Last night we told you about the plight of Tarrell Sutherland - the five year old with icthyosis. He returned home form Texas last week after three and a half months of intensive treatment. But after just a few days back at his home in Libertad village, the heat and the dust undid all the progress that had been made. Tonight, he is ailing, battling an aggressive, corrosive skin infection. It's gotten so bad that his mother had to bring him in from Libertad to see the doctor. They recommended hospitalization and that's where we found him today.
Jules Vasquez Reporting
When his mother carted him out of the hospital today - Terrell looked very different from when we saw him ten days ago. The smile is gone and in its place is a pained and despairing stare...and when you see his scabbed and infected feet you can understand why. Even moving them causes discomfort and the socks he's wearing can only come off with great, great pain because they are stuck to his foot bottom by puss filled sores. It is unimaginable pain and Doctors says he needs special antibiotics to control the infection
Nicole McDougal, Mother
"Dr. Craig got back the Culture, Tarrell have something similar to the MRSA and it can't be treated with oral medications so he have to het the antibiotics by IV."
Jules Vasquez
"So now he has to be admitted?"
Nicole McDougal, Mother
"He have to be admitted yes. He already asking if he is going home at 6 O'clock. but he have to stay."
Jules Vasquez
"So he will be a few days in the hospital?"
Nicole McDougal, Mother
"He will be here for a few days until when they get the infection under control."
Jules Vasquez
"So how is he doing overall, his health?"
Nicole McDougal, Mother
"Well he is still in pain Jules, he is still weak, he just after something this afternoon and I don't know what will happen to him but I think he will be kind of ok after the antibiotics."
And for this child who has been in and out of hospitals for the last three months getting better - this time he's here because he's gotten so much worse
Jules Vasquez
"10 days home and he is in the hospital."
Nicole McDougal
"No rest Jules, it is always work, work. But as I told you before I will fight to the end with Tarrell."
Jules Vasquez
"Now, you told me that when you came out here for this interview he told you don't be long."
Nicole McDougal
"He tell me don't take long, he said 'Are you going to sat long' and I said I am going to talk to Jules and I am coming back right now. So I can't stay long."
The family is now regrouping to send Tarrell of to Texas for another term of treatment and considering their long term options since obviously he can't live in Belize.
They have already contacted Doctors there who say they are ready to treat Tarrell.
They have started another round of fundraising and you can make your contribution to Atlantic Bank account number 211057247 or call 668-8604.
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