jOy!!

Today was an incredible day...not only did Rend Collective (my favorite Christian band) release their third album....

BUT

I met with Milagros and her meeting with the maxo-facial surgeon last week couldn't have gone better.  She brought her blood pressure and blood sugar records from our meetings and he APPROVED her for surgery!!

I attribute her new-found initiative and understanding to your prayers.  So thank you thank you for remembering her!!  If you could continue lifting her up; surgery is scheduled for April 14th.  :)

Milagros and I; you can see the 30mm Parotid gland
tumor on her left cheek

Also, pray for Milagros's continued depression.  I was ecstatic by the surgeon's approval, she however remains skeptical after so many failed surgical attempts previously; understandably so.  I will of course keep you updated!

Milagros, Keep Praying!

"Let them give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love, and His wonderful deeds for mankind."

Psalm 107:15

Thursday as I was loading my car and getting ready to head out to Mata Gorda, I ran into Milagros.  She's back from the capitol, at last!

I must say, my initial reaction was frustration.  Here was this woman who only two months ago was crying out for help, desperately alone and needing her Christian family to surround her; yet when we did it appeared she didn't listen.  Milagros did what she felt best, regardless of the advice of those who know better.  Even when we firmly told her that it would be a waste of time and money to travel to Santo Domingo before her Hypertension and Diabetes were controlled, she went.

And then, in my frustration I started thinking and remembering the missionary training I endured two years ago at MTI and the chapter on "openness" I just finished reading from the book Cross-Cultural Servanthood and a conversation Sissy (the director's wife) and I recently had.  

I am serving in a pleasing culture.  A culture who at times will place themselves in a compromising position to honor relationships and to prevent hurt feelings.

Yes, Milagros took my advice.  And Betsy (the PT).  But, she also is taking the advice of her endocrinologist, cardiologist, gynecologist and facial-maxillary surgeon.  The last thing culturally she would want to do is let any of us down or un-fulfill her commitments.

Taking the advice of a multi-disciplinary team to an American sounds like an intelligent decision.  But, in a place where there is no correspondence between these providers (no progress notes, dictations, phone calls between specialists let alone electronic medical records) this can prove disorderly and detrimental to a patient.  Clearly, conversations need to be had to come together and decide a logical course of action for a case as complicated as Milagros.

And so, with all this in mind we decided to meet on Friday morning.  To say I went into that meeting a bit apprehensive is an understatement.  Milagros had gone to the capital to try and have two surgeries with completely uncontrolled blood pressure and blood sugar, no doctor in their right minds would operate.  She spent what little money she had and once again she missed work.  And, I had only spent three weeks with her which in my experience is not long enough to control her co-morbidities.

Imagine my surprise when I reviewed her medicine and I realized she was taking everything as I had prescribed.  When I asked about her symptoms (headaches, dizziness, pain) she said she felt the best she has in years.  And, when I checked her blood pressure....it was 130/80.  Completely suitable for surgery.

WOW!  Against all odds, Milagros is getting better.

Milagros was doing and listening and learning.  

And for that I thank you and our Lord and Saviour.  Because, trust me when I say this is a miracle.  A feat I was thinking impossible.

So, thank you for lifting her up in prayers and loving her from afar.  And don't stop!

Please, continue to pray for our relationship to grow, with trust and confidence.  That I may continue to be open to any cultural differences.  Pray for tomorrow when I check a fasting glucose and re-check her blood pressure that I can give her surgical clearance.  

And, most importantly, please pray that despite lack of communication between providers, that Milagros's appointment with her facial-maxillary surgeon on Wednesday will be fruitful.  I continue to hope for Milagros's life to be a miracle.  Join me in this petition.