We have received the most tremendous early Christmas gift this year. Connie’s brother, Curt, who has been on a journey of battling cancer, a truly battle-for-life, sent the following message this morning…
I had my three month scan this week and for the first time ever, I’m officially in remission…
I am so grateful for your prayers and support and encouragement through this journey and I do not want to minimize our joy or appreciation. But I have friends who are not so fortunate as I am. One in particular that I went to Haiti with a couple years ago is now in hospice and I can’t imagine what her youngest son, who is my youngest son’s age, is going through. It is a bitter sweet place to be. I have, throughout these couple of years, felt a strong confidence that things would work out. Even the couple times when my oncologist implied that I should make sure my affairs were in order, I was not swayed to think things would be different than they are today. Maybe it is arrogance. Maybe it was faith. Maybe it isn’t over. But today, I just want to offer you my sincerest appreciation and share with you our good news.
Curt and Deanne
No one will ever really know the depth of grace that Deanne has afforded me by being with me at every Dr appointment, every hospital stay, every retching session, Piling blankets on me and holding me while I shook with violent chills, jumping up multiple times in the night to get me a pill or a drink or change the towels from the drenching night sweats. And so much more I don’t even remember from the chemo fog. My kids, Nathan, Danielle & Shad, Mitchell & Heather, and Mac were so strong and helpful with chores around the house and patient with my chemo grumps and quietly helping to keep me comfortable and safe. My father Vernon, often came over to try and help around the farm, and many of you have done things like planting flowers in our front flower boxes while we were gone, placing little plastic army men all over the farm that I am still finding to this day…
I really cannot adequately express what all of your support has meant to me on this journey. To both of us. If I can ever reciprocate in any way, it would please me greatly.
Curt standing in the gap as surrogate grandfather with our only grandchild…baby Noortje.
We are worshiping the Lord this morning in song. “You are good, all the time, all the time, you are good!” You can imagine that we are celebrating in a tremendous way today!
Thank you all for your incredible prayers on behalf of Curt, Deanne, their family and ours. We truly couldn’t be here without you! We are so blessed to have such an incredible prayer team!
It is Sunday morning here in Manila, and we are praising God for the answered prayers on behalf of Roldan. If you’re just joining in on this journey, follow this link for the original posting.
Updates are being added to the bottom of this post. Please scroll down to see the latest updates!
Jam David, his caretaker, advocate, personal nurse, and so much more, has updated us with several highlights.
A type of Incentive Spirometer
24 hours in a Regular Room: During his attending doctor’s rounds, the doctor made Roldan sit up and try breathing without supplemental oxygen. He also asked Roldan to use his IS (Incentive Spirometer – device to help him breath deeply and clear his lungs) more often to exercise his lungs and to prevent pneumonia. With his vital signs stabilizing, the medical team is now expecting him to eat more. His sense of smell and taste is messed up at the moment. His creatinine is good (measurement of kidney function). Still waiting for the rest of the labs to come in. We all need to encourage him and positively push him to do things.. this is where the length of his recuperation lies. It may lengthen or shorten everything. Ricardo is doing great being by his side as you all are too!!
Sunday Morning, I arrived to find him sitting up at the edge of his bed. He wanted to use the wheelchair and the nurse said that this is fine. We set a goal today of using the IS every 2 hours. Yesterday, he used it every 4 hours. That tired feeling plus his chest feels like not doing it is his enemy now…
For a rapid recovery so that he can leave the hospital,
And for his entire care team!
We have been overwhelmed at the outpouring of prayers and encouragement from around the globe. God is answering prayer – and you are a vital part!
16 December 2015
Roldan giving us the grand walking tour of the 3rd floor at Philippine Heart Center on Monday just 5 days post-op!Ministry Team / Caretakers praying over Roldan
It is now Wednesday afternoon in Manila. Just seven days after Roldan had open-heart surgery to replace 2 valves.
We as a ministry team, visited him on Monday, which was 5 days post open-heart surgery, and were amazed as he took us on a short tour of the Philippine Heart Center’s third floor, walking!
We had prayer for him before we left, thanking God for the healing in his body and for the hope he now has.
