11 replies to this topic

[Pa Pa]

His name is
is Bryan Holmes and I have known him all his life, he is a good friend of my son. They both left about the same time on their missions. He went to Russia and contracted some disease, which now threatens his life. When he left he only weighed about 130 pounds soaking wet…he has lost 30 pounds in three months. I doubt he will return to the mission field, but that is not his major concern right now. He is very sick and in need of your prayers.

Edited by Pa Pa, 13 April 2012 - 08:56 AM.

[Duncan]

sure thing!

[bluebell]

Of course!

[calmoriah]

it is surprising to me that so many places outside the cities in Russia had poor water quality and some of the cities had problems with heavy metals.  The missionaries were all supplied with great filters, but one had to be careful with the food one ate and of course any liquids given one.  Watermelons were to be avoided as some vendors would pump them up to increase weight.  And it is so hard to say no when people are have worked hard to accommodate for our religious preferences.  Had a horrible couple of days after sharing homemade juice they were so proud of having for us so we could celebrate too without the alcohol.  What is one going to say?  "Did you boil this?  If not, then I'm sorry, but that just isn't good enough."

And while they had many great doctors, while we were there the medical equipment was generally old or nonexistent and even basic medicines were unavailable if they were able to determine what was wrong, can't remember who told me but one of the major children's hospital didn't even have children's tylenol until it was supplied them by a charity.  I hope things have substantially improved in the 15 years since we lived there.  If my kid got sick beyond anything minor in Russia, I would definitely push for him coming home quickly if he wasn't transferred to a European mission that had better health care available.  We are so spoiled about our health care here in the States and Canada, we should be so much more grateful.

I hope they are able to track down the cause soon and treat it.  It can be a real heartbreak for the missionary when this happens and scary if the cause is unknown.

[Pa Pa]

calmoriah, on 12 April 2012 - 08:48 AM, said:

I hope they are able to track down the cause soon and treat it.  It can be a real heartbreak for the missionary when this happens and scary if the cause is unknown.

I believe it was something he got from drinking unpasteurized milk.

[Garden Girl]

Saying prayers... and his name is on the prayer roll in the Portland Temple....

GG

[Gillebre]

Absolutely. I have said prayers. Let us know how things turn out.

[rodheadlee]

OK

[Libs]

Prayers for your son's friend, Papa.  How awful to go to such a (seemingly) great place, for a mission, and have it end like this.  I hope he is going to be okay.

[Pa Pa]

Libs, on 15 April 2012 - 12:46 AM, said:

Prayers for your son's friend, Papa.  How awful to go to such a (seemingly) great place, for a mission, and have it end like this.  I hope he is going to be okay.

They sent his blood work to the CDC.

[Libs]

Let us know how he's doing.

[Pa Pa]

Libs, on 17 April 2012 - 08:41 PM, said:

Let us know how he's doing.

They sent his blood work to the CDC...waiting for more info.