At 7:30 GMT, BBC Network Africa comes on my short wave radio. It features, as part of its program structure, Wise Word of the Day, which is contributed to by listeners from all over the reaches of the airwaves. At the Ganta Hospital Operating Room, I’ve heard of some “wise words” that were both funny at that moment and insightful in a bigger sense.

I was called to do an emergency Caesarean section on a woman who had prolonged labor. The baby just wasn't able to pass normally through the birth canal. It was a natural, expected and welcome sound to hear the first cry of the baby. But this baby wasn't just crying, he was bawling! The nurse-anesthetist, Saye Waylaun, said aloud, "Welcome to the world, brother. You have joined the struggle." After the operation I went to check on the baby who was continuously bawling. "Hey, what’s wrong baby?” I said. The midwife who was doing the umbilical cord care chimed in and started reassuring the newborn babe. "Don’t cry so, its going to be all right. You can make it. It’s not hard. Life is not hard. You will make it. Don’t cry." It’s wonderful to witness demonstrations of kindness.

Wednesday Chapel service is when people give their testimonies. It’s very common to hear Liberians thanking God for being “able to see this day” or “to be counted among the living.” After years of civil conflict and the ever present threat of diseases, Liberians are often heard to say, "It’s not easy-oh!" It is true, life here is not easy.

One Friday evening I got a call from another doctor informing me that there’s a one-day-old girl, born without an anus, and asked if I can operate. Tricky! I would love to do it; I was trained to make holes. But the procedure itself is not the most important thing. It is the pre-operative preparation, anesthesia management and post-operative care. I argued with myself—if we don’t operate the baby dies. If we operate, at least we give her a chance to life. This hospital has not managed a neonatal operation before. In fact, this will be the second case since I came here. We explained the risks to the family and they agreed. Saturday morning we brought her to the OR. The operation took less than an hour; the defect was simple so I was able to make a hole in the appropriate place. Rev. Kathy and Dr. Daniel Dickriede, UMVIM missionaries from the East Ohio conference, were visiting at that time and were present inside the OR giving me prayer and moral support. Rev. Kathy also took pictures and video recorded the operation which I hope to upload if I know how. For now I can only send one picture. We were rejoicing when we saw the rushing poop. But our rejoicing was short lived; the baby died that same night. Should we stop trying and just be resigned to the fact that this county cannot handle the simplest neonatal surgery? Should I start pointing fingers? Rev. Kathy asked me how I deal with my loss (es). That Sunday I sat in church alone in the midst of worshippers, away from them who know me personally, and I cry to God. I thank God for sending these two friends to help me process grief.

I am reading a book written by a Pediatrician turned Psycho Oncologist (Kitchen Table Wisdom by Rachel Naomi Remen). She talks about us doctors being trained to deal with loss “with strength.” We are to show that we are in control of the situation and not show tears—tears being a sign of weakness. It is true—it’s not a formal training but I sort of learned it. Maybe not well enough because I still cry. But another unofficial motto is “on to the next.” You can’t dwell on one patient because there are others waiting. So on to the next we shall go.

I have a 13-year-old boy who came with a big wound behind his right knee. It was bleeding so profusely that his blood pressure was dropping. I was just starting a big case so this boy had to wait while the bleeding area was controlled by surgical clamps. Finally, I was able to assess him. I alerted the OR staff that it was a possible vessel injury. (Popliteal artery and vein running behind the knee.) The story was that he fell onto a blade and sustained the cut. Months before a covenant supporter from Fulks Run, VA sent her father's left-over medicine here hoping it might be of help. It was Heparin, a blood thinner to prevent clotting. It is not available in the whole of Liberia. Although Heparin has lots of uses in surgery, I never thought I could actually use it! Indeed, both artery and vein were completely cut and we had to join it back together (anastomosis) and the big nerves were damaged too. Prayers goes to this boy because if the anastomosis doesn’t work, or our timing was late than the muscle damage setting in, he is going to lose his leg. After the operation, his right leg remained colder than the left leg and I can’t feel a pulse….waiting and more prayers: For two days now, the leg is showing signs of surviving; it is warm, pink and not swelling up. Saye the anesthetist told me that he prays God will bless me and the boy. The real story was that the stepfather of the boy threw a just-sharpened blade while trying to get hold of the boy. The blade hit the boy’s leg causing the cut. Life is not easy! There is no law on domestic abuse here, no family court or social service. The police don’t interfere with domestic disputes, and there’s not even a complaint from the mother.

