Psalm 116:5
Family and a few others know a fair amount of our recent medical saga; others of you are reading about it here for the first time. To all of you, let me declare:
The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. (Psalm 116:5)
Over the past months (looking back, perhaps up to two years), a number of pesky physical symptoms cropped up for me. Some of them I chalked up to getting older, others perhaps related to my bout with Dengue Fever last spring. Yet after returning here in August, issues with my left hand, left arm and right calf caused me to pursue testing at a local clinic. Ultrasound diagnosis was a blood clot in my leg; no definitive results on my hand and arm. I went on blood thinner injections to treat the clot in my calf, but soon developed worse pain in my thigh. The combination and changing nature of all of this caused us to decide I need to go to the only serious hospital within reach of us here—a mission hospital that is either a seven hour trip by car or 75 minute flight. The mission here (JAARS/SIL) had a flight available on short notice and so on September 9th Heidi and I were flown to Mbingo Baptist Hospital. The facilities don’t look particularly impressive, but the missionary doctors there are outstanding.
After a barrage of blood, ultrasound, x-ray and other tests we are relieved that all the “scary” stuff was ruled out. (The doctor admitted to us as we were leaving that, before all the test results came back, he was quite certain he’d be sending us home for major medical care in the States.) The final verdict is that: 1) I do not have any blood clot; either the Yaoundé clinic’s original diagnosis was wrong or the Lord simply removed it (many people praying!), 2) some of the leg symptoms were actually the result of the blood thinner I was on, and 3) my arm issue is highly unusual, but related to a more common condition the diagnosed in my hand (a tendon-hardening condition, likely Dupuytren’s contracture.) I’m not excited about the progressive nature of this arm/hand issue, but for the moment it is a welcome alternative to cancer or clotting disorders or whatever.
It seems a little odd to take a bunch of pictures while on your way for diagnosis of a potentially serious illness. Still, one has to retain a degree of perspective and humor and trust in the sovereignty of our great God. And besides, the mission hospital is located in some of the most spectacular and unspoiled territory in Cameroon—check out the pictures and note the waterfalls flowing out of rocks and hillsides.
Breathe a sigh of relief with us, and please praise the Lord for his tender mercies. Thank you for your own grace and love to us as well.
Peace—
David & Heidi
