Dear prayer warriors,
After some medical consultations in the end of last year Monica was referred to a surgeon for a fistulectomy. Since Monica has a previous health condition (because of the removal of the brain tumor in 2008), we haven't been able to get health insurance for her. We've been blessed with Christian doctors who have taken care of Monica free of charge, however for her to undergo surgery, we need to pay for the surgical clinic and anesthetist. We tried to save money to pay for her surgery in May, however we had other expenses that did not allow us to save the money needed. After 105 days in Brazil we came back to the USA and Monica was not well, so we went back to the surgeon on Sept 27. The surgeon wanted to do the surgery immediately because Monica had a second fistula and he thought she might have Crohn’s disease. So he scheduled the surgery for Oct 5, so he could do the two fistulectomies and a colonoscopy. Monica got very sick on Sept. 29 with pain all over her body; she stayed in bed and the doctors prescribe pain medicine and antibiotics, however she needed to undergo surgery no matter what.
Monica was supposed to go undergo surgery early Oct 5th and go home the same day, however when the surgeon saw all the infection, he decided that Monica needed to be transferred to the hospital. The surgeon said that he'd never done a fistulectomy with such a degree of infection. He is very concerned and believes Monica will need at least two more surgeries to solve the problem, and her colon needs to be restored. Thank God the colonoscopy did not show any diseases in Monica's intestine. God is good!
Monica was discharged from the hospital on Sunday afternoon, Oct 7, and is in bed at home. The surgical wound has to stay open for drainage to avoid any more infection. Monica will see the surgeon on Wednesday Oct 17! We were blessed with gifts to cover the cost for the surgical center, anesthetist, and colonoscopy, however we don't know how much we'll pay for the days she stayed in the hospital, for all the medications, and possible future surgeries.
Please, pray for Monica’s recovery; we believe in miracles and if it is for God’s honor and glory she will not need any more surgeries. She is very worried that she may lose the school semester, since the surgeon told us that it will take from 6 to 10 weeks to recover from the first surgery and to prepare for the possible second surgery. She has tried to do her school work, however the pain medicine makes her groggy and she cannot concentrate. Please, pray for the boys and me as we try to help Monica and at the same time keep up with our studies.
Praise the Lord with us for Christian doctors who have taken care of Monica, for the gifts that we have received to help pay for the surgery, anesthetist, colonoscopy and for Monica’s life.
Some have asked for our home address in the USA, here it is: 309 West H Street, Elizabethton, TN 37643
Thank you very much for your prayers!
All the time, God is good and He is acing among us!In HIS Love and Service,
Jeff & Monica Fife
Missionaries/Executive Directors
BRAZIL RIVER OF LIFE MINISTRIES
Reaching the Portuguese-Speaking World for Christ!
Evangelism - Dicipleship - New Church Plant
P.O. Box 8262 - Gray - TN 37615
Ph/Fax: 423-543-8061 Mobile:
Skype jeff.fife Facebook: Jeff e Monica Fife
Blog: http://brazilriveroflifeministries.blogspot.com/
