Waiting, and the accompanying boredom and worry,  is one of the worst parts of the chemo treatment, both for Esther and for the adults who are looking after her. Because Esther speaks no English, Naomi as her guardian and translator was not able to leave Children’s Hospital for almost a week. The best Naomi could manage was dinner in the hospital dining room with Josphat and their friend Mildred. Esther became uncertain and teary even during that brief respite.

Sunday afternoon,  hopes of going “home” to the the Smiths’ house suffered a disappointing setback. Esther’s medical team, concerned about complications from the  last dose of chemo, decided to hold her over Sunday night. But Monday morning at 11 a.m. Esther was cleared for release.

Another “God” moment in a long string of such events surrounding Esther happened Monday. Naomi suffered from a toothache the entire week she was confined to the hospital with Esther. On Monday a call was made to the office of dentist Dr. Tom Black to see about getting Naomi in pro bono.

When Judy Featherston, office manager for Dr. Black, heard the beginning of the story, she stopped the caller in mid-sentence. Judy attends The Rock (Rock Hill Baptist) Church, and had already met Esther. Naomi will be seeing Dr. Black Monday morning.