Word From W. Curtis Porter
On January 23, I left home for my annual trip to my doctors in California who treats my blood malady. Inasmuch as my malady had gone into anemia, it was urgent this time that I have a complete examination while in California getting the examinations at the University of California in Berkeley, I preached at a number of points in the area. I spoke for churches in Belmont, El Cerrito, San Bruno, Sunnyvale and Antioch. The church in Concord also had part in the services in Antioch.
The doctors held me for 30 days for the examinations. They had not decided just what had happened to me by the time my examinations were completed, but it would be necessary for them to study the various examinations for two or three weeks after I had gone. However, it seemed that my blood had leveled off at a low point, and if it stayed there and I did not get weak, they instructed me to leave off the blood transfusions, but if it started further down, then to resume them.
After returning home from California, I made the trip to Tampa, Fla., where I appeared each day on the lecture program of Florida Christian College. Upon my return home from Florida, a check up revealed that the blood was going down more, and it became necessary to resume the blood transfusions. My doctor in Memphis had received one letter from the doctors in California, but at that time they still did not know just what had happened to me. While at home I spoke on the lecture program of the church in Caraway, Arkansas. Then I came to Louisville, Ky., where I am now engaged in a meeting with the South End church. Bro. Joseph H. Cox preaches regularly for this congregation.
I have received a number of blood donations to replace the blood that had been used for my transfusions. And more will be needed. I appreciate greatly the donations sent but have been unable to write the donors in a number of cases, as the name of the donor was not given when the credit was transferred to me. If the donors will be sure to have their name and address sent along when the credit is sent, it will enable me to write each donor. If any reader has sent blood but has received no letter of acknowledgement, please write me and I'll check to see if the credit has come through.
In order to help me replace blood, just go to any blood bank that has a connection with the American Blood Bank Association, have them take your blood and then transfer credit to me at the Baptist Memorial Hospital Blood Bank in Memphis, Tennessee. If you find no bank in your area that has such a connection, then go to the Red Cross and have them take your blood and transfer the credits to me. They will do this as a matter of courtesy, and the Blood Bank in Memphis has agreed to accept transfer of credit by way of the Red Cross.
W. Curtis Porter, Box 195 Monette, Arkansas
W. Curtis Porter, P. O. Box 195, Monette, Arkansas, April 30, 1960 I recently assisted in a good meeting with the South End Congregation in Louisville, Ky. We had good attendance, good interest, and three were baptized. Brother Joseph II. Cox is the regular preacher for this congregation. I went through the meeting handicapped with a case of bronchitis.
Upon reaching home on April 14, my bronchitis became much worse. I went the next morning to a doctor here. We decided, because my blood was so low and my infection so intense, it would be best to take an antibiotic injection instead of taking medicine by mouth. I received a shot of Acromycin. I was violently allergic to it, and within three minutes I had a violent reaction. Puke and blood pressure went to nothing, and only by quick work on the part of the doctor was my life saved. I was rushed to Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, but it was doubted that I would live till I got there. I spent nearly two weeks in hospital there. Am now at home not able to be out yet. A week hence I am scheduled for a meeting with Spring & Blaine church in St. Louis, Missouri. I am doing my best to recover sufficiently to reach that meeting.