Now I'm not saying that you should send your unused medicine here. What I am saying is that we need to be sensitive to what the Holy Spirit prompts us to do and then to obey. In this week’s Lectionary Old Testament reading (Exodus 1), the two Egyptian midwives weren’t asked to become something that they weren’t in order to make a difference. Shiprah and Puah have encouraged me today to just carry on with what God wants me to do. Death or life, God will grant that and it’s not for me to decide. I can cry all I need, for He loves me enough to record it and keep it in a bottle (Psalms 56:8 KJV). And don't you go worrying about me. God is giving me more than enough reason to laugh. I was seriously planning to have my hair plaid like the African braid. You know how my hair gets the brunt of my distress. But the braiders don’t want to do it and my friend strongly opposed it. So I will just color-streak my hair red. It’s the only color available here anyway. Something to look forward to!

Thank you for standing behind me and kneeling for me. I really appreciate your partnership.

•       Please pray for the boy, that he might keep his leg and that he will not suffer more from the stepfather.

•        Pray that we will be able to help newborn babies with simple birth defects. May we become better equipped to care for them.

•        Pray for our plan to renovate the Operating Room after the rainy season. The roof is leaking and the ceiling is termite infested (also by rats & birds). Pray about how you can help us bring this about.

•       Pray for peace in Liberia. There will be a Referendum on August 24, and a national election in either October or November.

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e-musing May-June 2011 

Doctors make the worst patients.  And I am no exception.  I thought of myself as being quick and decisive.  But I was wrong.  (Again!)  My insides are hurting, my muscles are sore and I'm feeling really tired.  At the beginning I had dismissed these as just stress-related.  But the pain is real and persistent.  You think I would go straight to the lab for some tests?  I self medicated with antibiotic.  When it wasn’t working, I was convinced I should go for a malaria test.  I almost went.  But I was afraid to find out if I have malaria- not when I’m taking prophylaxis tablets.  I don’t want to be proven wrong.  Dumb, really!

 It’s always been busy here.  May passed by so quickly and significantly.  My sister came for a very short visit, basically to bring our mother back to the Philippines.  Thankfully, my good friend visited at a very opportune time.  As always, babies are steadily being delivered, not so many sets of twins as March though.  There also had been a series of bereavements.  In one funeral service, it took me awhile to adjust to the different way of going about the service.  There was a person acting like she is off her senses, talking about the dead at the top of her voice.  True or made up stories - people were laughing.  And at the same time there's blaring music and dancing.  What went on in that funeral is a bit confusing to me.

 During the course of all these comings and goings, there were 59 operated cases performed.  Too many! As was the situation in Nepal, we do what we can when we feel confident to do it (or we feel we can help).  There was a 3-day-old boy who was born with his urinary bladder exposed in his abdominal wall.  Risk over benefit, with the parents' consent we went ahead.  Successful operation, dead patient!  Makes the surgeon very weak!

