Bumper crop…7M stem cells!

Today was the day of harvesting and WOW! Steve had the stem cells to harvest. For the last 3 days Steve received neupogen shots…2 in the morning and 2 in the evening. He experienced aches and pains, as well as nausea, but he was always so positive about what he was doing for his baby brother (that’s me ).

Steve and I both had appointments this morning. We started the day with a hearty breakfast at Cracker Barrel and arrived at the office by 8:00 am. Steve, Elaine, Stephanie and Brandon, and Michael, along with Keli and I were some of the first customers and had a nice breakfast together. When we arrived at the bone marrow transplant office, Tim was waiting for us and shortly afterwards Pastor Howard arrived. Pastor Howard came back with the family to a small room and led us in a beautiful prayer. I am so thankful for my pastor.

Steve then went to the collection room for the harvesting of his stem cells. I was in the adjoining room having my blood counts taken. I learned that I had to go over to the hospital to receive 2 units of blood, so I went in and shared that information with Steve. Elaine stayed with him throughout the procedure and he did so good. I was never told how many stem cells they needed for me, but when I received the call from Steve later in the afternoon we both were so happy with the news. He told me they needed to harvest 4 million stem cells for my transplant and the amount they actually harvested was 7 million. WOW! That is a bumper crop! The wonderful thing about the extra 3 million stem cells is that they will be frozen for years and available to me should I need another transplant in the future. Of course, I do not expect needing a second transplant, but it is cool to think that the stem cells will be available.

All the way along this journey, God’s faithfulness has been demonstrated in so many significant ways. Today was another day of the grace of God extended to His child. He is so good! As I think about entering the hospital next Thursday, February 18, I am confident in the Lord and I know He will continue to go before me. Praise be to God!

It was so awesome to be in church yesterday and lead the music. A church family is so vital in one’s life…especially my life…and I am thankful for the joy of worshiping with my church family.

May the Lord bless you. Thank you for your continued prayers and support. I really need your continued prayers as I go into the transplant. There may be challenging days ahead, but I am held by the One who faces challenges head-on. We serve a wonderful Lord.

Blessings,
Sam

Is God on a marketing campaign?

Our family has watched more TV this year than we have in the past. It has been a necessity in some ways…because we are stuck in the house, and at some point you run out of things to do (except graffiti ) Sam and I have had so many days at the hospital, TV has been a diversion. Joel Widmer (the one responsible for starting the blog), who dates my niece Lizz, has a degree in marketing and because of this, I have become more interested in this field. I have seen so many commercials, not to mention, product placement. It is so amazing to me how affected I am by the commercials at Christmas time and around valentines day. and how they give you such a warm and cozy feeling. You know the one I am talking about… the young soldier walking up the driveway in his uniform, his younger sister meets him at the door. They make a certain brand of coffee….the parents smell it….come down the steps…happy tears, everyone embraces. Best Christmas ever! I know you can quote the slogan of that company by heart!!! More than that, I know that companies are sending me and my family silent messages (or not so silent) all the time…so that I will buy them and bring them into my home. They ultimately hope that I will develop product loyalty and that another companies coupon or add won’t lure me to buy their similarly performing product, because I love and believe that theirs is the best….furthermore, I will tell others about the glories of the product that I have purchased and how it has changed my life. (it tastes better, cleans better, you get my point )

There is something else I have had time for during these months, silence. Whether it be while I am driving, or when I am awake at night or while Sam is sleeping. It was during one of these times a few weeks ago, while I was driving and listening to some praise music reminding my of Gods love for me, that I wondered if God might be in the marketing business as well. The words I was hearing were actually “I know the Maker, He knows my heart, before even time began, my life was in His hands. He knows my name, He knows my every thought. He sees each tear that falls and hears me when I call.” This happened to be in the middle of Sam’s infection, when he was having trouble with his heart. This song took on a whole new meaning to me. I have been keenly aware of his consistent messaging to us and it amazes me that as we have progressed through this process from the beginning He has given us Scripture to go along with every step of the way. Along with that, He has reinforced it with people and music that has given us reinforcement for what He was trying to tell us….”All my Hope is in You”….”Strength Will Rise”….”His Eye Is On The Sparrow”….these are just some of the songs He has given us along the way. What I joy to know that the God of the universe is intent on winning our hearts and minds, that He is on a “campaign” to keep us from accepting any substitution!

