Mission Field:
Tuobodom
Ghana, West Africa
Many of you are probably wondering what is going on with Dona. I have been waiting until all the tests results were in until I wrote. Dona’s pain has been increasing slightly as time goes on. Mornings are the most difficult for her.
On December 14th we had a meeting with Dona’s specialist Dr. Korff to discuss the surgery options. We talked about the different surgeons here in Massachusetts. After discussing these different surgeons, we decided to have the surgery done at Baystate Medical Center. The surgeon is Dr. Nicholas Coe who has performed many surgeries dealing with both the thyroid and parathyroid. We requested a meeting with him to discuss the type of surgery. Dr. Korff said that Dr. Coe usually wanted an ultrasound of the neck done before we went to see him. This was done on the 28th of December.
On January 3rd, we met with Dr. Coe to discuss a plan of care. The ultrasound did not show the parathyroids clearly so he ordered a MIBI scan of the parathyroid. He also did a vitamin D blood test. The scan was scheduled for January 12th.
When the surgeon called to discuss the test results, he said that it looks like the problem is on the left side, which is where a quarter sized nodule is on the thyroid. He would most likely have to remove that nodule (and the half of the thyroid that it is on) so that he could get at the parathyroid and prevent further issue with the nodule. The ultrasound hinted at the possibility of Dona’s parathyroid on the lower right being located inside the thyroid. This happens at times, but Dr. Coe doesn’t feel that that one is the problem. He will check once he is in surgery to be sure if we are concerned. Surgery is now scheduled for February 22nd at 10 am. This will most likely be an overnight stay.
Pray that Dona does not get a cold by that time as they will have to postpone surgery. Recovery will depend on the extent of surgery. With the possibility of having some of the thyroid removed, a time to monitor and find the correct dose of levothyroxine is needed.
All of this is in God’s hands. We have peace about our decision, and are just waiting to return to the work in Ghana.
Thank you for your concern for Dona’s health.
In His Service,
Jim, Dona, and Julia
The Petersons
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Address
P.O. Box 248
Techiman, B/A
Ghana, West Africa
Email
pastorjimpete@yahoo.com
Sending Church
Calvary Baptist Church
413 Main St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
(413) 527-6252
cbceasthampton.com
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