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His mother visited our studious today to tell us more. She couldn't bring Tarrell because the 6 hour bus ride from Libertad taxes him greatly. We warn you though, the pictures that she brought which show his worsening skin condition are unpleasant - and if you're the squeamish type, you might want to change the channel for about three minutes. Here's the story.

Jules Vasquez, Reporting
We all saw Tarrell Sutherland at the airport nine days ago. Just back from almost four months of treatment in Texas, the 5 year old looked happy and restored. But that upbeat appearance didn't last long; a short time after returning home to Libertad Village, Tarrell's health and wellbeing took a sharp downturn:

Nicole McDougal, Mother
"5 days after we came back then Tarrell start to broke out, he start to blister and this time it's not small blisters, its big blisters and from there it start to have a lot of pus and it start to drain, wetting up all the sheets with blood. He is in a lot of pain, he doesn't want to eat and that is what I am afraid for because he doesn't want to eat any at all."

In short he's fallen back into the hole he was in when he left Belize on March 24th - at that time he had only been home for three weeks - and in that short period, he fell right back into poor health.

And now after nine days at home, it's an awful replay of the same scenario:

Nicole McDougal
"Right back to the same thing, Jules, and even worse you can say because at that time it was just the feet and toes that were swollen. This time it's the legs, hands and the whole body. It's just getting worse."

Worse because the dermatologist who first diagnosed him Dr. Peter Craig says he may have what's known as a MRSA infection:

Nicole McDougal
"Belize have limited medical to treat that type of infection. So Dr. Craig did a culture test hoping that it's not MRSA he have again. Because then it will be a big problem, we don't know how to treat it. Because we can't leave him like that. They always used to tell me that the disease can't kill him but the infection can. It is hard for me to lose my son to an infection when I put in so much work."

So now the family has to figure out what next

Nicole McDougal
"Well I have to decide to take him back to the states. And maybe they can try doing more testing on him. Because maybe something else is wrong with him that we don't know about."

Jules Vasquez
"But how it's looking like? He can't live here and be healthy."

Nicole McDougal
"That's the whole thing. He needs a better climate than heat and maybe even the AC, the AC really helps him a lot. It is a lot of work, Jules, it's a lot. I know that a person can only take so much but I still try to keep my faith and be strong, especially for him who is always fighting to survive. He is a child that is fighting to live. He wants to live. I have to help him do that. If it happens that I can't help him do that then I have to accept everything else, but I will not stop until I believe he be the child he needs to be."

So now the plan for Nicole McDougal and Tarrell is to head back to Texas. They are already in contact with doctors there and must now start another fundraising drive. Those wishing to contribute can do so at Atlantic Bank account number 211057247. You can also call Phone number 668-8604.