ANOTHER MAJOR SURGICAL OPERATION

My dearly beloved, I bring you special greetings from the United States of America.

 It is my pleasure to inform you that I have successfully undergone another major surgical operation on my spine in the U.S. By the grace of God, despite its extensive nature, my pre-operation, operation and rehabilitation for physiotherapy and occupational therapy lasted exactly four weeks. I was discharged on Tuesday, August 13, 213.

Elder Dr John Oduro-Boateng

How did a Ghanaian living in Germany go over to the U.S for surgery? That was the question many of the therapists, nurses and doctors asked me. This door of grace was opened to me through my long-time friend, Elder Dr John Oduro-Boateng, CEO and Director of St Luke Hospital, Kasei (Ejura, Ashanti Region of Ghana) and Emmanuel Eye Center, East Legon, Accra. He is also the African Director of Luke Society.

Carilion Clinic, Roanoke

With Dr Weaver after church service

Dr Oduro-Boateng introduced me to his own good friend, the renowned Neuro-Surgeon,  Dr Edgar Weaver Jnr of Carilion Clinic in Virginia. After preliminary evaluations, I was informed that the Board of Directors of the clinic had granted me full sponsorship to cover all medical, rehabilitation and related costs for my treatment in the U.S.


At the hospital Dr Weaver diagnosed problems on my spine which called for surgery. It lasted a little over nine hours. I woke up to find a smiling Dr Weaver at my bedside with the words, "Congratulations. We did everything we said we were going to do."

Martha and Dr Weaver beside my bed

I slipped again into a deep slumber, waking up in my ward to see my dear wife, the ever-faithful, ever-solid Martha, Pastor Jonnie Ansah, COP Pastor of Richmond District and his wife Florence (she really amazed us by coming over the previous day to keep Martha in company and pray with her in the night and throughout the following day when I was being operated. "I can imagine how a wife would feel as her husband is undergoing a delicate surgery; that was why I came to keep Mama Martha in company" she said.), and Elder  Apraku-Mensah, Presiding Elder of Richmond Assembly. It was all joy as the little group poured forth their sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving to the LORD for what He had done for me.

A physiotherapist helping me to sit up for the first time after the surgery

 A few days later, I was transferred to the hospital's rehab center for physiotherapy and occupational therapy. By His grace, my recovery has started in an amazing manner.

With Dr Oduro-Boateng

With Drs J.O.B and Weaver

Through this, the LORD has opened a fresh window of hope for us. In the words of Dr Weaver, "Michael, you can have a reasonable expectation for some recovery. What you need now is serious exercise through your therapies, prayer to God with whom nothing is impossible, and patience to wait, knowing that the recovery of nerves takes time--sometimes very long."

L-R:l Elders Ebenezer Osei, Kaakyire Koduah, Mrs Martha Ntumy and Pastor Jonnie Ansah behind me. Pastor Ansah and his two Elders from Richmond District came to bid us farewell after my discharge. 

--- And that is the reason why I encourage you to continue with me in steadfast prayer. Soon, the window of hope will lead to the door of healing. We shall walk through with songs of praise to the glory of God.

Martha and our youngest children, Joanna and Mike before the statue of President Abraham Lincoln in Washington D.C