Progress & Christmas JOY!!

Here is my end-of-the-year Christmas update. Finished my last course for 2008 the week before Thanksgiving and then on Wednesday, Nov. 26th, I traveled to Bucharest to be with the Dr. Carmen Mocanu, the doctor at the pediatric hospital, who was there for the only audiology course at the only Ear Institute in Romania. The course is offered by Dr. Pascu, the head-honcho of all ENT’s here in Romania. I had heard so much about him and it was great to finally meet him. A wonderful benefit to Carmen’s visit was that Dr. Pascu designated our pediatric audiology center at the pediatric hospital instead of the main hospital of Cluj as the site for neonatal hearing testing after failed hearing screenings in the nursery. This was nothing short of a miracle. Progress continues!!

Progress continues as well with the non-profit slowly but surely. I finally had to admit that I could not do this by myself, so I am incorporating help wherever possible and hope to make big strides of progress in January 2009. I am hoping as well to translate and incorporate the concept of the JOY of hearing into the Romanian name of the non-profit.

This concept of the JOY of hearing was evident this month in a particular hearing aid patient I want to tell you about. I it gave me JOY to be able to use my skills to help her to hear again and to re-confirm once again why the Lord sent me here. She has what is known as otosclerosis which is usually an operable hearing condition. Her mother had the same condition and the whole family believed there was nothing to be done. Somehow (only the Lord knows), she found her way to me. Previously, no one had diagnosed her correctly and none of her hearing tests accurately revealed her condition. Her hearing loss was profound – at the bottom of the audiogram. A dear family friend in the US, Mary Healy, had the same condition and passed away in 2006 and Jim, her husband, gave me her special headband and hearing aid. I was able to jerry-rig a bit of equipment that I had with Mary’s special headband to help Mrs. Puscariu to hear once again.

Dad's progress - Getting the doctorate done!

There has been a change of plans since I last wrote. My father is doing well, stabilized, does not need chemotherapy right now and is on a wait-and-see mode with his doctors for a recheck in 3-6 months. Since he is doing well, I have decided to stay on this side of the pond for Christmas and concentrate on my courses which start up again on January 6th. PLUS, since I have really only four (yes, 4!) more required courses to take for my doctorate, I have decided to double up on them in the next two sessions from January to April, take my comps and graduate in May 2009 instead of 2010. Previously I had thought of adding more courses.

I did not make this decision lightly. The Lord has impressed upon me a sense of urgency in getting this off my plate so that I can concentrate on other things. Two and half years of study will be long enough, I think. The Lord never gives us something to do unless He provides the power and there is power in prayer. Appreciate your prayer partnership with me in this for endurance and continued health to accomplish this.

Still moving forward slowly but surely with the non-profit paperwork. Hope to be able to concentrate on it fully when my current course is over in 2 weeks. Am seeing some patients at Petros tomorrow and the doctor I have been working with at the pediatric hospital has been making wonderful progress. I am very proud of her.

This month is my birthday month (the 25th) and I will be 55. Yup, it is true! Thanksgiving is a few days after that. This Thanksgiving 2008 may we remember to acknowledge all of the God-given things around us and be thankful for them all. He is still actively working in our midst.

Summer done - more courses and non-profit paperwork!

Praise the Lord, another course finished!! I have a two week break before starting up my final one for the year. Then only 5 more courses to go in 2009 and then I graduate in 2010!

Fall is already here – weather is already in the 60’s and 40’s at night. I was able to have a lovely, two week, summer vacation in England in August. The first week, my sister, Cynthia, and my mother met me for some touring in Southern England in a rented car (Yup, I did it and we all survived!!) to Worthing, Winchester, Stonehenge, Bath and Oxford. The second week I attended a single ladies’ missionary retreat. Heavenly!! It felt like two vacations in one and I felt like a queen.

Now my next priority will be concentrating on setting up this non-profit. One source says it takes 6 months and only 16 million pieces of paper and another source said for them it took only 2 weeks and only 16 million pieces of paper! I have learned that I have to dedicate myself 100% in doing things like this or it will never get done. Please pray that we get it done closer to the 2 week estimate! I will keep you informed. At least the other paperwork is done – I have my audiometer (Thanks again Missoula Rotary) and my visa in hand! Setting up this non-profit and studying will be my main concentrations for now.

I have a surprise visit coming from my church in Wayne, PA. Stephanie Korb will be visiting me for 5 days in October. What a treat! Then plans are for a trip home over Christmas for 6 weeks or so. I will be able to visit my dad and see how he is doing in Spokane, WA. Hope to see some of you when I am home over that time (which will be here before we know it!).

Chasing the paper trails!

Just a quick update – wanted to let you all know that we found out two weeks ago that my dad really does have non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. His wife, Imelda, is now with him in Spokane. Some sisters have already been there helping out. Please continue to pray with me that his house will sell in the Philippines and for his healing. Thanks!

What's new here in Romania?? Still chasing the paper trails of getting my visa (one more document to go), working on setting up the non-profit foundation (which they say takes 6 months) and NO, the audiometer is still not out of customs after 8 weeks (sorry to say!). Patience and endurance seem to be the most-needed character traits for me right now interspersed with a loads of understanding and a sense of humor. Otherwise, it would not look pretty!

Things have been going forward nicely at the pediatric hospital, for which I am very grateful. For now I will be concentrating on the pediatric hospital and my doctoral studies until I have the non-profit in place and can accept donations correctly under the foundation. I believe that I need to have this set up before dispensing any more hearing aids. Hopefully I will be able to procure some sources by then. I also believe that the Lord is working on my behalf in that regard.

Two more weeks with this latest course, then two glorious weeks off before starting up another one. I hope you are enjoying your summer!

