Lathem Gaining Strength After Health Struggles

1/28/2010

By Glenn Hannigan, Editor, the North Georgia Advocate

Warren Lathem has special reason to be enthused about the new year.
     
For a time, Lathem had doubts he would even live to see 2010. Now he is busy planning the next step of his missionary journey.

“I am doing remarkably well after a very difficult year,” said Lathem, recuperating at his home in Ball Ground. “This has been tough on my family as well as me. But I am pleased with the progress I have made and I am optimistic about the future.”

Lathem, who served for 17 years as senior minister of the Mount Pisgah, most recently served for five years as District Superintendent of the Atlanta-Marietta District before taking leave in June 2008.

He then traveled to Venezuela to teach and to preside over the graduation exercises for the Wesleyan Seminary of Venezuela. For Lathem, the event marked one of the high points of his ministry.

Soon afterward, he was in a fight for his life.

Shortly after returning home from Venezuela, Lathem had to undergo emergency surgery for a hernia.  That surgery went well, but he contracted an MRSA staph infection in the hospital. 

“My doctor painted a bleak picture,” Lathem said. “I was sick as a dog. I didn’t know if I would make it through the week.”

For four months, Lathem was on daily regimen of IV antibiotics – administered by Jane, his wife of 36 years  – followed by two months of oral antibiotics.

After surviving his battle with staph he took on his next medical challenge: preparing for gastric bypass surgery. After enduring a rigorous series of tests and exams, Lathem was eventually approved for the surgery, which he had on June 10.  It was a success. 

“I have lost over 150 pounds, which is like losing a whole person, but I still have a long way to go,” Lathem said. “Unfortunately, during the surgery I experienced some orthopedic and nerve problems that resulted in me losing mobility.”

Little by little, by lifting weights and going to aqua therapy, Lathem has been regaining his strength.

He remains on a strict diet, cutting out sugar and fats, as he continues to shed weight.
“This has been a lifelong struggle for me,” he said.

But Lathem has a clear goal in mind.

“I need to lose another 100 pounds,” he said. “I need to have both my knees replaced and the doctor will only do it if I weigh 300 pounds or less. That will get me there.”

Even while recuperating at home Lathem has kept busy, communicating regularly on Facebook and writing various teaching and training booklets.
But his biggest motivation is something he wants to do in March.

“I am looking forward to getting back to Venezuela and teaching at the seminary,” he said. “It is a fertile place for ministry and the people are starving for information.

“It is the most exciting thing I have been involved with in 38 years of ministry.”

To contact Warren Lathem, e-mail: warrenlathem.@gmail.com

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