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