Tina has been having trouble with hyperthyroidism off and on for the past eight years. The doctor said she has "Graves' Disease" which means her immune system is attacking her thyroid making it overactive. She will likely have to have her thyroid out or take a radioactive iodine pill to destroy it since the medication hasn't solved the problem. We found out something scary: because she also has some nodules (bumps) on her thyroid they say that about 10% of these cases are related to cancer.On September 9th, Tina had a biopsy to determine if the nodules are cancerous. We have to wait about 10 days for the results. If it is cancerous, it will be removed by surgery and the cancer treated. If not, we can choose between surgery or the radioactive pill. The pill treatment costs seven hundred dollars and is NOT covered by our insurance. The surgery would be covered, but leaves a big scar on the neck and could have complications.
Either way, Tina and I need your prayers. We have faith in the Lord, but we are also comforted by your prayers. Please remember your missionaries are often far away from family and friends and appreciate your words of encouragement.
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