Gene has seen a third cardiologist that another New Tribes missionary has been using. His analysis is similar to Dra Yap’s and in line with the research that Gene has done on medical sites on the internet. This doctor’s explanations were very clear. Because we live in a remote area and do not have ready access to medical help he suggests, as did Dra Yap, that a pacemaker could be a good idea. But, for now, he has prescribed a medication to oxidize the heart. This has worked well for many years for many of his elderly patients with a heart condition similar to Gene’s.
Near the end of February Gene became quite ill with an overgrowth of yeast in his digestive tract. So, since the end of February he has been on a diet with no carbohydrates including any kind of sugar and anything sweet such as fruit or fruit juice so as to starve the yeast. No grains, no yeast, no dairy products. Just meat, chicken, canned tuna, canned salmon, some kinds of vegetables, lots of garlic, and coconut oil. On that diet he has lost about 15 lbs and quite a bit of strength which was not unexpected. Every so often he would try adding a small amount of carbs, but it was not good. However, in the past week or so he has been able to add carbs to his diet little by little and so far is feeling good and rapidly gaining strength. He is now 95% better as a result of the diet he has been on since February. So he will continue to add carbs, slowly and carefully, until back on a more or less regular diet. That should help with his low blood pressure and consequently his heart problem.
Our present plan is that we will return to our tribal village and continue on with our ministry. Gene will take the prescribed medicine daily and continue working back to a regular diet. It will take two or three months to see how well the medication and return to regular diet will work. At the end of that time Gene’s new cardiologist will re-evaluate his heart situation.
Please continue to PRAY for strength and wisdom in the days ahead. We continue to see the Lord going before us and are at peace and confident and that we are on the right path. We are still amazed at the number of people who have sent emails expressing their concern and saying that they are praying for Gene. It is wonderful to be a part of the “body.”