Studies continue - received new audiometer!

Of course, always loads to share. This month I have not been seeing hearing aid patients since I do not have any more hearing aids! It is giving me an opportunity to seek out some other, new sources of hearing aids, to research starting a non-profit foundation and possibly to switch my model of dispensing donated hearing aids to purchasing low-cost, hearing aids and extending the price to the patients. We will see. I move forward only as the Lord shows me – ‘cos He knows I tread where I hath not gone before! Plus freeing up time has given me more time to study – less than 2 weeks left for this course! A little road trip with the new Baby will be in order immediately following! Suceava here I come!

A wonderful praise – the Missoula Rotary Club donated a wonderful, NEW audiometer to me and the project. Thanks Missoula Rotary! I am chomping at the bit to get it out of customs. After 2 weeks it is still there and I know we are almost over the bureaucratic hump! One day I will tell you how many papers I had to prepare in order to get it out of customs! I am sure I will be able to apply in the future what I am learning about Romanian paperwork. Just pray that there are no costs and I get it VERY SOON in the next day or two! Thanks!

Please be praying with me for my father’s comfort and care as he undergoes chemotherapy there in the Philippines for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, that the uncomfortable reactions to the chemotherapy drugs will dissipate quickly and that he can get through the courses of chemotherapy with few side effects, as well as for the comfort of the hearts of all my sisters, his wife, Imelda, and myself during this time. I just found out he is not covered under Philippine health insurance.

IT IS DONE!! PASSED COMPS!!

Just heard that I PASSED the comprehensive exam and I just wanted you to
rejoice with me!!!

Now, on to celebrating!! Blessings and thanks for the prayers!

Dr. Tricia Towle
Doctor of Audiology

A New Arrival!

Greetings from the land of the two Easters separated by a month. Yes, this weekend is the Orthodox Easter. The evangelical churches celebrate it now as well. They relate Christ’s Resurrection to lights and next week is called the Week of Lights. I will try and get a video of the people in the neighborhood who go en masse around the Orthodox Church across the street at midnight on Saturday. A sight to behold! It looks like a conveyor belt of people. I always wondered where all the melted wax on the street came around Easter. Well, last year I stayed up long enough to find out.

Many things have occurred since last I wrote. I finished another course (I love these two week breaks!), returned from Dubrovnik on the Croatian coastline (a great trip where we were treated lavishly and royally – it was worth the 36 hours underway!), I got my new crown (on my tooth that is!), and, started meeting with the new doctor, Dr. Carmen Mocanu, in the hospital. I also have a new arrival (a 2004 Opel Agila)! It feels like I have sprouted wings and I am thoroughly enjoying tooting around town and the countryside. I know the taxi drivers will miss me.

Here’s a picture – it’s a microvan (small on the outside but roomy on the inside) and rides higher than most sedans and also uses diesel. Engine checked out great and I’m thrilled and having a blast with it.

This week I got some news regarding my dad’s health. He lives in the Philippines and has just been diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma. He is pleased with the care there and is pursuing his options. Please be in prayer for him and his wife, Imelda, as well as my sisters since he is so far away.

Christus a inviat! (He has Risen!)

First course of doctorate completed!

Here I am lying on a piece of new real estate I recently purchased – yes, you got it, a new mattress!! Much needed and delightful.

Just a short update to fill you in that after 5-6 weeks I feel that body, soul and spirit are more oriented and grounded here. Health is good! PTL! Our weather right now is in the 50’s. Currently seeing patients in the Petros clinic two days a week. Arrived home yesterday exhausted after speaking Romanian all day with patients. At least the language is coming along. At the pediatric hospital, I will be meeting the new doctor next week.

I finished my course and am still enjoying a few days of my two-week break before another course starts up this Monday. This weekend I will be renting a car and going to Lugoj, 5 hours away, to see the little boy, Silviu, in his familiar surroundings. If I can get a full audiogram from him, then his family will not have to come to Cluj for the special testing with sedation. Pray with me for success and safe travel. Thanks!

Then next week on March 5th, I leave for Dubrovnik, Croatia with two other missionary ladies to attend a FREE woman's conference/retreat for American missionary ladies. They pamper us, so it will definitely be worth the 24 hours by train (with no sleeper) and 4 ½ hours by bus to get there. Right?!?!? Of course, right!! Yes, it will be a fun adventure as long as we are traveling together. Our travel will take us through Budapest, then Zagreb, then Split on the Adriatic and then on to Dubrovnik and returning on March 10th. So, please pray for travel mercies for Kitty, Laura and I.

Those are all the delights for now. Hope this update is finding you all well.

Back in Cluj - purpose accomplished!

Just wanted to inform you quickly that I arrived intact in Cluj on January 14th. Praise the Lord with me – I did not have to pay anything for the overweight and extra luggage! And I had 4 bags! Getting used to things here slowly but surely – using my time to rest and get my apartment re-organized. Sleep is still a bit crazy!

The weekend before leaving I had the opportunity to visit Mike Webb and his family in Arizona, as well as the Shiloh Christian Center, his church family which supports me. It was a quick trip but a delightful one.

I have now returned with a healed ear and greater health than when I arrived in the States last October. The Lord has accomplished mighty things in the last three months. I was thrilled to be able to be there for the home-going of my dear friend, Pam May, who is now running and jumping with Jesus after being in a wheelchair for so long with MD. I was also truly blessed by being able to meet with many of you, sharing a meal or a cup of coffee or tea. I also had opportunity to spend lots of time with my family.

It won't be dull here – another doctoral course has already begun. But don't worry, I will take only one course at a time!!

Thank you for your love and care and support of me! It is because of you and your prayers that I am able to do this at all. Let's all make it great in 2008!