We just received word a few minutes ago that Roldan’s Cardiologist has visited him and removed the bandages and drain, and has given him the green light to go home.
Ricardo, Roldan and his Cardiologist – Showing his “Battle Wounds” after the all clear to go home!
As Jam, one of his caretakers said, he is now able to plan for the future. What an incredible statement, full of hope and gratitude, seeking what God has for him in all of this.
Please continue to lift him in prayer as he recovers at home and travels back for monitoring of his Coumadin levels, one of the medications he will need to be on for the rest of his life. His recovery has been amazing – thanks to friends like you, across the globe, who have lifted him, the doctors and his team of caretakers to the great physician.
Over the last several months, we have been so very blessed to be part of planting a church in the downtown Makati area of the greater Manila.
We would like to introduce you to one of our newest attenders – Roldan Imbo.
Roldan has been an orphan for many years, living at the Village of Hope. In June of 2015, he began studying under scholarship at the Philippine Missionary Institute, pursuing a Bachelor of Theology / music.
Updates are being added to the end of the story.
The Gencon Makati Church praying for Roldan this past Sunday night.
Over the last few months, Roldan has been on a very difficult journey. In August he was diagnosed with infectious endocarditis, a bacterial infection of the heart valves. It apparently is a result of a reactivation of rheumatic heart disease. In the Philippines, with antibiotic treatment only, it has a mortality rate of around 80%.
During the ensuing treatment, Roldan experienced acute kidney failure and then liver failure. Through much answered prayer Roldan has overcome these obstacles and is now moving towards open heart surgery.
Roldan has truly won the hearts of the medical community. Several of the doctors have provided discounted fees. www.godskids.org has partnered with Village of Hope, and is providing a means for donations. Praise God, the more than $30,000 USD needed for the life-saving, open heart surgery have been raised.
Roldan is scheduled for a tri-valve replacement on Wednesday morning, December 9th, Philippine Time. This will be around 3pm, Tuesday, December 8th, (U.S. Mountain Time).
Would you PLEASE commit to begin earnestly praying for Roldan, for the doctors, for a successful surgery, and recovery. There is much power in prayer – and right now – we need a global prayer team to lift up Roldan, and his family from the Village of Hope!
From left to right – Connie, Roldan, Todd, Pastor Sam Tamayo
*** Tuesday, December 8th, Evening Update
Roldan has been admitted to the hospital for pre-surgery preparations after a very long admission process (he was 21st in line for a room).
There are many key people who are part of this story – one is Ricardo. Ricardo has been part of a training program for young adults who are learning how to give back blessings to the community. He has been actively involved with Village of Hope, often working overtime at his job to fund his involvement with the mission.
Even though Ricardo was scheduled to leave and go on to a career-advancing training program, he postponed his training so that he could stay by Roldan’s side! Whether it be at home, at the hospital, at church, or traveling in-between, you will not find Ricardo far away – a formidable Guardian Angel!
From the people who are physically by Roldan’s side to those who are praying from around the world – everyone is needed! We will continue to keep you posted as the journey continues over the next few days.
Roldan and his Guardian Angel – Ricardo.
*** Wednesday, December 9th, 12 noon update
We have been speaking with Jam (who is a nurse and coordinator at the Village of Hope Orphanage where Roldan has grown up) she is at his bedside around the clock with Ricardo.
This guy’s smile is contagious. He’s a trooper!
Roldan’s Thoracic Surgeon, Dr. Rhonnie Cacas, checking his heart before surgery.
IV line is in, and Roldan is just waiting now.
From Jam: “This is Roldan with his IV line already in. NPO (nothing orally to eat) since 5am. He is hungry but since he is ready, he is keeping it together. Monitoring his sugar too. Labs came in and they are all in the normal ranges! Oh thank God! Hemoglobin, platelet, prothrombin and thrombin time, magnesium, Na, K, Creatinine. Waiting for the orderly to shave his chest, and then it is off to surgery. The large needles for the catheter did concern him, but we are trying to help him keep his mind off of these things.”
Prayer Map of those who are praying from around the World as of noon 12/09.
