As you will remember, Eddie Bowerman will be coming home from the mission field because an enlarged spleen related to his liver condition. We first thought Eddie and LaRhonda would be coming home in March, but it seems that his condition is such that they more than likely will be coming home in a matter of weeks.

I thought it might be better if you read the information directly from Eddie.

Letter from Eddie:

Hey guys!

I just wanted to update you guys on my health situation.

I have been having problems with hematuria (bleeding into the urine) from the my enlarged spleen (hiperspleenism) for several weeks now. This is from my platelets being so low and I have now lost more than a pint of blood. I saw both my hematologist and gastroenterologist yesterday who concurred that I will need surgery to either destroy part of the spleen (killing off 1/3-2/3 of the spleen) or totally remove it. They are both of the opinion that it is something that should be done before I lose a lot more blood.

My liver specialists told me that he feels that I should consider going ahead and returning to the States and get the procedure done since he prefers that I do the partial splenectomy if possible but that would depend on my Stateside doctor. My hematologist doesn’t even know a doctor here in Panama that does the procedure but said that he would investigate to see, but that probably it would be best to look at my options in the US since I would be doing recovery and everything there.

This is all news to us and not exactly what we were expecting. On a more positive note, my liver function are doing somewhat better which has been great news! PTL! So, LaRhonda and I and our family will discuss this, but if you have some input you would like to give, please do.

A group of Panamanian pastors and leaders came to our house last night to pray for me for God’s healing and to let us know they are with us through this. It was one of the best acts of kindness we have felt during this process. Not to belittle any of the prayers and wonderful sentiments that everyone has expressed, but it was so wonderful to have these men and women of God around us and seeking God’s face with us personally here in our home—it brought home how much a part of Panama we have become and has become part of us.

God bless,

Eddie


I hope you will continue to pray for Eddie, LaRhonda and the kids. This would not be an easy move for a healthy person let alone someone in Eddie's condition. Of course, the news of the move back to the states was sudden, so they are now rushing to get things in order. I hope you will pray for them daily.


Until next time


Don