 You know I’m also the so-so bone doctor here.  The usual practice here is to bring the closed fractures (broken bones without open wound) to the bush doctor.  If there’s a wound the patient [comes to our hospital and] gets several doses of antibiotic after debridement (removing dirt & dead tissues), then will go home against [our] advice to go to the bush.  In times when the bush doctor fails, Dr. Elma returns.  Ta-dah!  Amputation time.....I’m not kidding.  You can smell them a mile away!  Last December I brought with me two pieces of [medical] gigli saw wires for amputation.  Both have been broken since April.  I said no more amputation until I get my new wires.  That can’t be because there’s sure to be one or two [surgeries] every month.  I could have insisted I’d only use gigli wire - it’s easier and cleaner to use.  I finish much quicker with less strength required.  But we had to use what is available.  See the picture for yourself!’  I hope you can see the (sterile) rust.  This patient has gone home.  I thought it’s a wood saw but John Veazey, [my e-musings helper,] identified it as a common hacksaw, used to cut metal bolts, tubing, etc.  Among surgeons, we sort of joke about the Orthopedic surgeons' work as like carpentry.  Naturally, I didn’t want to actually be a 'carpenter-surgeon', but there’s no escaping it.  First the Black & Decker drill, now a hacksaw! What’s next????

 Back to my malaria saga!  I finally went to the lab.  I tested negative and was disappointed.  What is wrong???  After consulting a Liberian MD (therefore an expert in Malaria), I was advised to start treatment anyway.  He says its sub clinical malaria.  The tablet taste awful and it’s giving me gastritis!  I’m being a baby - a baby with no mother, huhuhuhu.  I'll get over this, and I, myself, will be wiser.  Now I can really suffer with my patients!  Thank you very much.  I am confident that you pray for us.  God bless you more!

Sent from Dok Elma's iPod Ganta United Methodist Hospital Nimba County, Liberia (West Africa) Mobile- +00231 880673586 

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Dok Elma’s E-musing April 2011

           April Fool's Day, how did it start and where was its origin? The answer from my web search was unsatisfactory- its beginning is lost in confusion and somehow pranksters or just plain, fun-loving people celebrated it.

April 1st, I was designated as Acting CMO (Chief Medical Officer) because Dr. Willicor is taking his month-long vacation leave.  I knew the challenge was even greater than just being the surgeon. My first act as the CMO was to buy cleaning supplies! Yes- soap, Clorox, disinfectant solution and isopropyl alcohol. Was that really part of my job?  NO, but I don’t want to work in a dirty, smelly place. And I can’t (won’t) wait until the hospital provides us our supply, it might take days. It’s the same with surgical gloves, sutures, tubes and catheters. 

Then, there were staffing issues that needed resolving. And so I asked myself was I an April Fool? I really don’t need more work or responsibility.

I did encourage Dr. Willicor to have his vacation- he hasn’t had one since he joined the hospital in 2000. I have enlisted the help of Dr. Ron Deirwechter from Iowa. Dr. Ron first came to Liberia in the 60’s, fresh out of med school. He has worked in different countries. In fact, we first met in Kathmandu in 2001 while I was still in language school and he was on his way to Okhaldungha Hospital northeast of Nepal. Imagine how surprised we were when we met here last October. Before he left, he told me that if I needed help, that I’m to give him sufficient time to prepare. I did send smoke signals and he came- not empty handed.

Looking at Dr. Ron, I can’t help asking what people might be thinking of him.  Not just from his home but also here. Dr. Ron is 76 yrs old, a grandfather, a husband, a retired surgeon, has a farm, and has Parkinson's disease. Is he another fool to be traveling across the globe to help out here for six weeks?  Maybe not a fool but some people would think that he could have a nice holiday somewhere. This man, an old papa, has blessed this hospital in so many wonderful ways. He has blessed me! Aside from being a doctor, he is also an expert mechanic. 

He brought his tools and gadgets. He spends all his spare time outside the Operating Room repairing broken equipment. Because of him, I now use an electrocautery machine to lessen blood loss during surgery. The overhead Operating Room light that never worked, I now enjoy. I complained about burned-out machines because of confusing outlets for 220 v and 110 v- he corrected the problem with several well marked outlets! (photo of Dr. Ron holding the overhead PR light, the power outlets are behind him.) The best of all, I have someone I can discuss patients with, and we both work through the OR list quickly and smoothly. No hassle! He doesn't sing though, I haven’t heard him yet. Pity.

