Dear Friends and Family!We would like to update you on our current health situation, so that you can hold us up in prayer…we need that more than anything!
As some of you know, we have no good hospital facilities here on Romblon Island. It’s more of a clinic with limited options. So we get our regular checkups in Manila, about every 3 month.
Recently Karen has had a lot of knee pain and over the last 6-8 month, Patrick has been fatigue and feeling weak. For a long time we chalked it up to age and the heat here. And it slows up down a bit. We finally decided that it was time to see a doctor about these specific symptoms…
After days of sitting at labs and waiting rooms in Manila, we had some diagnosis:
– Karen has the beginnings of osteoarthritis and high blood pressure. She was put on meds for it and is managing it very good.
– Patrick was diagnosed with 3 “diseased” arteries in his heart, whereby the extent of narrowing/ blockage is unknown. So, the options given were: angiogram (to check where and how much disease there is), and after that possibly angioplasty, 1-2 stints, or triple bypass surgery…not very encouraging…
We researched quite a bit and found that doctors are starting to lean away from invasive surgeries and toward change in diet and lifestyle (less stress) for healing. Studies are showing a 50/50 chance of heart attack or death with either choice. Also, one of the brothers at the San Juan assembly managed to REVERSE his blockage of 75%(!) by going on a specific diet. So through prayer, and looking at all our options, we have decided on the less invasive, new diet and lifestyle change approach. So, for about 5-6 weeks have been on a no sugar, low carb, high protein, natural food diet…with loads of veggies and lower sugar fruits. The result is that both of us have normal blood pressure (without meds!), and Patrick has dropped one of his diabetes meds(!) and his blood sugars are normal most days…praise the LORD!
So, please pray for wisdom, perseverance, and strength as we try to get healthier, and, that God would heal us (…for He is Jehovah Rapha! [2Chron. 3:20]) and give us energy to do the work He has called us to do.
Thanks for praying with us and for us!
In Him!
Patrick and Karen
“For the grace of God hath appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us…looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us…” – Titus 2:11-14