My message of hope to you today is, if you are going through tough times, find a verse to cling to. Quote it, practice it, hold to it…do not allow doubt to creep into your mind. Ask God to fill you with Himself. God loves you…banish negative thinking, ask Him to help you….but replace it with something else, whether it be christian music, a good book, a craft you love…If you don’t replace negative thoughts with something better…they will come back! You need to be with people, (even if you don’t feel like it) you need to hear Gods word! It will confirm what God is telling you! You will be amazed how encouraged you will be when a certain scripture or music has really been speaking to you, and then to hear the pastor say exactly what you have been reading in the scripture or hearing in that song all week…that could “rock your world”! That is what I call the ultimate “consistent messaging” campaign!

God is so good to us, He continues to send us messages of hope and promise.

We are snowed in for the first time in 6 years. The girls have played outside in the snow, and Bentley almost had a nervous breakdown before he figured out how he could use the bathroom outside because the snow was so deep. I have really enjoyed being home and cooking and the fact that I don’t have to go back to work until Tuesday!! I actually had the presence of mind to buy food for the whole weekend before it started snowing! So there has been no stress and we have just had a great time enjoying Steve’s visit and each other. I have even tried a new recipe….which Sophie actually prepared ….It was amazing (Banana cobbler bread pudding, with hot vanilla sauce ) YUMMMM! I can only say …if food can make Sam’s counts go up, they surely will be up on Monday!

We love all of you so much, and are thankful for the steps that you continue to walk with us on our journey!
Keli

Let’s talk handiwork…of God…

It has been a full two days. Steve received an automated call from Southwest Airlines on Wednesday afternoon stating that his 11:30 Thursday flight had been cancelled due to the forecasted snow storm that was going to hit Oklahoma City. He immediately got on the phone and the only flight available to come to Nashville was at 6:30 am Thursday morning. Steve made the flight that morning. When I woke up at 6:32 am, I just had to call and he was on the plane and had not yet taken off. I was so thankful that he was on the plane and that the snow had not yet started in Oklahoma City. Knowing that Nashville was forecasted to receive snow today, I thought it might be good to call the doctor’s office Thursday morning to talk about our options.

Before I was able to ever call the doctor’s office, Michael, our bone marrow transplant coordinator, called me at 8:28 am and I told him that Steve was planning to arrive at 1:00 that afternoon and we could come down to the office that afternoon, if at all possible. He said that was why he was calling, because he wanted us to do our lab work Thursday afternoon. Well, that is exactly what happened and by 5:30 Thursday afternoon Steve had completed all his blood work, EKG, and chest x-ray, as well as discuss the stem cell extraction process with the lady who would be performing the harvesting. Michael said we had completed the most important part of the process of Steve coming into town early and that if the weather was bad early Friday, we could wait until next week for his meetings.

Friday morning came and there was no snow coming down when we left the house. We arrived at the doctor’s office at 7:20 am and were leaving by 9:00 am. The snow had started falling, but I had promised a stop by Starbuck’s, so we went there. Wow, after that the snow was falling quickly, but Keli drove us home safely as we passed several wrecks on the interstate. The Lord’s hand was on us and He was watching over us. After stopping at the grocery store we headed home for the rest of the day and let the snow fall as it wished.

I know God is the not the grand puppeteer who manipulates every single move of His children. I know God did not strike me with leukemia as if to see if I could make it through the challenge of facing a health tragedy. I do believe, however, that the hand of God is at work and that even the last 30 hours have demonstrated His hand at work in the timing of getting Steve safely to Nashville and helping us to get all the preliminary work done for next week’s requirements of harvesting his stem cells on February 8. We serve an amazing God who loves us and desires good for us. Lord, You are good and Your mercies endure forever.

The snow continues to fall in Mount Juliet and it is absolutely beautiful! Anna-Laura and Isabella were joined by Bentley as they built a midget snowman this afternoon. Bella had me send a picture to WSMV with the hope they will show it on one of their news broadcasts. It appears we will be homebound tomorrow, but we are prepared just to relax and stay in the house. If you are snowbound, I hope you are relaxing, too.

Blessings,
Sam

Moving forward…

Yesterday was a day of answered prayers. Keli and I met with Dr. Berdeja for the transplant consent paperwork signing. We had already read through the materials and had been made aware of the risks and possible side effects of the transplant, so we were prepared to meet with the doctor. The answered prayer came quickly in our conversation with him. Dr. Berdeja shared that from all the tests done last week to discover if there were any potential physical threats going into the transplant…all tests came back with a clean bill of health…Praise the Lord! By the end of the conversation, he even suggested that he may move the transplant date up a little if my counts come to the level where he wants them.