Why am I going on about Dr. Ron? Because I’m so encouraged by his life. 

When I became a general surgeon in 2000, I told myself I’m giving 10 years to become rich and famous, and then I will retire. I have long abandoned that 'rich and famous' dream, and to stop after 10 years will just be a waste of God's gift. Recall the parable of the talents- use it or lose it.  Dr. Ron has encouraged me and I hope you too will be encouraged.  It’s never too late to serve, no work too menial nor talent that’s not useable. Don’t you want to hear God tell you, "Well done! Good and faithful servant."  I do.

As for hospital work, the load remains heavy. But God sends lots of help: Friends visiting, medical professionals planning to come, and supplies that are refilled in God's time. There are two MDs from Congo whom the hospital will employ. Pray that their arrangements will be quick and their transition smooth.  The Ivory Coast crisis continues despite former President Gbagbo's capture. We continue to get refugee patients. 

Please pray for the Ivorians, their situation is dire. With so many nations needing help, Ivory Coast seems to be at the bottom of the list. I need an instrument for amputation, the one I bought last October broke- too many limbs severed. Please pray for a reliable channel to get it to here. There are four ward nurses with Malaria; snakes and scorpions are coming out- please pray for protection. 

Praise God for Dr. Ron and his very productive life. Please pray for his trip home on May 1.  I pray that we all have a meaningful Lent and that We will truly experience and live out Christ's Easter victory.

Sent from Dok Elma's iPod

Ganta United Methodist Hospital

Nimba County, Liberia (West Africa)

Mobile-  +00231 880673586

February seems to be productive in different ways. The Annual Conference has been successfully held here in Ganta, with around 15,000 attendees and guests from United Methodist Churches from other West African countries and the US. I can only attend the morning Bible Studies which were excellently led by Rev. & Rev. Crissman of NC. At that time I was wondering if the sheep ever think about other things when they are in green pastures and still waters. Next day I listened to the Crissmans’ discuss about us followers of Christ being both sheep and shepherd. God is always full of surprises. I also met the Liberian President Helen Johnson Sirleaf, who came not as president but as a United Methodist.

This month also the 1st doctor, Dr Willicor, went to Kenya for his personal medical concerns and I was left alone. We had to stop elective (non emergency) cases because it is next to impossible for one MD to run this 150-bed hospital. Still I have operated on 115 patients, of which 19 were Ceasarian deliveries. This prayer bulletin was weeks in the making, therefore delayed in coming. Dr Willicor has arrived back in Liberia but from the airport he proceeded to be admitted to a nearby hospital.

It seems to be a season for twins because in a span of 1 week I delivered 3 sets (Ed note: picture not available). This is my first time to welcome to the world these many twins. Last January there were 9 sets of twins! All of them are strong and well. Much as I am awed by these, I am exhausted, needing sleep and feeling restless. Coloring my hair didn’t occur to me but I keep getting olfactory hallucinations- instead of fuel, I smelt of 'tocino' (processed, salty- sweet pork). Maybe I should just color my hair before I start seeing things! Toward the last week relief came and I was able to get my 8 hours of sleep. One Liberian doctor was gracious to do alternate 1 week- straight night calls. And as the number of done cases increase, the complications also increase. These problematic patients drain my energy faster than being on my feet all day. During one procedure, I punctured myself really bad when the suture needle went straight into my finger. I have started taking HIV prophylaxis and so far no untoward side effects.

 Please pray for OR team, our patients and us doctors. Extra prayers for Dr Willicor- for correct diagnosis to his illness and healing.

