This is an update about things going on health-wise. (I know these can be quite boring… I get bored and I’m the target!) Today I had surgery to insert a triple-line catheter into my chest to aid with giving blood and receiving blood (or other less pleasant things). Wednesday I begin the process of stem cell collection. In 2005, while the cancer count was basically non-existent, I did this and harvested about 1.8 million stem cells from my bone marrow. These are currently frozen at Northside Hospital. I am now working with the doctors at Emory Hospital, where I had a stem cell transplant in 2001. If we get enough cells this week, there’s a good possibility I’ll have another transplant in the near future. (If you want to pray specifically… they would like to get at least 2 million more cells.) The challenge is this: the more chemotherapy a person has had (I’ve had a bunch), the more damage there is to the bone marrow and the less stems cells are in the bones. Collection involves sitting still for five hours while my blood runs through a machine and stem cells are captured. I’m scheduled to do this at Emory through Saturday of this week… then we’ll see.
Susan and I are at peace. The bad numbers have jumped significantly the past 4 months, so we believe we need to go on the offensive. My bones were hurting pretty bad before spring break, but, as often happens, God removed all pain when we left the country and he has given me abundant energy all spring. I marvel at his ways, his provision, his power, and his humor. We need his wisdom for important decisions, but I’ve come to the conclusion that if we’re in his will, we can’t really mess up. Being in his will means we really desire to follow his plan… and we obey him. “So we rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” I can’t say I understand completely how all this works, but I do understand a little more than I used to.
So we appreciate all prayers. No need to worry… just present your requests to God… with thanksgiving.
“Now about the collection for God’s people…” I Corinthians 16:1 (… a little out of context… sorry)
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4-7