It’s been over a month since I last updated, but February was a short month. Fact is, all the months seem shorter the older we get! 

     He’s back! Christopher, our 14–year old grandson, is back in hospital again. The doctors are dealing with his acute rejection of the transplanted kidney and concerned over his elevated levels of creatin. The plan has been to put him on 4 doses of intravenous steroids to overcome the rejection. He’s had two doses and yet the creatin level has risen again. Lenora says, “Now I know why the Doctors say, ‘A transplant is not a cure, but another disease!’”

     Harriett and I have experienced good health this year, for which we praise the Lord. We workout at the gym three mornings a week and my strength is growing steadily. I’ve regained the weight I lost in the months leading up to my lung cancer surgery last July. My ministry with Frontline Fellowship grows at a steady pace and I’m having more opportunities to preach.  

     Please pray for Dr. Peter Hammond while he’s on a field trip to Zambia just now. It’s a very strategic time for our mission there and in Zimbabwe. For security reasons I’ll need to wait until he returns to South Africa to give you a full report.

     Before Peter left Cape Town he asked me to write a Foreword to his latest book, the 3rd edition of his classic, Faith Under Fire in Sudan. A Foreword is different from an endorsement. He has some great endorsements! I tried to present the book in a geo-strategic and geo-political setting to make it contextual. This gives the reader a better understanding of what Peter and Frontline Fellowship were actually doing while things were happening that the reader had read about or seen on TV. Mission work is never in a vacuum.

     Job opportunity: In considering the road ahead, Lenora and Peter are prayerfully seeking some help with their home schooling process. They are praying for someone special to help with various school subjects. If that person is coming from the USA or Canada, there would also be opportunities for involvement in a variety of Frontline ministries. If you are interested, or know someone who might be, please contact Lenora Hammond at hamfam@global.co.za for more specific details.

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Today, January 21, is Peter Hammond’s 50th Birthday. I penned the following lines to mark the occasion.

                             Peter Hammond at 50

I know Peter Hammond. I have seen him in the “fiery furnace” when he refused to bow down and worship the golden image of “conformity and compromise” created by the World Council of Churches.

• I’ve traveled with him on the “Damascus Road” and seen the changes in his life. His ministry has changed me too as I now have a much greater appreciation for the Reformation.
• Oh I know he’s not a perfect man: I’ve seen him in the “belly of the whale,” (in darkness and despair) when he ventured momentarily from the high calling, BUT God swallowed him up; arrested him, then brought him back – even providing transportation to the place He had destined him to be. Yes, at the end of the day –
• Peter is a man, who does not walk with the secular humanist, or stand in the company of abortionists and Christ-rejecting sinners. He’s uncomfortable with the un-godly. He doesn’t sit down or make his nest with the porn merchants or slanderous and character-assassins. But, truly, his delight is in the law of the LORD. He is like a tree, planted by the river (close to the Source of nourishment) – a ‘fruit-bearing’ tree as exemplified by the Mission he founded and the nearly 50 books he has formulated; these are his legacy and a living testimony to his singular dedication to “make Christ known.”

And when we could not quite agree –
as in the case of eschatology –
then we agreed to disagree:
he’s a most agreeable man!
BUT… let a commie raise his head,
And he will shortly join the dead –
Or when a shirker comes in view,
Or a lazy lout or two,
He will put them in their place,
Eye-ball to eyeball, face – to face
Then send them off in full disgrace…
in such a case – a most dis-agreeable man!

And so he’s 50 now, and having put his hand to the plow
he won’t look back. No one can say, “He’s slack!”
He marches on with singular determination
to reach this generation with the message of salvation
and the need for Reformation.

He marches on with steady cadence, leaving moderates in his dust,
to languish, vegetate and rust, while we run –
not to keep up, but just to keep him in view!
O yes, many are “called,” but he is one…among a few,
…..“chosen” to be an instrument in God’s hand,
to bring salvation to this land.

So this day in 2010 is neither the beginning or the end,
but a milestone along the way, where we may pause and pray
that many more a pleasant peasant may to Heaven’s Gate gain entry,
as this dedicated dynamo surges past a half a century.
                                             Bill Bathman – Mesa, Arizona – January 21, 2010

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Peter, from friends around the world!

