Sunday Oct. 20th
Sorry to bother all of you on Sunday. I write with a heavy heart. We need you to pray with us for one of our youth named Opio Martin. Right now Josh is driving him, his dad and an uncle to Kampala (six-seven hours away) to be tested for Leukemia or Lymphoma.
Opio has been sick for over two months now. He went from doctor to doctor being diagnosed with Malaria, Typhoid, Brusalosis, and TB. He was loaded with medicines of all kinds. It made us very sad to see him grow weaker and have no answer. We have been praying everyday for him. He would improve a bit then feel sick again.
Yesterday at youth group some of his cousins came to tell us Opio was dying. Of course this brought Lydia to tears and we were all concerned. Josh and I went over to see what was happening. They were now told Opio was poisoned and giving him medicine for that. We were honestly upset by now by all this. He wasn't poisoned yet they were pumping him with more meds. Actually, we thought that maybe all the meds were very much hurting him now. Opio was awake and talked with us. His complaints were weakness and headache. After talking with many people we thought it best to stop all medicine, make sure he drinks and eats small amounts as often as possible, and take him to one doctor in the morning. We all prayed over Opio and went home with heavy hearts. It is so hard to know what to do here and who can we trust medically.
About an hour later the family was calling us to come and take him to the hospital now. Josh took him. The doctor said his red and white blood cells were seriously low (much lower than the lab work the week before) and she thinks it means cancer. This was startling news to all of us. The doctor wanted him to go the next day, today, to Kampala to see the cancer doctors and test for it.
This morning before church and at church we continued to talk with people and the leaders to make a plan. I am so thankful for our church. We stopped the service to explain what was happening and all prayed together. There were many tears during the prayer time. I am so glad I am welcomed with all my tears. It is really hard to see the youth, especially our kids, so sad and worried for their friend.
Our family went with Josh to get Opio. He was so weak today he could hardly talk. I told him how much everyone was praying for him and how much we all love him. His dad cried as I gave him a hug. My kids looked so sad sitting outside waiting. Luka finally broke down a bit in tears. We prayed with Opio and everyone before they went. Malai had a hard time with Josh leaving and is very concerned for him.
Everything just feels heavy, quiet, empty...
Thank you for praying for us and with us for Opio, his family and the youth. We pray they see a wise, caring doctor who can help. We pray for kind nurses to care for them. We pray for the tests to happen tomorrow and to give us clear answers. We pray for a miracle of healing in Opio's body. God is with them and able. We put our trust in Him.
UPDATE Thursday Oct. 24
Thank you everyone for praying with us for Opio. We praise God for the many ways He has and is answering prayers. We know He is the God who heals. We are thankful that Opio's bone marrow test results showed no cancer! However, Opio has Plastic Anemia. This is where his body is not making blood. It is serious but if they can find the reason or cause it can be treated or even stop. One of the causes or plastic anemia is toxic chemicals, infection, or drugs. This makes us think that maybe all the medicines Opio was given really did almost kill him and cause plastic anemia. If that is the reason then being off all the medicines (he has been off since Sunday) he may improve by himself. But we do not yet know the reason or cause so we continue to wait.
Opio's white blood count was down to 780 on Monday. He has now had two blood transfusions.
We are very thankful Opio is showing signs of improvement. He has begun to eat again, he can sit up on his own and even walked yesterday! Sunday and Monday were very long, hard days. Josh almost broke down several times as he saw Opio's condition and the suffering all around him on the cancer floor at the hospital. Josh was relieved when Opio finally smiled at him Monday night. We thank God for kind and wise doctors at the hospital.
It has been an emotional week in many ways and there is so much more to the story. For now we wait to know what is next. We praise God for all He has done and is doing. Josh came home yesterday. Opio, his father and Dan (an uncle) remain in the hospital in Kampala. Keep praying for them and for the cause for this sickness. God will use this for His glory.
Thank you again for all your prayers.
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| This is Opio - always smiling! |
Oct. 31 Update:
Opio and his father and uncle are all back home now. We still don't know the cause of the plastic anemia but it appears Opio's body is beginning to produce blood again. We give God all the credit for the miracle of healing and saving Opio's life! The doctor was talking about treatments, bone marrow transplant in another country, or life long blood transplants. But God has heard our prayers and is healing Opio. May the Lord get all the glory!
This week Josh took Opio to the hospital here to check his blood. His red blood cells are now normal and his white blood cells are almost back to normal (doubled what they were). This is amazing and we are so thankful. The doctor said to check the blood again in two weeks.
We visited Opio yesterday at his home. It was great to see him up and smiling again. He is still gaining strength from months of sickness. I know it will take time. I was worried to see he still sometimes stares off into space. It makes me wonder if there is any long term damage from having so little blood. I hope he will fully recover. His uncle was there and expressed SO much thanks to us for saving Opio's life. He knows how serious it was, that they had nothing to pay, and understands that all the medicines (and bad/false tests and results here) caused all of this. We pray that God uses this to teach many people here. And draws people to also put their trust in God. Opio's uncle is not a Christian so maybe God will speak to him through this.
Nov. 8
Opio is not doing well again. He has been in the hospital since last Thursday. His white blood cell count is down again and he seems to be more out of it, down or something. We are concerned to say the least. The cancer doctor in Kampala wants him to come for the test to see the cause of the plastic anemia but I am not sure he can make it on a seven hour trip at the moment. We are frustrated quite honestly. Are we getting right answers, is he taking more meds again, is there more behind all of this, or is this how it is here?
Ok, so now Opio did make it to Kampala and had the test. We have not been able to talk to the doctor so we don't know the results, but Opio's uncle called and they told him they need 1.5 million ush ($400) to give Opio the treatment he needs. He will need this treatment 6 times in the next six months. Wow. Josh and Grace went to see Opio, his dad and uncle at hospital today. Opio is pretty miserable. He has a fever, he hurts everywhere and is coughing. So hard.
Keep praying!