There has been a steady stream of Ivorian refugees brought here for medical care but thankfully only one old woman who is a direct war casualty. She was running away from the fighting when a big branch fell and hit her right thigh breaking her femur. Well I would like to tell you of a 26 year old Ivorian man who had a chronic ulcer on his right leg. Iric has been brought to different bush doctors, clinics and hospitals in his country. But the progress he had was from an ulcer of the right leg to swollen leg; to black, dry gangrene of the right foot; to weeping, foul smelling right lower extremity. They got to the border and were brought here by an NGO (Non Government Organization). By the time I got him my only option was to do an AKA (above knee amputation). I did just that after meeting with the mother and the patient. Iric's mom comes to our chapel service every morning.  The first few days she was requesting prayers for strength and guidance. Then later on she praised God for Iric's recovery. She even brings other patients’ relatives to the chapel service, giving witness to God's faithfulness and encouraging others to trust in Him. Iric remains in good spirit and keeps a happy outlook. After 3 months, he will be ready for prosthesis fitting. Let’s pray that something will be available at the right time.

War is always devastating. Continue praying for Ivory Coast, and the Arab countries especially Libya. My heart broke when I heard over BBC short wave a Libyan man who recounted their ordeal. I imagine running towards an ambulance hoping to get medical help, only to find that the ambulance carried armed men with orders to kill.  Please Lord intervene quickly for all the oppressed.

I'd like to remind you that friends at Ridgecrest UMC are helping me to get this prayer bulletin to you. (Thank you John Veazey and Laura Miller) You can directly email me dokelma@yahoo.com or Facebook or call me +231-880 673586 (EST +5hrs) Thank you for all your love and prayers.

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Dok Elma’s E-musing January 2011

New year, new beginning! A lot of people, especially us Asians, believe that decisions and actions set the direction for the rest of the year. I like January because it’s my period of assessment and planning. No, you did not hear from me last month because I wasn’t able to compose my prayer bulletin. I was home for 2.5 weeks and returned to Liberia Dec 16, with my mother! Yes, she is here. She enjoyed the long travel though confessed feeling as though we won’t ever get to Ganta. What with 27 Hours of flying through 5 countries then 5 Hours on rough roads. She always thanks God and me for the opportunity of being with people she prays for using the UMW Prayer Calendar. She keeps busy looking for small work she can help at the mission, like scrub-cleaning all signboards. She has begun her ministry with the people she encounters by praying with and laying hands on them. But her main task is keeping me clean and fed. As for me, it is good to have my mother here. I have somebody to talk with at the close of day. It has been extra difficult since returning.

At the close of 2010, we here were praying for the country of Guinea because of danger of post election violence developing into civil war. Ganta hospital is just 15 minutes from the Guinea border and war or not we get Guinean patients. Praise God the situation was resolved and peace restored.

Now it’s another neighbor on the verge of civil war. Ivory Coast is 2.5 hours away and the Liberia border towns have had refugees crossing over since the start of 2011. Of last report there are 5000 Ivorian refugees registered. I was a member of the reconnaissance group from Ganta that went to the border to assess the health facility from the border to us. This is in preparation for an escalation.   There were at least 4 small health clinics manned by nurses along the main road and Ganta hospital is the only and nearest hospital with the capability of receiving spill-over casualties. We have put together an emergency plan. Although the media reports have not been encouraging, we continue to pray for peaceful resolution. Understandably, Liberians are wary of rumors of wars because their own country has been ravaged by several civil wars. As if our present workload isn’t heavy, we prepare to receive more.

Monday, Jan 17, I had a long OR list (11 cases operated) by the afternoon I was already planning on how I can manage Tuesday. There was to be 5 scheduled cases and it was my out-patient clinic day. I was the only doctor in the hospital for 4 days. By Tuesday morning I have developed some kind of plan. But God had a better plan. In His perfect time, He sent a group from Ohio. Late Monday night UM Pastor Cathy Dekreide, husband Daniel and 2 medical students arrived. They minister in another mission point in southeastern Liberia. Daniel is a Medical doctor who worked here 2 years ago. And seeing the need, he immediately filled in and took the out-patient clinic duty! I was able to do 9 operations that day. One of the medical students was tailing me and was exposed to a lot of medical mission stuff. Pray with me that she will keep a heart for mission burning in her. But isn't God great? The "11:59" God- His help is never late.