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Our grandson Christopher was allowed home from the hospital late this afternoon and we spoke with him by phone for the first time since his December 2 kidney transplant operation. His voice sounded strong, but he said he was still “a bit sore” following all the long and drawn–out surgical trauma. It was a great encouragement for us to hear him say, “I am feeling so much better now.” Your prayers have been answered.
     He will need to go back to the hospital each morning for about the next six weeks for “blood–work.” They are monitoring his urea and creatine levels as well as magnesium, phosphate, sodium etc. Extended monitoring is needed for regulation of immune suppressant medication necessary to prevent rejection of the transplanted kidney. Life at 14 can be complicated. Please continue to pray for Christopher and his Mom (the donor) who is still feeling limited in what she can do.
     The Biblical Worldview Summit Camp was a great success. Now Peter and the Frontline team are mid–way into the Great Commission Course which follows. It was very hot in Cape Town today – over 100º F. Lenora said everyone was just melting in the summer heat (which is usually in the mid–70s). Jeff Black doesn’t feel it too much being from Arizona.

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It’s been a full week since Christopher’s nephrostomy procedure. His createnine levels plummeted from 800+ to 120 within several hours. We talked with Lenora earlier today and she said they have remained low and are currently around 82, which means that he is feeling much better now. This is a great answer to your prayers! There is still the problem of a pesky obstruction which seems difficult to pin–point, but for now the temporary nephrostomy has allowed the urine to flow freely via the inserted tubing. Blood analysis is done daily and his electrolyte balance is closely monitored. He was allowed home over the weekend and then readmitted to the hospital on Monday. 

 Meantime our colleague, Jeff Black, has gone out to South Africa to participate in the Biblical Worldview Seminar and Great Commission Course conducted by Frontline Fellowship under the leadership of Dr. Peter Hammond. Jeff will stay on for a few weeks to become fully acquainted with the practical procedures that will be a vital part of his new ministry as Frontline’s Director of Operations.

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Jeff's check-in
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Our 14–year old South African grandson, Christopher, underwent more surgery this morning at 11:30 in the Red Cross Hospital in Cape Town. Two procedures were involved: a shunt for hemodialysis should this be indicated and a fibrotic scope of his urethra and bladder. The scope was not fully successful, but they were able to inject dye in order to view the connections of his newly grafted kidney. The surgeon inserted a stent  where an obstruction was observed.

     Tomorrow (Wednesday December 30) he is again scheduled for surgery at 08:30 – the fourth time in just over three weeks. This will be an invasive procedure into the lower right abdomen where the newly grafted kidney lies. The surgeon is optimistic that he will be able to locate the obstructed area and surgically correct it.

     Thank you for praying. The specific needs are: (a) correcting the obstruction to the newly grafted kidney, (b) sufficient strength and stamina for his weakened body (especially lungs) and (c) appropriate post–operative nursing care.

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The unlikely has become reality: Christopher is home for Christmas – but he’s not out of the woods yet. His partial improvement resulted in the detachment from all his drips, drains and tubes – the things that bound him (almost Lilliputian–like) to a hospital bed.

     Christmas Eve is a very special time in our family. Perhaps it’s a carry–over from our European years. There’s always a special dinner, followed by singing and sharing and then the children opening their presents. This concludes the festive and ‘materialistic’ part of Christmas and thus enables the Day itself to be remembered as a memorial to the Birth of our precious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

     Yesterday was three weeks post–transplant. The doctors understood the emotional benefit for Christopher being home at night – especially on Christmas Eve. He will return to the hospital at 08:30 Friday morning in time for blood work to be done and to see the specialists as they make their rounds. He is glad to be at home but understands that he may have to return fulltime if the present arrangement proves impractical.

     Christopher has lost 10 pounds, is dehydrated and has little appetite for either food or beverage. It is thought that his own left kidney is not functioning and his Mom’s transplanted kidney is still not filtering the impurities from his blood.

     Several procedures are anticipated at the hospital this week along with daily blood analysis: (1) a stent will be put in so that hemodialysis can begin, and (2) fiber optic scope of his urethra and bladder for analysis in these areas. Please continue to pray for a full recovery of kidney functions and good health.

