Snapshots over the Week

I had a good week. Though I got off to a slow start I made up for it by the end of the week. 

I had what is probably my last appointment with the plastic surgeon about my facial injuries. They have healed well. Though I have a barely noticeable indentation, it will likely continue to heal over the coming year. In any case, the specialist said I am not a candidate for plastic surgery given underlying health conditions. His statement made me all the more grateful that my face has healed so well. Honestly it looked a fright at the end of September. The difference is like night and day.

The photo below shows the atrium in the Diamond Pavilion of the Vancouver General Hospital where I saw the specialist. I think the ceiling is fabulous. Can you see the stylized canoe, paddler and paddle? A friend joined me as he had an appointment in the same building a few hours after me. We sat and enjoyed a visit over coffee.

 

He has been living downtown near a different hospital over the past months as he has required frequent visits to the hospital. I understand that he will now lose 3 more toes from his right foot after having lost 2 toes about 2 or 3 years ago. Ever since he had the amputation he has had nothing but troubles with his foot and infections in his bone which is why he is now having further amputation. Without it he may lose his entire leg.

The collage below shows some of the street scenes on my walk to the specialist appointment. You can see the day was a bit foggy. We've had a few foggy days this week but the week has ended with beautiful sunshine.

I picked up two new books at the library. Though I have a goal to reduce my reading this year, I find the first months of the year are good for reading when it is still dark and one doesn't have the energy or natural light to do much else like sewing or certain crafts which require light.

I was treated to dinner on Thursday night. I always love a night when I don't have to cook though I still have to do the dishes.

Thank you for stopping by for a visit.

Have a wonderful weekend wherever you are.

Short Break

 

Hi friends,

I'm popping in to let you know I have to take a short break.

The other day while on my way to an errand using the city bus, I was in an accident due to heavy braking by the bus driver. Though I was seated, I went flying across the seats in front of me, smashed my face, not once but twice, into a hard plastic casing. I mostly injured my face, lower neck, right thigh and knee. After a trip to the Emergency Room, I am now recovering at home. 

All should be well, but I;ve been referred to the plastic surgeon due to broken bones in the face and an Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist for an issue in the right ear. They said the bones should heal but the follow up is a proactive measure.  While I was in the hospital I was thanking God that I live in a country where all the testing, medicines and so on are covered by the government and not out of my own pocket (unless you count the taxation of the citizenry that raises the funds to pay for all government expenditures). 

At the ER admittance desk there was signage posting the costs of various medical procedures for those that don't have medical insurance which would mostly apply to foreign visitors. I didn't have time to read it but one item dealing with some kind of heart treatment jumped out at me because the cost was almost $8000 (eight thousand dollars).  It gave me pause and made me appreciate that I don't have to pay for anything hospital; not the CT scan, EKG, oximetry test, blood work, ER bed,  nurse and doctor services, painkillers and a small snack.  The bill would have been substantial even though I was only there for about 5 hours.

Over the many years I've been doing missionary outreach with the very needy in Kenya, I've learned not to take anything for granted and to be grateful for my many blessings.  On that note I want to update briefly about the urgent Kenyan prayer needs.

Pastor Jonah is now at home recovering after spending 5 days and 4 nights in hospital due to the severe reaction to his second Covid jab.  His recovery is slow but steady and it is encouraging that his appetite has returned.  

A few weeks ago I wrote about Pastor Parteleu from a small village north of Nakuru City.  He is of very slender build and has been having a very difficult time keeping food down.  A few weeks ago he travelled to Nakuru for various tests and was hosted by Pastor Jonah.  His return visit was for the purpose of scheduled surgery but he was only able to raise a portion of funds. Since he could not raise the funds, he was given the run around, sent here and there, given a different diagnosis and ultimately he returned home without any resolution.  His situation is very sad but not uncommon in Kenya for those that don't have money for medical care.  This is one of the reasons I now focus on medical needs there despite all the other important needs.  But it is difficult to keep up to all the medical needs due to the high cost and I do not currently have the funds to help Pastor Parteleu.

Last but not least is Livingstone.  The doctor recommended he go to physical therapy to help the healing of his leg. We've managed to send him to a few sessions but he will likely need more.

Please keep these men in your prayers. 

I'll be back to regular blogging after I've recovered a bit.

God bless.

🙏🙏🙏