Day 166. Blessings and Prayers

At just over five months post transplant and counting, there are many blessings to be thankful for and many prayers still on the table, for me and for others.  Paul Pavao, who was an immense blessing to me via his blog and email communication to me as he was a few months ahead of me in this journey, continues to struggle along and needs your continued prayers.  Dave Kinler, my business buddy, is currently in another round of strong chemotherapy which will hopefully prepare his body for his upcoming stem cell journey.  Pray that he does not fall prey to neutropenic fever again with this treatment. Finally, an old friend from CBC, Jim McEver, is losing the battle with stage four colon cancer and the insurance company isn’t wanting to pay for a last ditch effort trial treatment.  Pray for these and their families.

I went back to the doctor last week for my check up only to find out that the results we have been waiting for were unable to be attained.  My lymphocytes are so low right now, which is where the T-cells are, that they can’t get enough T-cells to count and compare against donor vs. mine.  My other cells are 100% donor, which is great!  We just can’t confirm whether or not the change in medicine is doing its job with the 66% donor cells vs. 34% my cells that were trying to take charge.  So we have to wait until October 29 when they do my next re-staging.  That’s when they will again do my labs, CT Scan, and bone marrow biopsy.  They can re-do the T-cell tests with this information as well…even better.  More waiting.

My hair has been falling out.  They have done a thyroid test and a hormone panel with results showing that I am post-menopausal.  Duh.  She’s going to speak to an endocrinologist to see if I need a little hormone help.  Maybe it’ll help my hair stop falling out.  Other than that, I don’t feel hormonal.  But maybe you should ask Paul.  :)

The little blessings I referred to earlier is that I have been able to go to a few outings.  However, when I do, that’s it for the weekend!  :/  My son turned 30 recently, and after a really bad weekend the one before, I was able to go and spend FOUR hours sitting and enjoying my son’s birthday party.  I slept most of the next two days, but I didn’t care.  It was worth it!  This past weekend was my uncle’s 80^th birthday.  We again were able to spend three hours sitting and visiting at his birthday party.  Around people and out of the house.  Two things that don’t happen very often.  Double blessing.  But the next day requires extra rest.  I have just come to accept that’s the way it is.  I don’t always want to take a nap.  I have to take nap.  We were also able to attend a memorial service for an old friend.  Not something you like to need to go to, but it was a blessing to be able to and to see folks you haven’t seen in a while.  The fatigue is still there but it is either less or I am used to it’s level and what I can do.  I’m definitely better than when I got home!

Psalm 40:1-3  “I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry.  He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.  He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.  Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.”