     The Bathman and Hammond families wish each of you a wonderful, Christ–centered MERRY CHRISTMAS! “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given.” Isaiah 9:6

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The result of Christopher’s kidney biopsy last week was encouraging. Now, at three weeks post–op, his creatine and urea levels are very gradually lowering. His intravenous attachments have been removed as well as the drain from his incision site. His blood chemistry is being closely monitored daily and the large array of medication modified accordingly. The doctors are holding steadily to their opinion that he has not sufficiently recovered to go home. The family is hopeful that he will be allowed a ‘furlough’ for Christmas Eve which is their traditional time of family celebration.
     Lenora went to the Groote Schuur Hospital early Friday morning in order to speak with one of the transplant physicians as they made their ward–rounds. His opinion was that the pain mediation should be taken on schedule and not just when she had pain. Her initiative to seek help in the transplant department paid off as no follow through appointment had been arranged.
     Footnote: Bill’s oncologist promised to “watch him like a hawk.” Consequently he had another PET/CT scan yesterday prior to a follow–up visit scheduled for mid–January. We’re thankful that Obamacare hasn’t taken effect yet!
                                                      Harriett Bathman

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We talked with Lenora by phone a few minutes ago for an update on our two “patients” in Cape Town. Christopher’s pneumonia has cleared up and he is out of ICU now, in an isolation ward to protect him from infection. His creatine levels are down a bit so that’s a good sign.

     Andrea (18) arrived back home on Monday evening for Christmas, having flown in from Phoenix, Arizona where she’s a student at Southwestern College. She spends most of the day with Christopher at the hospital. The two are very close. This will be good therapy!

     Lenora still has a lot of pain, coupled with what she terms a ”killer headache” with pressure behind her eyes. So it seems both patients have a long way to go still and need your continued prayers. Perseverance; something we all need. Peter, her husband says, “By perseverance, even the snail got on the ark!” Hmm. Thanks for persevering in prayer.

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     The last few days Christopher’s createn levels have been in a roller-coaster mode – high at night (650+) and somewhat lower in the morning (480). The doctors do not seem to be too concerned about this at the moment, saying that it can take up to three weeks or more for the ‘new’ kidney to adjust to its new environment. (My layman’s translation of a complicated professional medical opinion.)

Two days ago he suffered a partially collapsed lung (pneumothorax) and developed pneumonia. His pain level was the highest he has experienced thus far. He seemed discouraged to the point of despair voicing the opinion that, “people have lied to me.” By this he means that everyone had assured him that he would feel much better after the transplant. Even a friend his age who has had a transplant confirmed that he would feel much better. No one had warned him there would be some very unpleasant early days.

The latest we have at this moment from Peter is, “He still has pneumonia, but his partially collapsed lung has managed to be re-inflated.” It’s coming up to noon-time here in Phoenix (9 PM in Cape Town) and we plan to call him for the latest news. I’ll put that on this blog before uploading it.

Christopher is still in ICU. The Matron (head nurse) has given the OK for him to have a few non-family visitors, particularly from his sports team, which should be a big encouragement to him.

Lenora visited him briefly in ICU, but was still in a lot of pain herself. Her letter to us this morning said, “Wow, I have never known pain like this before. I can hardly stand it. It hurts to walk, talk [or cough] and just about anything I do. I’m glad I’m on antibiotics, at least this covers me for any infections.”

We’ve just talked with Peter again. Christopher slept better last evening. He is receiving antibotics for pneumonia. The venous and arterial blood supply to the transplanted kidney is good, however the urea and creatine levels remain alarmingly high.  His pain level in down somewhat. Today he had a visit from several of his sports team, including his coach, who  presented him with a Gold Medal for “Bravery.” This boosted his spirits notably!

Please keep praying. Christopher still has pneumonia. He is to have a biopsy of the transplanted kidney tomorrow. The results will give guidance as to the correct dosage levels for antibotic medication. Every roller-coaster ride must have an end. The Psalmist noted: “This poor man cried out, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.” Psalm 34:6. Eugene Peterson has an interesting paraphrase of this verse: “When I was desperate, I called out, and GOD got me out of a tight spot.” At 14 years old, Christopher is desperate and (from his perspective) in a very “tight spot.”

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Chris on oxygen
Lenora with Chris
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The Hammond family’s long–awaited kidney transplant took place this past week in Cape Town, South Africa. Lenora Hammond donated her kidney to her 14–year old son Christopher. It was successful and we praise the Lord for that. A minor, but necessary follow–up surgery to correct a blockage was successful too.
     Lenora was well enough to be “paroled” [Peter's word] this afternoon for a 5–hour visit with Christopher before returning to her bed at Groote Schuur Hospital. They found Christopher agonizing in severe pain. None of the pain relievers were effective. This was indeed his worst day. The level of patient care at the Red Cross Hospital is decidedly inferior to that of Groote Schuur.
     Please pray that this painful situation will soon be resolved. Changing Christopher to another hospital has not been ruled out.

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