Paulo Serrano is Pablo's best friend from Chile who lives in Sarasota, FL. He write about his younger brother.
FIRST BLOG:
Dear Family and Friends,
We are sending this letter on behalf of Felipe (“Pipe”), Paulo’s younger brother, who lives in Chile and is currently facing some serious medical challenges. Most of you know Pipe personally or have met him during his visits with us here in the States. You know Pipe’s huge heart, contagious joy, and steadfast faith.
As many of you know, Pipe has always had a medical condition known as Hereditary Multiple Osteochondromas, which has caused him to have multiple surgeries to remove benign tumors since he was a young child. When we were visiting Chile this summer, it was determined that one of these tumors in Pipe’s left leg (which grew very large in a short amount of time) was, in fact, malignant. Further testing also found additional tumors in his lung and rib cage. After visiting his doctor and having numerous tests run, Pipe was given a 10% chance of keeping his left leg, due to the tumor’s size and compromised nerves, etc. In addition, he was told that the cancer had most likely metastasized to his lung (as this is common with this type of femoral tumor). Of course, this left Pipe and the entire family devastated and relying quickly on our hope in Christ Jesus. At this point, many of you were praying fervently for Pipe and his situation at hand.
Well, on July 9th, Pipe went to visit a new doctor who specializes in osteochondromas in order to get a second opinion. This physician looked at the test results and immediately determined that Pipe’s leg could, in fact, be saved and that he would be able to walk following removal of the tumor. In addition, he indicated that the tumors in Pipe’s chest were not malignant and most likely previous osteochondromas that he has had for some time. Praise the Lord!!
Pipe will be undergoing surgery to remove the tumor in his leg on Saturday, July 24th. Pipe and the family now face the challenge of finding the resources to pay for the cost of a titanium “proximal femur megaprosthesis” that will be implanted during the surgery to avoid amputation of his leg, as well as part of the surgery itself. The current estimate after the portion to be covered by insurance is about $6,000.00 US dollars. This is far less than previous figures and although it seems like an insurmountable amount (especially in Chile), we know that God has already begun to prove Himself in this situation and will work out these details, as well.
We are sending this letter to inform you of Pipe’s circumstance and hope you will all join us in praying for healing, grace, comfort, and peace for Pipe in the days ahead. If any of you feel you would like to contribute financially toward the cost of Pipe’s medical expenses, we are enclosing our address where you can send any donations and we will forward them on to Chile.
Thank you for the support and encouragement that so many of you have shown already. We love and appreciate each and everyone of you!!
With hope in Him,
Paulo and Carmen Serrano
213 San Luis St.
North Port, FL 34287
We are sending this letter on behalf of Felipe (“Pipe”), Paulo’s younger brother, who lives in Chile and is currently facing some serious medical challenges. Most of you know Pipe personally or have met him during his visits with us here in the States. You know Pipe’s huge heart, contagious joy, and steadfast faith.
As many of you know, Pipe has always had a medical condition known as Hereditary Multiple Osteochondromas, which has caused him to have multiple surgeries to remove benign tumors since he was a young child. When we were visiting Chile this summer, it was determined that one of these tumors in Pipe’s left leg (which grew very large in a short amount of time) was, in fact, malignant. Further testing also found additional tumors in his lung and rib cage. After visiting his doctor and having numerous tests run, Pipe was given a 10% chance of keeping his left leg, due to the tumor’s size and compromised nerves, etc. In addition, he was told that the cancer had most likely metastasized to his lung (as this is common with this type of femoral tumor). Of course, this left Pipe and the entire family devastated and relying quickly on our hope in Christ Jesus. At this point, many of you were praying fervently for Pipe and his situation at hand.
Well, on July 9th, Pipe went to visit a new doctor who specializes in osteochondromas in order to get a second opinion. This physician looked at the test results and immediately determined that Pipe’s leg could, in fact, be saved and that he would be able to walk following removal of the tumor. In addition, he indicated that the tumors in Pipe’s chest were not malignant and most likely previous osteochondromas that he has had for some time. Praise the Lord!!
Pipe will be undergoing surgery to remove the tumor in his leg on Saturday, July 24th. Pipe and the family now face the challenge of finding the resources to pay for the cost of a titanium “proximal femur megaprosthesis” that will be implanted during the surgery to avoid amputation of his leg, as well as part of the surgery itself. The current estimate after the portion to be covered by insurance is about $6,000.00 US dollars. This is far less than previous figures and although it seems like an insurmountable amount (especially in Chile), we know that God has already begun to prove Himself in this situation and will work out these details, as well.
We are sending this letter to inform you of Pipe’s circumstance and hope you will all join us in praying for healing, grace, comfort, and peace for Pipe in the days ahead. If any of you feel you would like to contribute financially toward the cost of Pipe’s medical expenses, we are enclosing our address where you can send any donations and we will forward them on to Chile.
Thank you for the support and encouragement that so many of you have shown already. We love and appreciate each and everyone of you!!
With hope in Him,
Paulo and Carmen Serrano
213 San Luis St.
North Port, FL 34287
July 23 at 1:31pm
I would like to ask a great favor my dear friends—my brother Felipe, "Pipe", will be having a highly complex surgery, tomorrow, Saturday, July 24 at 9:30 AM at the Clínica Tabancura in Santiago, Chile. I ask that you´d be praying that our God can guide the hands of Dr. Luis Bahamonde and his team, and also that Pipe may have a fast recovery, both physically and emotionally.
Thank you so much,
Paulo
Les quiero pedir un favor muy grande amigos—mi hermano Felipe, “Pipe” va a ser sometido a una cirugía de una alta complejidad, mañana sábado, 24 de julio a las 9:30 AM en la Clínica Tabancura, Santiago, Chile. Les pido oración para que nuestro Dios guíe las manos de Dr. Luis Bahamonde y su equipo, y también para que Felipe pueda tener una recuperación rápida, tanto en lo físico, como en lo emocional.
Muchísimas gracias
Paulo
Paulo
