Medical
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Nine Months in Hospital;
Medical Bills Mount
As pastor of Cross Roads Baptist Church, I would like to lift up one of our faithful
members, Lynn Hammond, 57, who has been battling a severe pancreatic illness that
has put him in the hospital for 9 months -- with most of that time in ICU.
Since his discharge from the hospital in January, he has spent time in a rehabilitation
facility, as an inpatient, then as an outpatient. However, due to violent vomiting,
Lynn has recently developed three hernias that are preventing him from doing any
therapy. He can barely stand. Doctors have scheduled surgery March 24 to repair
the most dangerous hernia. He also still needs pancreatic surgery, but doctors don’t
deem this safe until his pancreas stops spilling poison into his body.
Big Toll
Lynn’s illness has taken a big toll, not only on his body – he went from 236 pounds
to 140 pounds – but also on his finances. Lynn, a design engineer, is fortunate that
his employer is willing to keep his job open for him. However, he is no longer
receiving a paycheck, and Lynn’s wife, Lisa, also had to give up her job in order to
provide extra help for Lynn.
Although our church has taken special offerings to help, you can imagine the
mounting medical bills. His hospital bill alone is over $1 million. That does not
even count the costs of all the specialists, radiologists, infectious disease team, etc.
As medical bills rise, living expenses continue – car payments, house payments,
etc. With no source of income other than short-term disability, there is increasing
financial pressure.
Our faith tells us God will provide. Might God be calling you to be one of those
providers? Any help you can give will be greatly appreciated.
Mike Steele, Pastor
Cross Roads Baptist Church
Organizer
Lisa Ann Hammond
Organizer
Ooltewah, TN