We are praising God for the number of prayer warriors who are committing to pray: As of noon, Philippine time, there were 480 documented people praying for him from 26 nations. Nations: US, Philippines, Canada, Australia, NewZealand, Mexico, United Kingdom, Thailand, Vietnam, Azerbaijan, Japan, St. Lucia, France, Taiwan, Papua New Guinea, European Union, Indonesia, Northern Marianas, S. Korea, Guam, Singapore, Ghana, Qatar, Uganda, United Arab Emirates.
When Jam shared this with Roldan his response was, “Wow! (in his usual shocked reaction) Too many places!!”
Let’s get a few more places praying for Roldan today!
*** Wednesday, December 9th, 10:30 PM, Philippine Time
Please see this post from the founder of the Village of Hope Orphanage, Jeanette Auxtero Propp.
Thank you Lord for getting Roldan Imbo through his operation! Thank you friends and partners for praying. He just got taken to the recovery room. Please continue to pray that there are no complications and pray for a fast recovery. I can now breathe a little bit. Thank you for being there for Roldan.
The surgeon reported that the tricuspid valve had improved, so they only ended up replacing the Mitral and the Aortic, so only a two valve versus three valve replacement. He will be under observation for the next 24 hours for stroke, aneurysm, etc.
Hundreds are praying for Roldan from the following nations.
Surgical Team
*** Thursday, December 10th, 11:00 AM, Philippine Time
Jam David from Village of Hope shared this great news today!
“He woke up! Smiled, gave us a ‘salute’ sign! – Oh that moment! 14 hours to go (critical post-operative monitoring). Now he feels hungry!
Thanking God also for the worldwide prayer group! (I have seen the update last night!) We can feel your presence from this part of the globe.
We managed to practice signs that he may use while in there if he can’t use his hands and lips. And he remembered! He is recuperating faster than expected, which is a good sign.
SPAGHETTI. That is what he wants to eat when he is able.”
Roldan – photo taken just prior to being wheeled into surgery on Wednesday.
Please continue to keep Roldan, Jam, Ricardo, and the team in your prayers – these are critical hours and days as his body responds to this life-saving but body-traumatic surgery.
*** Thursday, December 10th, 8:00 PM, Philippine Time
Roldan has now passed 24 hours since the heart valve surgery. Jam from Village of Hope, the nurse and caretaker for Roldan, provided this update tonight:
Roldan earlier this year when suffering from liver and kidney failure. He’s come a long way!
“Roldan’s intubation tube is out. They are continuing to keep a close eye on his heart rate because it is still faster than normal, at around 105. He was on Digoxin prior to the surgery (helps make the heart beat stronger and with better rhythm) and his medical team plans to put him back on it while continuing his Penicillin.
The nurse said that they will start him on clear fluids and if his throat can tolerate that, he may have a soft diet soon. He is begging his nurse to give him some pineapple juice – but that will have to wait for now. With the IV pain medication, he is in and out of consciousness.”
We are praising God for the progress so far! Please continue to keep Roldan, in your prayers.
*** Friday, December 11th, 1100 AM, Philippine Time
Jam David
The journey of recovery continues it has now been 38 hours in the Recovery Room. Jam from Village of Hope has been able to be in Roldan’s room, talk with him, and encourage him. She shared this morning that she was able to tell him about all of the people praying for him, he was very encouraged.
Roldan’s heart-shaped pillow.
Roldan’s heart rate is still elevated and he has been afraid to cough because of the pain. He is doing well on his breathing (deep breathing encouraged post surgery). Most of the lines are out. He will need to be transfused with additional blood as his hemoglobin is low. Doctors will also be running a urine culture to check if there is any infection. He will possibly transfer to an ordinary room anytime today.
“I am really thankful for this team…it is big and God made sure that every part has been taken care of. God is awesome!” – Jam David
Please continue to keep Roldan, Jam, Ricardo, the medical teams, and the Village of Hope family in your prayers!
Serving together to bring help, hope, and healing through aviation, so that isolated people are changed by the love of Christ.
Todd & Connie Lou...from Papua New Guinea...to you! 