Till next time, Elma 

In the candle-lit bathroom I was sitting like a queen when saw something black moving. I calmly went out and asked my fellow missionary, "what kind of spiders should I be worried about here in Africa?”.  Of course they got all excited and decided to kill it. Kill it, but document the big hairy visitor first. This was my first night in Ganta. Good thing I’m not afraid of spiders, only frogs!

I have a 16 y/o girl who came in because she can’t breathe well, when she eats she feels nauseous, her legs are getting fatter. Ohh, her tummy is growing too.  Clearly she doesn’t need surgery but what’s making her swell?  Praise God for the donor of the portable ultrasound. Yes, I need to learn how to use this too.  I did a quick scan to make sure there isn’t a tumor, then stuck a needle in to drain fluid from her abdomen (paracentesis).  

We drained 3.2 liters intermittently and she is feeling so much better. But I needed to explain to her and her family that this is a temporary measure, that she needs to eat well and fight whatever is destroying her liver. She appreciates your prayers. Part of my preparation in coming here is taking anti-malarial tablets 2 weeks before arrival, and make sure I have my own supply to last for a year. Malaria here is no joke. It’s the kind that is not killed easily and it goes straight to your brain. And I thought HIV was my problem.

Ganta United Methodist Hospital is a 150 bed capacity hospital that serves as a referral center for other hospitals nearby and from Guinea.  There are 4 doctors -  a Liberian GP/surgeon, a Congolese obstetrician,  a Liberian eye doctor and me. Electricity is run by generators, there is no running water and no telephones - only mobile phones. But there is internet!

Of the very short time that I’ve been here I have repaired 5 hernias, delivered by C-section a baby girl, amputated a leg, dealt with an ectopic pregnancy and perforated intestine due to Typhoid, and the usual appendicitis.  By the way, I function as GP here and you must pray for me on this. This is new to me.  

With all the patients that I have opened, I noted they all have big liver and spleen.  This is again due to malaria!  From birth each person has been repeatedly infected – it’s like having a cold!  Almost all have anemia. You see, the malaria parasite lives in the red blood cells, destroys it and gets sequestered by the spleen. The liver is slowly destroyed by the strong medicine, other bugs that infect it, alcohol, or fungus.

Maybe we shouldn't have killed that big hairy spider so it could help control mosquito population.

Two churches have expressed intention to support my need of surgical gloves. Thank you for your generosity. But I’m good for now, but really my wish list is growing. Just today (Saturday) I spoke aloud, "my God shall supply all my needs according to his riches and glory!”  Indeed, it hasn’t been 2 days since I verbalized my urgent need of a power drill (for fixing bone fracture) and a covenant church has answered the need.

I have been truly blessed by so many covenant churches who love the Lord and his worldwide church.  I thank God for all of you. If you have been praying for me when I was in Nepal, you need to double the effort. Please.

GBGM is coming up with this exciting live online event during which you will see and hear firsthand about United Methodist Church ministries around the world. Starting on October 10th you can watch webcasts, participate in video calls, follow along with online demonstrations, and learn how lives are being changed for the better.

We here at Ganta will be featured on October 18: Healthcare in Africa 3:00 p.m. EST: Missionaries Sue Porter, Victor Taryor, Dr. Albert Willicor, and Dr. Elma Jocson talk about the work going on in Ganta Hospital in Liberia, Africa. I will be happy to see you.

 Visit www.10-fold.org for more info.

 Bye for now.  Elma

 This is from an email received from Elma prior to October 5^th.

I need your prayers. This place is so frustrating, but I’m also suffering from culture shock. What emergency room has no O2 (oxygen) support, penlight, suction machine and some provisions to elevate the head of an injured child? These frustrations shall pass, but I need to raise the bar so we can serve better. Please pray for me more. Thanks.

