Hi All:
Wanted to give you a brief update on several matters. Concerning this recent week of chemotherapy, I am most glad it is finished. Round two will be in 3 weeks again, at least I know what to expect, though that may not necessarily be a great thing. Karen and I got home yesterday and are unpacking by putting anything that doesn’t need washing from one suitcase to another so we don’t forget anything needful, no sense in reinventing the wheel. We will then do round 3 another 3 weeks after that, come home for a week and we are planning on going to Haiti a week after coming back from chemo, to catch up a bit in the office and also let my body recuperate before departure. So far, the side effects have not been fun, but tolerable, but am thankful for the TPN as my capacity to eat more than maybe 20 mouthfuls maximum a day would not keep even a skinny Haitian donkey alive. With all the chemicals and side effects, the fluid intake leaves a bit to be desired, so have restarted my Lactated Ringers during the day. Both the Interferon and the Rintatolomod seem to make me nauseated and I keep my small dishpan around. The nurses and I decided that the small “kidney basins” used by hospitals for the purposes of catching what we bring up are more for show than use, as what comes out of me has enough force to fly in and out of those cute basins without much slowing down.

However, as Dan Boerman put it in his note to us to pass on, it is with a heavy heart that we need to let you know that another vital member of our Haiti team went to glory yesterday, possibly of a heart attack. It hasn’t been that many months since Betty Bellmer passed away and another shock when Lloyd Oosterink, another regular (who also was our cousin) had likely a sudden cardiovascular event and passed away April 1. Marv Owen helped us out time and again with obtaining parts and tools we needed for repairs, equipment, etc, and also he and Sharon repeatedly would relieve Rod and Debbie Wray if they took a vacation or needed to be away from the camp for a bit. Needless to say, he will be sorely missed by us all. Please pray for Sharon, for God’s strength and encouragement during the days, weeks and months ahead as she makes this great adjustment in her life.

I believe that I am not jumping the gun in giving you this update, but I spoke to Dr. William last night and it appears that the staffs of the 20 plus Haitian Socialized Medicine Hospitals (ie, not the private ones, like ours) are meeting with their respective administrative staffs tomorrow (their “Labor Day” is May 1) regarding the government concessions and we are all praying hard that the strike may be lifted. He said that they have had almost 24/7 electricity for the last week, something unheard of, the patients have been flocking to the hospital in droves and they have been taking care of them, though nothing is officially settled, though he is hoping it will be. What the outcome for the time they have missed will be, ie, if they have to repeat the whole year, etc, is anybody’s guess, but will pray that things improve for them and the work situation for the hospital staff and patients, who also suffer from such governmental care that lacks. Please pray that the seemingly positive promised improvements will really be carried out and sustained, especially as elections are scheduled for later this year.

The Grand Rapids based container, sent on August 8, has already arrived and been emptied a couple weeks ago, the IDA one, also 40 foot, is in Port and hopefully will be emptied this week, so pray for Dr. Moise and his staff as he tries to do these extra jobs in addition to being a doctor and the extra work of being my Assistant Medical Director. I am thankful that he has been very faithful in keeping the hospital going this past year despite some extra difficulties, but he also surely needs our prayers for God’s wisdom and enablement to continue to serve Him well there.

In Him, With Thanksgiving and Sadness,

Bill, Karen and The Haiti Team