God is so very good!
Thank you all for your faithful & fervent prayers over the past week. We just arrived home and Nina is settled in her new “home” in our living room. Here is a recap of the past week (and a bit) and how your prayers impacted Nina’s life:
Sunday, March 16: After two days of increasing pain and discomfort, Nina asked us to take her to the emergency ward at Portage District General Hospital here in Portage la Prairie. After numerous tests and time spent under observation, an angiogram was scheduled for Nina in Winnipeg.
Tuesday, March 18: After waking up feeling quite ill, Lena received a call from the hospital that Nina was set to depart for Winnipeg by ambulance at 9 a.m. Lena quickly prepared for the trip and accompanied Nina to St. Boniface General Hospital. After waiting until the afternoon for the angiogram, the test finally revealed that Nina’s heart was in desperate shape.
Wednesday, March 19: By noon, doctors at St. Boniface had met and decided that an emergency bypass operation was the only recourse for Nina. Her heart could not survive any further delay. Surgery was scheduled for the evening. I joined Lena in Winnipeg after taking Maya & Deena to my parent’s home. Lena & I arrived at the hospital at 10 p.m., but the surgery went later than expected. Shortly after eleven one of the nurses met with us to assure us that the triple-bypass operation was going well. Just before midnight the surgeon arrived and gave us the complete details. The surgery had gone very well and Lena was able to see her mom just after one a.m. We returned to my uncle & aunt’s home by 1:30 for some much-needed rest.
Thursday, March 20: Lena had to return to the hospital before 9 a.m. so that the nurses could communicate with Nina. We spent much of the day at the hospital, but in the evening we were thrilled to discover that a Russian-speaking nurse would be taking care of Nina for the next 12 hours. Lena & I enjoyed our first restful night in a long while!
Good Friday: Lena seemed to be getting sicker instead of better, so after checking in with Nina, Lena spent the rest of the morning waiting in the emergency room, trying to see a doctor. By lunch time Lena had been given some medical attention and was headed for an afternoon rest (once again a Russian-speaking nurse was caring for Nina). After the rest, my Dad & Mom brought Maya & Deena to visit us. Lena hadn’t seen the girls in three days, so it was a happy reunion for all.
Saturday, March 21: Another day at the hospital, with word received that Nina may be discharged as early as Monday.
Easter Sunday: Lena & I were able to attend the early service at Fort Garry M.B. Church before being summoned to the hospital so that Lena could interpret for the physiotherapist. Lena had to spend the afternoon & evening with Nina, but was able to come downstairs for a short while when our girls (this time including Sonia) came for a visit and supper.
Monday, March 22: Another full day at the hospital, but the end was near—Nina would be released the next day if all went according to plan.
Today: Shortly after 9 a.m. Lena & I met with the hospital administration to find out what Nina’s bill would be. As an out-of-country patient, Nina was expected to pay a substantial fee for her week at St. Boniface, plus whatever the doctor & anaesthesiologist would charge. After asking if there was any way for the amount to be reduced, we were asked to detail our & Nina’s situation. After we explained, the gentleman in charge looked thoughtful and said that it may be possible to reduce the amount by 40-odd percent, providing we could put the details of our situation into a letter for the hospital. We happily assured him that we would, and thanked God for apparently providing a way to reduce the huge bill. As we waited for Nina’s surgeon to meet with us before the release, we wondered what the rest of the bills might be like. After the doctor had given his okay for Nina to go home and had answered all of her questions, Lena asked him if he would be willing to see Nina once more before she left for Russia. The surgeon asked Lena to follow him to the consultation room, closed the door and told her, “I understand that your mother has no medical insurance and that you will have to pay for all of her expenses.” Lena nodded. He continued, “I talked with [the anaesthesiologist], and we decided that we would not charge you anything.” Lena was speechless! Finally she thanked him and told him that this was an answer to the prayers of many friends and family. It truly is! Shortly after that Nina was on her way to Portage la Prairie. We have so much to thank God for! Here are some of the answers to prayer that we have received this week:
Blessings
- My Dad & Mom—they took care of Maya & Deena during our time in Winnipeg and also brought the girls to visit us on Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
- My Uncle Hank & Aunt Lynn—they provided a home for Lena & I during the time Nina was in St. Boniface.
- Pastor Ramsy—he visited several times with us at the hospital and prayed with Nina.
- The nurses & staff at St. Boniface who cared for Nina.
- The doctors, nurses & staff at the Portage hospital who cared for Nina.
- The surgeon & anaesthesiologist who donated 100% of their effort to giving Nina new life.
- The willingness of the administration at St. Boniface to consider reducing the amount owing for Nina’s care.
- All who prayed, visited, sent cards and helped in tangible ways!
Petitions
- That Nina’s body will continue to heal as it should.
- That we will be able to extend Nina’s Canadian visa so that she will have time to recover before flying home.
- That the remaining medical bills (ambulance & Portage hospital bills) will not be too high.
- That God will continue to provide for our financial & material needs.
What’s next? While we wait for the final medical bills to come in, we need to ask to have Nina’s visa extended, reschedule her flight back to Russia and likely book another flight so that someone may accompany Nina back to Russia. We will update you further once we have more details.
Thank you all once again for your faithful prayers during this time. We have felt so blessed and covered by God’s grace & mercy. Nina was so thankful for all who visited and made contact with her—even when there was no one to translate for her she understood the love that can only come from God’s people! I’m certain that when she is able, she will express her gratitude to you in her own words.
May God bless you all for the love you’ve shown to our family!
Kevin, Lena, Sonia, Maya, Deena & Nina
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