Another answered prayer was that my platelets went up for the first time without a transfusion and my white count is slowly rising. Keli and I had spent all of Monday in the transfusion room when I had to receive two units of blood, but it is awesome to see the counts rising and my bone marrow starting to produce again.

Steve is to fly in tomorrow and he will have a full day on Friday starting the preparations for his stem cell donation. Please pray for his safety as there is a predicted ice storm for Oklahoma City. I continue to trust the Lord for everything…even getting my big brother here.

It is an exciting time in the Green household as the girls are all about to have birthdays. For Sophie it is especially exciting because she turns 15 on February 11 and you know what that means…driver’s permit. Anna-Laura received a copy of her transcript yesterday and is now making preparations for her senior year of high school. I can’t believe she will be going to college so soon. Isabella turns 12 this year…that is a special time in our family. As I did with Anna-Laura and Sophie, I will take Bella out on a date to Melting Pot and give her a purity ring. That is one of the most special times this daddy has with his girls. Bella knows we will not be able to go until a while after her birthday because of my recovery…but I can’t wait to celebrate that important time with her. We love to celebrate life in our family and we especially love celebrating our girls’ lives. I am so thankful for my girls and the lives they are living.

As I reflect on these last several months, I see the handiwork of God in every little aspect of the journey. I have learned and am continuing to learn complete trust in the Lord. Keli could tell you how at times my anxiety has gotten the better of me, but the Lord uses her in powerful ways to speak His truth into my life. I can’t imagine this journey without Keli. She has been and continues to be so positive and that encouragement means so much to me. She is a woman who demonstrates daily a depth of love that few people in the world have. I am so blessed to call her my wife and best friend.

Tonight is church and the girls are excited to go and be a part of their church family. My heart is there with the choir tonight, but I know I am wise to be home still and not risk a setback by overdoing it. I cannot express to you how thankful I am for my church family and extended Christian family. Today I received two cards…one from Art and Sandra Kurtz from Hermitage Church and another from Irmgard Williams. I have known all three of these people since my college days at Trevecca. I first met Art and Sandra when I was minister of music at Hermitage back in the late 1980’s. Irmgard is the mother of a dear friend from college, Joel Williams. Joel and I travelled together representing Trevecca. The family of God is one that is not artificial or fake. It is also a family that cares and expresses love for each other. I am so thankful for the thousands of people represented by all sorts of different churches that have and continue to lift me in prayer. Praise the Lord for the Body of Christ.

I will close by sharing what song is playing right now upstairs while the girls are cleaning for Uncle Steve’s coming…”You Are Good.” Yes, the Lord is good and He is faithful. It says, “We worship You for who You are…and You are good.” Amen.

Blessings,
Sam

The end of chapter 2…looking forward

Friday marked the end of chapter 2 and the beginning of the third and final chapter of my health journey with leukemia.  Over the last two weeks Keli and I have met with many medical professionals and I have taken many physical tests to see if my body and mind are ready for the transplant.  Friday was significant because it was the day Dr. Berdeja shared with us the results of the bone marrow biopsy taken last Monday…no leukemia cells were present.  Praise the Lord!  It is now full steam ahead with the preparations for the transplant.

Tuesday of this coming week is consent form signing day with Dr. Berdeja.  I know we will talk about the potential threats and side effects of a stem cell transplant, but I continue to trust in the One who has brought me this far and believe His hand is on me to guide me all the way through the cure.  Steve starts his process on Friday of this week.  He will be coming in Thursday from Oklahoma City and will be here a couple of weeks.  The actual stem cell collection will hopefully be only one day of that time, but he must receive shots to prepare his marrow to overproduce stem cells that are released into his blood stream.

My four girls are at church this morning, so I am by myself with Bentley and it is a good time to reflect on being at the beginning of the final chapter. As I look towards a few months from now when I believe the doctor will release me from his care and send me back to my first oncologist, I am anticipating a few things that I have not been able to do since mid-September.  I look forward to kissing my wife and girls…wow, I miss that so much.  I look forward to the routine of going to work and church on a daily basis. I look forward to life without a PICC line and not having to have Keli wrap my arm every time I shower.   I look forward to salads…oh, precious salads…I really miss those.  I look forward to having an immune system and not being paranoid about people coughing or sneezing.  I look forward to not wearing a mask when I go to the doctor’s office and just go out in general.  I look forward to taking out the trash and for Keli not to have to do those types of chores around the house.  I look forward to golfing.  I look forward to regaining my strength in my arms where I have been told not to lift anything over five pounds.  I look forward to shaking peoples’ hands.  I look forward to hugging people.  I look forward to life…just living with the assurance I do not have cancer.

