The treament has begun

Sorry for the lack of updates because of the "vacation" we took last weekend. We went back to Orlando and stayed in the house of special friends. We had a great time, in spite of very high fevers I had both days we were there. On Sunday we went to a church where we felt the reality of God's presence through the worship and the preaching of His Word. How we have missed the fellowship of God's family!
Another special moment this weekend (reflected on this picture), was the Skype connection we made with the Crusade office in El Salvador. The occasion was our annual Christmas dinner we offer to our students, disciples, friends and many of the donors that support our ministry. It was so exciting to see our auditorium filled with people enjoying this celebration we offer to them every year. We got a lump in our throats because we couldn't be there with them...but we were able to briefly share what God is doing with us here.


Here's a picture of two of the three antibiotics that I will start taking in 20 minutes to start eradicating the brucella bacteria from my body. One is called Rimfampin and the other Doxycycline Hyclate.
This afternoon we had the second appointment with our infectologist who once again confirmed the diagnostic she had given us on Friday. At the same time she gave us more information on the possible damages this bacteria can do to the body. In my case, the bacteria has found a home in my blood. The presence of a bacteria in the blood is totally unaceptable! Blood is a sterile medium that always has to be 100% pure. Because blood goes all over the body, it can potentially be spreading the bacteria all over the place on all major organs. Ideally, our doctor would like to let us go until my blood cultures show no more traces of the bacteria (these cultures take 60-70 hours to complete).
Please also pray for the test I'm having tomorrown a Transesophaegal Echocardiogram. The idea is to check the heart as close as possible. I will have to swallow a tube so they can insert a sensor to within millimeters of the heart.
Our doctor wants to be completely sure that there's no damage to the heart's valves. Depending on the results of this test, she will define the third antibiotic of my treatment (between you and me, this morning, the cardiologist assured us he's sure there is no damage to the heart...)
Once we start the process, I have to have made blood cultures every 7-10 days to make sure the bacteria is no longer present in my blood. We've already started contact with doctors in Miami that will assist us with this part of the treatment.

As you can imagine, we're exhausted after so many tests, doctor's appoitments, blood work, etc. But we're very relieved God is showing His light at the end of the tunnel. We have prayed for a diagnostic and now we have it. We see His hand in every step of the way of our time here.
Our prayer now is that we can be released to spend Christmas in Miami with our family and friends. Luchy has been talking to our friends defining the menu of the Christmas dinner. Andres called me this afternoon to tell me he's waiting for me to go see a movie together...I can't wait until we're together again as family.

Until the next...