Update on Pastor Gary Bell  

Posted by Chuck Weygandt, Team Coordinator

Saturday night Sherry Bell sent me an email updating me on Gary's status. I shared her message at our church yesterday, but realized that many of you would like to know how he is doing as well. Sherry wrote:
"On Tuesday we went from the airport to kaiser. Of course with the traffic we were not able to get there for his 4:30 appt.so we went straight to the ER which was probably just as well. He was admitted to the hospital that evening and spent until Fri. afternoon there. The MRI done there showed no structural damage to the knee. It is mainly a soft tissue injury with an extreme amount of blood in the knee and upper leg. The doctor stopped the blood thinner for now. So he is home recuperating. The knee and leg are still very painful and walking is very difficult. He has a walker to help him get around when necessary. So he will be kind of out of commisison for awhile. He is very glad to be home."

Imagine that, an MRI machine that works when you need it! Praise God that no surgery is required, but I do suspect Gary's visit to the ER and three nights in the hospital might cost a little more than they did in India. It sounds like he has a long road of physical therapy ahead of him, and we remember him in our prayers.

Sherry's message continued:
"Gary is so glad to have had this opportunity. He came back with some great pictures and we look forward to seeing Josh's pictures. Gary speaks so fondly of the people he met there, Pastor David and the staff at the CMC, people at the seminary, people at the site of one of the wells built by LHM, so many fantastic experiences. One thing he is not missing however is Indian food! He is still reluctant to use tap water!"
I encourage you to drop the Bell's a card or note to let them know we are all thinking of them.



Further Update on Pastor Gary Bell, Wednesday 8/26
I received an email from Sherry today with the following additional information:

I wanted to let you know that Gary has been readmitted to the hospital. He started running a high fever. It seems that the blood that collected in his leg has caused an abscess to form in there so he went to surgery last night to clean that out and also is on IV antibiotics. He will probably have another surgery on Friday for further cleaning out of the area. We don't know how long he will be in the hospital-he will most likely have a lengthy time of healing once he gets home because the wound will be open and will have to heal from the inside out.
He is in good spirits except when he had to be stuck 9 times for an IV yesterday!
We do appreciate everyone's prayers.

This is going to be a long road for our friend Gary, and for Sherry. Please remember to drop them a card or email to let them know they are being thought of.

This entry was posted on Monday, August 24, 2009 at Monday, August 24, 2009 . You can follow any responses to this entry through the comments feed .

2 comments

John Foottit  

Later Updates on Pastor Gary Bell received from the Benicia Lutheran Church office:

Tuesday, August 25th

Pastor Bell is back in the hospital. It appears that he has an infection in his knee and had to go back in for more medication. He is in room 422 at Kaiser Hospital in Vallejo.

Wednesday, August 26th

Pastor Bell had to go in for emergency surgery last night to get the swelling down in his knee. He is on heavy antibiotic and pain medicine. Pastor and Sherry greatly appreciate all of your cards, phone calls and prayers.

August 26, 2009 3:23 PM
John Foottit  

Pastor Bell was released from the hospital this afternoon. They stopped by on their way home to drop off his camera so I can process his India photos, and to give us the update. He still has an IV tube in his arm for Sherry to administer the antibiotics, etc. Please continue to keep both of them in your prayers.

September 1, 2009 5:37 PM

Post a Comment