I know there will be several years of checking up on me.  As a matter of fact, I will be receiving bone marrow biopsies several times in the next several years.  I am aware that Dr. Berdeja will not just send me on my merry way, but I am confident that I will be a survivor who lives a long and healthy life.  That is the faith I have and the confidence upon which I hold.  The journey will continue on in many ways, but it will be a different type of journey.  It will be a maintenance journey and not a restoration of life journey.  That is why I say we are all on a journey.  Everyone’s is unique, but we are all looking to the Lord for guidance and direction as we put our faith in Him.

I missed not being at church this morning.  I have been in prayer for the services this morning asking that people open their hearts and minds to the Lord to be transformed more into His image.  I pray that you were transformed more into His image today.

Blessings,

Sam

Coffee with Bentley…

Well, the two men of the house are up and at it…Me and Bentley Van Schnauzer.  Bentley, of course , is our schnauzer.  Today is a big day of testing…CT Sinus, CT Chest, PFT’s, EKG, and an Echocardiogram.  The tests start at 11:00 am and there was the “no food or drink 6 hours before” rule that I am having to follow.  Since I woke up at 4:15, I thought…I will go have breakfast.  So after walking the “main man,” I had my breakfast and coffee and Bentley stayed by my side.  I think he was hoping I would put him back in his crate so he could go back to sleep.

I am not nervous or anxious about today’s tests, but excited to receive affirmation that everything is good to go for the transplant.  I feel good and energetic this morning.  It is awesome how God’s hand continues to work daily in my journey.  Let me tell you about yesterday.

Yesterday morning we arrived at the hospital at 7:00 am for my bone marrow biopsy.  I was hoping to be finished and back home resting by 9:30, or so.  Although we didn’t have a clinic visit scheduled to check my counts, we asked the biopsy surgeon if he would let my doctor know my platelets count and hemoglobin count.  I received platelets last Friday, but I knew that my count wasn’t too high on Friday and that right now counts are dropping pretty quickly.  We were told, at first, that they usually do not get any results until later in the day.  God is so good.  By the time I came back to my little holding room where Keli and Bella were waiting for me (around 8:30), the nurse had given Keli my counts.  The counts were below my threshold which meant I would need 2 units of blood and a unit of platelets.  This translated into being at the hospital an additional 8 hours.  I had some bleeding from the biopsy site and they moved me from the infusion room with reclining chairs to a regular room.  It was wonderful.  I was able to lay in bed to receive both units of blood and put pressure on the area of the biopsy to stop any bleeding.

I am on day 15 of the last consolidation chemotherapy and counts should start rising in the next few days.  A patient bottoms out around day 12 to day 14.  My prayer is that the infusions I received yesterday will be a boost for counts to go up.  I am amazed at how good I feel this time following the last chemotherapy. I must admit that I have taken it much easier and not overdone it.  I learned that lesson the last time and won’t make that mistake again.

In the process of preparing for a transplant, one of the “tests” is a psychological evaluation/assessment.  That will take place tomorrow morning.  I hope I pass.  Seriously, I am so thankful for how thorough the doctors are in preparing me for the transplant.  We have prayed for this since first finding out my diagnosis and God’s hand has guided, protected, and been so evident all along the journey.  I understand the scripture that says “He will never leave you or forsake you.”  Even in the emotionally darker times of this journey, God was with me…holding me in His hands.  Being held in His hands is the image of my relationship with Him that He has given me from the beginning.  When I picture it…I cry.  When I realize the reality that the Creator is gently holding me, I rejoice.  I praise the Lord for His presence all around me.

These days of testing and preparation for the transplant seem to be passing by quickly.  I look forward to not having appointments the first couple weeks of February.  It will be nice to have the emotional release from not having daily visits to the doctor.  Until then, I will be a good patient…wear my mask and take all the precautions not to get an infection.  I say it often, but the sincerity is deeper every time it is said…thank you for your prayers and support.  Church friends, starting with the Matthias family last night, are bringing in meals this week because they know how big of a week this is for our family.  The chili was wonderful, Rob and Tiffany.  Those acts of grace/kindness mean more to a person than you will ever know.  The Lord truly does work through His people.  I pray that I am a vessel He will use to extend grace and compassion to others.

