Gene had his MRI on Tuesday morning Philippine time. As Gene expected, it showed his head to be absolutely empty. Well, not really, because as amazing as it may seem there is a brain in there. The neurologist says that the issues that the MRI show are not serious and are to be expected at his age of 70. We thank the Lord for this good MRI report.
It appears that the transient ischemic attacks (TIA) took quite a lot out of Gene. The first three days in the hospital he was not allowed out of bed. When he was allowed out of bed on the fourth day and told to exercise he was quite wobbly and slow moving. Now, on the fifth day, we have returned to our NTM guest house, a three hour ride from the city. He is still feeling quite weak and with limbs feeling a little heavy and not quite normally responsive. Please PRAY for soon return of strength and normal responsiveness of limbs.
The problem with his blood not thinning as it should does not appear to be related to the generic Warfarin he has been using as with another brand the blood thinning number actually went down instead of up. After some research on the internet we believe that the Warfarin was being restrained by vitamin K in a pro-biotic he has been taking which he didn’t take in the past. He stopped taking the pro-biotic three days ago, and we’re praying that the Warfarin will now thin his blood properly. Please PRAY with us.
Gene has an appointment on July 8 (should say “we” have an appointment as we’re in this together) with the cardiologist who will insert the pacemaker. Insertion of it is planned for soon after that, but we don’t yet know the date.
When one is a hospital patient here in the Philippines he must have a “watcher.” The watcher stays in the room with him and takes care of his needs. If medicine is prescribed and the hospital pharmacy doesn’t have it then a watcher has to go out and buy it. If the patient needs medical help a watcher calls for or goes and gets a nurse. Gene needed someone with him constantly because if he had a stroke he might not be able to push the call button. It was difficult with just Carol as the watcher. For example, she could only leave the room to fill the water bottles when a nurse came in to check his vital signs. She couldn’t go out to buy her own meals or food to supplement the pretty meager hospital meals provided for Gene. We are very thankful for our family in the Lord here who helped out. Nancy, who with her husband, Bob, were our partners for a time in the tribe rode a bus the three hours to city to stay with us and be a second watcher. Then Steve, a fellow NTM missionary who happened to be in the city, took over for Nancy. Another NTM missionary from the town where our NTM guest house is also offered to come all the way to the city to be a watcher if needed. Isn’t it a blessing to be part of the family of God?
Many thanks to all who have been praying and to those who have also sent encouraging emails.