Hi Friends,
We’re just going to cut to the chase with this update and bring you up to speed with our family’s situation. As some of you are already aware, the health issues that I (Tyler) started dealing with in May have not yet improved. It has been a challenging few months of many questions and few answers—and just lots and lots of sickness. We pursued health care options in-country until it was clear that we needed to look elsewhere. So, upon recommendation from our leadership team, we decided to come to Singapore (which is where we are now) to see a couple specialists. The doctors here have been very helpful (and efficient!) and think that the symptoms I have been dealing with are likely due to a long form of some virus. Potentially Covid but it could be another virus as well. The infectious disease specialist said that what I am dealing with is not unique these days. She has seen a lot of people with the same issues following a 2nd or 3rd Covid infection. Unfortunately, because it’s been 6 months since the onset of symptoms, they don’t think testing will show much (although we are trying anyways just in case).
So, with this working diagnosis, the doctors recommend time away from the field for rest, recovery, and stress reduction. If it is due to a long virus then the recovery time just varies for each person. With the blessing of our church, leadership, families, and coworkers, we are heading home to the States for a few months of rest. As of now, the plan is to spend some time in Florida with my parents followed by a stretch of time in Pennsylvania. I also have an appointment set-up in November with my doctor who helped me years ago with my Lymes disease.
We ask for your prayer for our trip as I have very limited energy, so Allegra has to deal with a lot more than normal. Also for real rest and recovery during this medical leave. The past few months have worn us out in more than just the physical ways and we look forward to a time of focused recouperation so that we can come back to the field at full strength soon.
2 Corinthians 12:9 –
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Bonus Pictures…
