May 24, 2012
Dear friends,
It has been a few weeks since I have had the opportunity to write. We were very busy moving into the new building. We have seen some good things happen since moving into this building but hopefully I can write about those things at a later date.
For now, I just want to inform you about a situation that began almost 3 weeks ago. I injured my back while shoveling sand in front of our new property. After 4-5 days of severe pain at home I finally decided to go to the hospital. They admitted me for 3 days to get the pain under control. (I won’t bother you with all the details about how they injected me with steroids in the emergency room but apparently did it too fast which caused me to faint, scaring Debbie and every nurse and doctor within sight. I woke up on Debbie’s lap surrounded with the 4-5 other people who had caught me as I went down.)
Two days ago I had an MRI which revealed that I have two excluded herniated discs which has resulted in Sciatica. The doctors here are pushing for surgery. However, I am opting for a type of decompression traction. I am currently under heavy medication (which Debbie claims has made me a bit strange at times) and going to the traction therapy each evening. I sort of wonder if the bouncy Tuk Tuk ride back to the house after the therapy doesn’t maybe undo some of what the therapy tried to accomplish. I am thankful that they actually have this type of technology here in Cambodia.
Sitting in the waiting room of the Calmette government hospital waiting for my MRI was certainly a sad experience. I have spent many many hours at that hospital visiting our people when they were sick or in a traffic accident. This time the role was reversed – I was sitting as the one who was sick. Debbie and I were a bit of a spectacle no doubt, being the only white people within sight. At least we helped provide some temporary entertainment for people who appeared to be totally hopeless.
Please pray that the traction therapy will work and that we will not have to go the surgery route and that we will learn the lessons that God has for us through this circumstance.
Because of God’s grace,
Dave, Debbie, Joshua, Jeremy, and Jason
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