So many things have changed since the last
time I wrote (January). I was busy finishing up my time in Corvallis (February)
and then headed back to Latvia.
Two days after arriving in Tilza, I woke up
with my left arm and shoulder hurting so badly that I couldn’t move it or think
of anything else. That was a Saturday and I went to the doctor on Monday. The
things he tried did not help and I ended up in the hospital in Balvi for a
week. There was a great deal of infection and a very large cyst on the back of
my arm. Without going into further details, spent another week in a different
hospital with no release from the pain (especially the shoulder). I then went
to Riga and saw several doctors, had more tests and lots of antibiotics.
Nothing was changing. After an MRI it was determined that I needed surgery so I
felt it best to come back to Corvallis.
I did have surgery at OHSU with an infectious
disease doctor handling my care here in Corvallis. I am feeling much better but
need a good deal of physical therapy. Also my white blood cell count is low and
I will see a hematologist for that.
I am being well cared for by my friends here
in town but the doctors think I should wait until September before going back
to Latvia. Please pray for healing (which I know many of you are already doing)
and patience. The ministry in Tilza has changed and I don’t know what the
future holds for me in Latvia either.
Thank you for your love and concern.
Because
I left Latvia in such a hurry I didn’t go back to Tilza which means my camera
and other important things are still there. Liga has packed up my things and I will decide what to do with them
when I return.