospital on the hill overlooking Bamako where we have had so many encounters with his oncologist  Dr Touré over the last seven years. Guida occupies a senior position in the Neurology department so he was able to cut any red tape and  installed us directly but provisionally for the night into  his air conditioned consultation room. I had asked him whether he did not think the time had come to inform his other wife Mai and the rest of his family of the gravity of the situation and this time he agreed.

Keita is receiving transfusions of blood plasma, platelets and concentrated blood around the clock but at the same time this precious life source is escaping from him in an unstoppable nose bleed. He is very tired but  hangs onto life with all his considerable strength. He is slipping in and out of a semi unconscious state, but sometimes he says poignant short sentences which may  be dreams or may be meant to be taken at face value. He suddenly looked at me and said, in Bambara: 'Why do you not have confidence in me?' He never speaks Bambara to me. Did he really mean what he said? Another time he said, again in Bambara: 'We will have to start cultivating on the new land". Which land? He did not say : I take it to be our land in Djenné and it is right we must plant some new mango trees at least.
Keita's numerous Bamako family are now all mobilized- many have given blood  and at any time there is at least three or four cousins and sisters with Keita as well as Mai and myself. He has now been moved into  a new comfortable  VIP room which has  been arranged for him by his family.

Guida has stayed  until midnight both nights and Cheik Oumar, Keitas young nephew has been close by us and stayed the night to help. We continue to hold Keita, try and wipe and stop the blood as best as we can, we pray and they read things from the Koran, while I read the 23rd psalm,  say the Lord's prayer or a Hail Mary or I too join in with

La Ilahai LaLaa
Aish Ha Du Anna Mohammed Rasu Luu Lai  
( There is but one God and Mohammed is his Prophet.)

There seems to be little point of arguing the finer points of religious differences right now...

I have been resting for a few hours at Eva's an will return to Point G now, and this night Mai will also stay by his side.