Dok Elma's Musings - OCTOBER

Dear praying friends,

 Well, what do you know? Our Old Testament lectionary readings starting this month are from Job! What a
perfect timing for everyone here in the Philippines. More so for my family. 

 First Sunday of October was a great day. Everyone was wearing their Sunday best - whatever that’s clean and dry! Sept 26 Manila was struck by typhoon Ketsana with rainfall of 455 mm. Everyone was unprepared for the heaviest downpour. It was said that we received a month’s worth of rain in just 6 hrs. I was in the hospital doing my last tour of duty. (By the way, I have completed my training in Pediatric Surgery. Yipeee!!!).
There was news coverage on TV but I was too busy to notice. I felt it wasn’t that bad. I couldn’t have been more wrong. At least 609,548 people were displaced by flood waters and had to stay in makeshift evacuation centers in schools and churches. 240 people were killed. 319,881 families or 1,872,036 people were affected by the storm.

 The following day I had to walk for hours on muddy roads to get home. It was surreal, more like a warzone.

Our house was flooded up to the neck. My mother evacuated to my sister’s house and it also became our safe haven for the next several days. For 4 days we scrubbed and cleaned until daylight allowed - there was no electricity. By nightfall we stopped and ate and rested. By the time we were gaining cleaner house, the news of a super typhoon Melor came. Panic was in the air but became real when it started raining and we saw flood
waters again. We immediately sat down and prayed. “Lord, please don’t let us lose our faith in You. Help us to bring glory to your name in everything that is happening to us.” Typhoon Melor shifted its direction and did not hit Manila. But it badly damaged the northern part of the country - it still is raging at the time of writing.

 There was a lot to be grateful for. 
 
-Praise God that my mother was fully able to walk and climb up stairs by the time there was typhoon.  Praise God for our countrymen who suffered less, and so are able to help those who suffered more. -Praise God for giving to us all that we need. -Thank God that I am home during this time.
-Praise God for giving me grace to complete my training/study in Pediatric Surgery. -Praise God for my sister’s generous heart and comfortable home.
-Thank God for Tide laundry soap that helped us clean mud stains off our clothes. -Thank God that our supply of water wasn’t interrupted.
-Praise God for my cousin Leni who at home was with my mother. -Thank God that my father didn’t live to experience this typhoon or he would be very disappointed with himself of being unable to help us.

 Thanks be to God! He gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Cor 15:57) 
  For you who have prayed for us, I sincerely thank you.
 I tell my mother those who send us words of comfort and she too thanks God for you.
  Pray for me as I prepare for my next assignment - Liberia in West Africa. Pray that I will be able to work on my research so I can officially graduate; all my medical (health) tests are normal; and that I will enjoy the next months before going away.
  I pray that you will continue to partner with me as the Lord sends me to another place other than Nepal. God bless us.

Elma

Elma T Jocson
606 Oval St Sto Nino Marikina City
1800 Philippines
Phone: Home - (63-2)9413329 Cell - (63)918-3853758
dokelma@yahoo.com 

 

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Dear praying friends -

I haven't even started writing my newsletter to talk about my father's death, and I now have another story. Yesterday Aug. 30 in church, we celebrated National Heroes day by having an all vernacular service and pot luck to be followed by local games. During lunch, my mom slipped on the slippery floor and cracked her left patella (knee cap). It was raining. She said she heard the pins and wires breaking as she fell. This same knee has previously been injured, actually 4th time now, the very first was during World War II when Japanese invaded my country. It was damaged by shrapnel's coming off a bomb.
She survived that and was able to walk though she can’t fully bend her left knee. She suffered a fall in 1967 and 1990 wherein the same patella re-fractured because the wires gave way. It now happened again. She is in the hospital where pain is controlled and she is being prepped for operation.

I promise to tell you about my father. Just quickly - he was diagnosed June this year to have stage 4 cancer. He died Aug. 12 assured of his salvation in Jesus Christ. Thank you. For I know I can always count on you to pray for and with me.


