Between a Stone and a Hard Place: An Update on Our Current Situation

 

The flood waters may have receded in Chiang Mai, but the ripples of clean-up and fall-out continue.

Many people have been affected by this crisis in Thailand, and our prayers are with them.  New Family Foundation visited Chiang Rai earlier in these flooding events, to bring water and supplies and encouragement to the people there.  Overall, Thailand has seen an unprecedented amount of rain this season, and the flooding has been severe in many regions across the country.  Lots of people are suffering.

Our focus of late, however, is the overlapping events of both the flood, and Suradet's diagnosis of a kidney stone.  Anyone (myself included) who has experienced the painful and all-consuming symptoms of trying to pass a stone will understand this particular kind of suffering.  For Suradet, however, his discomfort has been elongated by the fact that the procedure that is needed, and that his doctor has put him in line for, requires medical equipment that was damaged in the flood.  [Check it out here for a glimpse into what they are all dealing with at Lana Hospital where our staff health insurance is recognized.]  

Due to the widespread nature of the disruptions, non-urgent cases are being deferred.  This means that an initial visit to Lana Hospital in the first week of October resulted in an appointment for the procedure on October 10.  On October 10 he was told to come back October 17.  On October 17 he was told to come back November 7.

Because Thailand's health care system is largely private, there may (or may not) be an alternative route we can take at another hospital not covered in our insurance, involving cash payments.  However, since the whole of Chiang Mai is affected, it is likely we would be put in a long line there, even if we reallocated the funds.  Also, just to make note of it, there's an ethical piece in that, if we had the money, we'd likely be pushing someone who doesn't have the money further back down the line.  That's how it works.  

Right now we wait.  

Suradet, while uncomfortable in a prolonged kind of way, is not in danger.  And he knows that if the pain becomes unbearable he can go to the secondary hospital.

Against this backdrop is the return of the children from school break on or before October 25.  And then the arrival of our Highview Team - Norma, Cheryl, Evangeline and myself - on October 31.

Yesterday was a difficult day.   The November 7th date was hard to hear.  And we seriously considered cancelling the trip. There were many messages back and forth, and then a Zoom call to be able to see each other's faces and catch the nuances of all our 'big feelings,' as we made some hard decisions together.

In the end, we're still a go.  

The Team members are more than willing to accommodate expectations while there.  We will step up our participation in the general running of that big, wonderful family, and lower our expectations for any outings or extras that are normally part of a Team visit.  Other supplementary help from Bible Students and other friends of NFF have already been brought in to support the care of the children, which remains paramount always.  And of course, we trust that our presence there will encourage and strengthen Suradet in this long ordeal.  As honourary Mom to Suradet, I will go and be with him at the hospital on the day of his procedure....trusting that it will not be put back any further.

So.  Your prayers please.  Of course, we continually bring Suradet before God asking for healing and also patience, and a relieving of the pain while we wait.  For Yupa, and the extra load that she is carrying.  For the children's safe return to Hot Springs and a good start to the next school year.  For the safe travels of our Team.  And for us all to be open to all that the Holy Spirit is bringing to our attention to form us more and more into the likeness of the Son.

Our last post concerning the floods in Chiang Mai had an overwhelming response.

Thank you, everyone who is tuning in, and taking notice, sending extra funds for this, and offering words of support and encouragement.   It all makes a huge difference.