Medical Evacuation

I just posted this to Facebook that wanted to make sure all of you knew what was going on…

After over 18 years in Papua New Guinea we had our first medical evacuation. Surprisingly I was the one that had to be evacuated. Yesterday it turns out I had a retinal detachment and bleeding in my eye from the tear. I basically lost pretty much all my sight in my left eye. NTMA got me to Cairns Australia by 1 am. We had two hours in a hotel and then flew commercially to Brisbane where there is a retinal specialist. We were able to make it to the doctor in less than 24 hours from the time of the tear. Surgery took place at 1 pm. I’m blown away by technology today. They made three 1 mm incisions in my eye and drained out all the fluid and blood. Then put the retina back in place and filled it with oil to hold it in place. Then they actually stitched the eyeball! If I lived here it would have been filled with gas not oil but then I couldn’t fly for 2 to 8 wks depending on the gas used. Please pray that my eyesight will be restored. The doctor said it was a big mess but he is pretty confident that I got here fast enough to get some/most of my sight back over the next year. In 2 to 4 months I will have to have surgery in DFW to remove the oil.

Zachary graduates from high school tomorrow night without me there. Trusting that the Lord knows what he is doing with His timing.

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Pray for Ned as he is still in Papua New Guinea giving finals, finishing packing and cleaning and getting everyone ready to leave for home assignment without me. I am glad Josiah and Mia are there! It is very sad to be missing graduation. Garrett also had a special promotion and reception today as he finishes 6th grade and heads into Jr. High. Also, pray that I would be able to work out all the details to travel back to the USA with Ned and the kids.

I didn’t want any of the other family members to miss graduation so thankfully one of the Australian nurses in Papua New Guinea agreed to travel with me! She has been a blessing since she knows her way around Brisbane and helps me know what I should be doing – like not eating and drinking in preparation for possible surgery!