We praise God because

1. His timing and his ways are perfect.
2. I was nearby physically when my mother slipped.
3. We were able to bring her to a good hospital and two orthopedic surgeons who are capable to take care of her.
4. Although in pain, she is forced to lie down and rest. My mother hasn't really rested since my father had his cancer, even after we buried him.
5. We are again the recipient of so much outpouring of love and prayers from our relatives and church family, and now from you.

Elma

 
Dok Elma’s E-musing

We ask you to pray for:

Cardiologist who will give my mother clearance to undergo operation on Sept 2.
The ortho surgeon who will operate and the anesthesiologist who will take care
 of her during the operation.
My mother's quick recovery, that the operation will be well, and that she will be
able to walk again. She is a strong 74 yrs old.
For my sister, Plenee, who is more emotionally tender than me.
 
Board of Global Ministries, The United Methodist Church August 2009

 
Contact Elma: 606 Oval St Sto Nino, Marikina City 1800, Philippines

Phone: Home (63-2) 9413329  Cell (63) 918-3853758

Support Elma:

Board of Global Ministries

UMC
475 Riverside Dr. Room 350
New York, NY 10115

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Our Missionary Surgeon's Loss & Plans - August 2009

 Dr. Elma Jocson's father died Wednesday, Aug 12, at home, after 5 days of hospital confinement. He had been diagnosed to have stage 4 cancer (adenocarcinoma) in June. He knew of his disease and was well prepared for his going home with the Lord. "Doc Elma" writes that she, her mother, and her sister probably have not fully grasped their loss yet. But since the day she was introduced to the love of God, He has continued to amaze her with His love and grace. She closed by thanking everyone in McLean for their continued partnership in mission and asking that we please remember her, her family and her work in our prayers.

 After serving six years as a missionary surgeon in Nepal, "Doc Elma" has been in the Philippines, in the same city as her parents, for a two-year training in Pediatric Surgery, operating on newborns and children. Her training ends in Oct. and in Dec. she will present her research paper. The General Board of Global Ministry has decided that her next assignment will be in Liberia, West Africa in the Ganta United Methodist Hospital. You can read about it at http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/work/health/hospitals/ganta. She will be going there in January 2010.

You may contact her at dokelma@yahoo.com or

Elma T Jocson     606 Oval St,  Sto Nino,  Marikina City 1800,  Philippines

My typical day starts with cups of black coffee and the Bible.  I rush to the hospital at 6am so I can do patients’ rounds.  By 7 or 8 am operation for elective (planned operations) cases start.  It feels that everything takes time in Pediatric surgery.  Back in Nepal, our patients can only tolerate procedures less than 2 hrs duration.  Now even kids under 1 month old can last 8hrs of operating time.  We do 1-2 big cases and several small cases daily.  While operating, my cell phone doesn’t stop ringing informing me of referrals to surgery from the Emergency Room and floor wards.  I have to go out of the operating room if there’s a super emergency referral- a baby that has no intravenous access and a cutdown has to be done, or a baby needing a tube put in to drain air or fluid in his lung.  Usually by 6pm I am done and I can answer the other referrals, see all my ward patients.  Hopefully by 12 midnight I am done and ready to take the horizontal position.  Oh yes, I do eat in between cases- Day 1.  And snatch some reading time too.  Ring, ring! My cell phone just won’t stop and my energy is low.  I have to get up anyway by 4 am to start my rounds and get ready for the day’s OR list.  Day 2 starts, this day I won’t get the ward referrals as my colleague is now the on-duty Fellow.  Normally I can go home by 5pm, I should. But I can’t.  If there’s an emergency case that needs to be done or I just don’t have the energy to go home, I stay in and sleep in the operating room complex. This way I get my 8 hours sleep, or more, to catch up on sleep.  By Day 3 I’m 32 hours on-call duty again.  

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