Blessings,

Sam

Precious gifts…

Wow…what a week this has been.  Keli and I have been going to the doctor’s office everyday for the last several days and yesterday we were there from 8:30 until 5:30.  Keli is working today and I am so thankful she has such a supporting group of friends who she loves to work with at Centennial.  I hope it is a good day for her as she doesn’t have to think of doctor’s appointments for me and just the overall tiring effect of going from one appointment to another.  Work is a precious gift for Keli.  Just like I have been able to work from the hospital and home, Keli is able to care for these precious little babies in the NICU and focus on something other than the physical journey we have been on these last few months. 

Wednesday night we had a call from a precious family in our church…the Eisman’s.  Rebecca, their youngest daughter, prepared for me a lock of hair from a recent haircut and wanted to bring it to me to help make a wig.  I was so touched by this precious little girl’s gift and I have a picture below of the back of the card she made for me.  What is especially powerful to me of this act of love is that I have not had a relationship with Rebecca in the past.  What I mean is that I understand that the faithfulness of the Eisman family to pray for me and talk about “Sam” led this precious little girl to think of a way she could help me.  I will keep her lock of her with all the cards of encouragement that have been given to me over the months.  I will look back in years to come and think of a little girl who said to herself, “what can I do to help this man,” and be reminded that it is the faith and love of a child that I hope I always have in my life.  Thank you, Rebecca, you touched my heart this week with your precious gift.

Thursday and Friday brought the gift of assurance and comfort from the Holy Spirit.  Keli and I went to a group meeting for a few hours on Thursday and then had individualized meetings with multiple medical staff on Friday.  These were days filled with much information about the transplant, itself, and what I should expect in the coming months.  I learned about the additional chemotherapy that I will be receiving and about how quickly Steve’s immune system will start grafting with mine and eventually take over the bone marrow production.   Rather than being afraid by all the information, I was encouraged.  That was the gift from the Spirit…encouragement.  I praise the Lord for being so present in my mind and heart.  I cannot express to you how I do not understand how an unbeleiver can go through this type of journey.  My confidence is because of the Lord and the hope and trust I have in Him.  I sure don’t know what the future holds, but as a wonderful gospel song puts it, “but I know who holds my hand.”  Not only is He holding my hand, I picture myself actually resting in His arms and that gives me great hope as we move forward.

Donna Tudor, a colleague at Trevecca, also sent me a precious gift this week.  Donna shared with me the story of a friend’s daughter who has received a transplant and just this past fall was released from her doctor’s care because she is doing so well.  That is a testimony of God’s healing touch and I am so thankful for success stories of transplants.  Thank you, Donna, for ministering to me through sharing this with me.

One final story of God at work through His people this week…Emily Sullivan is singing a song at church tomorrow entitled, “God is Still Doing Great Things.”  She wrote to me a wonderful e-mail of grace sharing how as she practiced the song this week my journey came to her mind, as well as what God has done in her own life this past year.  God is at work and continues to move among His people and we can be so caught up in His work if we seek Him and open ourselves to the work of His Spirit.  Praise the Lord that we do not serve a God who put the world in motion and sits back to observe the movement.  We serve a God who is active among His people and continues to create and give life…new life and renewed life.  Get caught up in His creation that continues on and all of life will be changed. 

What I hope you sense from this post is that God’s work is very much through the relationships of His people in addition to His Spirit at work within and among us.  Rebecca, Donna, and Emily were instruments of His peace to me this week.  If these ladies had not acted on the prompting of the Spirit to share their hair or e-mails with me, I would not have heard from the Lord in very powerful ways.  It goes back to “compassionate presence” that I have spoken about for months.  Trust me, I am still trying to get my own hands around it, but it is actually fairly simple…if the Spirit prompts us to call, e-mail, give, cook, or whatever for someone who needs to hear from the Lord…let’s do it!  What you have done for the least of these, you have done for me…really is true.  Look for those people in your circle of influence that need to hear from the Lord and speak peace and encouragement into their lives.  I know it has made a difference in my life and continues to do so every time I read a message to a post.  It doesn’t have to be a big deal…as a matter of fact…people needing encouragement just like to hear the voice or read the words of someone they know.  Okay, you get the point.  

I get to spend the day with Bella since Keli is at work and Anna-Laura and Sophie are in Gatlinburg on a teen retreat.  I think we will be doing some crafts…that will be fun.  May the Lord bless you and your family.  Anticipate worship tomorrow as a time you will be transformed more into the image of Christ.  Open yourself to Him…ask Him to search you and transform you.

