Gene’s angiogram went well yesterday. We had been given the figure of the equivalent of $1,380 US for a package deal for the angiogram including lab work and overnight stay at the hospital. We were surprised and pleased when we received the final bill today and it came to only the equivalent of $883 US. Both cardiologist involved waived their professional fees because we are missionaries.
The angiogram showed only one minor narrowing of an artery. No need for bypass surgery. Consensus of cardiologists is to control the dangerous fast rate with medication and control with a pacemaker the slow rate (which can be made even slower by medication to lower the fast rate). The cardiologists will be getting prices of pacemakers from the two companies that sell them here in the Philippines – St Judes Medical and Medtronic.
So, perhaps within the next couple of weeks Gene will be receiving a pacemaker. Getting to see a doctor including specialists and also scheduling medical procedures happen much faster here than usually happen in the U.S!
However, by the time the doctor gets to you to sign a release and the billing department figures the bill it can take a whole day to get released!
Thanks for praying, and please continue to pray for wisdom in choosing pacemaker and doctor skill in implantation.