Blessings,

Sam

The date has been set…

February 25 will become my second birthday…the day of my stem cell transplant. Yesterday afternoon I was contacted by the doctor’s office with the calendar of events that will lead up to the transplant. WOW…it is going to be a busy couple of weeks. Starting tomorrow I have a doctor’s appointment or clinic visit or assessment visit scheduled for the next eight days. Included in the process is another bone marrow biopsy scheduled for next Monday morning. Of course…I asked for sedation.

My brother Steve starts his process at the end of this month. I would ask that you pray for Steve in these coming weeks that the Lord will go before him as he literally gives of himself so I can be cured. I love my brother so much and am so thankful that he has been full steam ahead the entire time since I was diagnosed with leukemia. We all have gifts and talents that the Lord has given us to use for His glory, but I have thought of the life that my brother will be giving to me and I am humbled deeply by the love he has for his baby brother. It will not be stem cells that you give to someone today that will give them life, but whatever it is you can give to others…give. God is glorified through our giving to each other.

My counts continue to drop from last week’s chemotherapy. Fortunately, I have a better understanding of my body and the cycle of recovery. I have been bothered today with nausea, but I have learned how to manage it much better, so it has not been near as bad as the last time I was recovering.

I was talking with Yori, a dear friend from church, this morning and was sharing with her what it means to have you as my support group. I am so thankful for all the encouraging words and prayers you offer on my behalf. I do not see how non-believers ever go through tragedies of life. May the Lord bless you and remember to give to someone today.

Blessings,
Sam

Home, Sweet, Home…

Keli and I are were on a fast mode this morning with the nurses to pack our bags and get on the road.  We actually arrived home before noon and were able to put our things away before the girls got home from church.  I am feeling well, Keli is out grocery shopping, and already life seems back to normal.  The greatest thing about coming home are the big hugs I receive from my girls.  Nothing feels better than to hold close to your heart the ones you love the most.

This week will include 3 visits to the clinic and much rest at home.  My counts will continue to drop in the coming days, so I must be very cautious in getting out or doing anything to risk getting an infection.  In other words, Sam needs to be a very good patient.  Here is the marvelous news.  I am done with consolidation chemotherapy.  Yippee!!!!!!!   After my counts come back up it is to the final chapter…stem cell transplant.  It is hard for me to believe that this journey has gone so fast, relatively speaking, and that I could be enjoying new DNA in a just a little over a month.  Wow!  God is so good.

This is a huge spring for the Green family.  Sophie gets her driver’s permit, Isabella turns twelve and gets her purity ring, and Anna-Laura is preparing for her trip to Bulgaria, Romania, and Kosovo with a group of Trevecca students.  I love life and that our girls have so many exciting things planned. 

I was told that church was wonderful this morning.  That was the first thing the girls told me about when they got home.  They said there was a beautiful moving of the Spirit.  Praise the Lord for His presence among His people.

I hope you have a wonderful week.  I will post every few days, but mainly be taking it easy.  May the Lord bless you.

Sam

The fever is gone…

It has been a great day in 3305.  I have gotten a “blood boost” of a couple units of blood today and that has given me more energy.  Everything is progressing the way I would have hoped and the short-lived fever from last night has not come around at all today.  God is so good.  From every indication, it is very cold outside.   I wouldn’t really know since I have been inside since Tuesday afternoon. 

Keli is working again today, so things are a little more quiet in the room.  Tim came earlier and brought me lunch and we spent some time together.  That was nice.  I am so blessed to have such a wonderful brother and family.  I love the phone calls I get from my family.  It shows how much they care and how they are thinking about me.  I love them all.

I have read my golf magazine which I got from my Secret Santa, Cathy Crump, at work today.  Even though it is winter, I am looking forward to getting back to the hobbies of life and golf is one of my favorites.  I will have to restrengthen my left shoulder.  After having the PICC line in there for so long, it is still very sore and I have lost some muscle mass.  Don’t worry, Art, I will be hitting my 2-iron like I have in the past…just give me some time.

If all goes as planned, I will receive my final two bags of chemo tonight at 6:00 and tomorrow morning at 6:00.  I then hope to be discharged from the hospital to go home to recover.  I will be coming to the clinic a few days a week in the next several weeks to have my blood counts checked, etc., but I am so confident today as I am moving closer to the stem cell transplant.

Well, even though I am a little drowsy from the medication for receiving blood, I am going to go for a walk.  It is good to get up and move around.  Thank you for your continued prayers and love.  I know I use that phrase often, but you have no idea what it means to me that you would love me so much to pray for me.  Thank you.

Blessings,

Sam