Last week Christi and I traveled to see my doctors at MD Anderson. I had not been there since October. This visit was markedly different, too. Last time, I went by myself and was able to negotiate all the obstacles of traveling and appointments. This time, I needed the help of my loving wife for just about everything.
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A Difficult Journey
The flight out was very difficult. My hemoglobin (red blood cells that carry oxygen to the muscles) was low and my body still very weak, so I had to ride a cart between gates. Getting on and off the plane was an ordeal. We did have a bit of luck, though. Our flight from Lexington was overweight, so we volunteered for a different flight and actually got to Houston earlier. Plus, we received enough travel credit for two tickets to Sonoma, our favorite place to go together, to use when I’m healthy enough.
The two days we spent at the hospital were a whirlwind. I was scheduled for a bone marrow biopsy on Tuesday morning. When the nurse checked my vitals, however, my blood pressure was too high. We would spend the next two days trying to lower it enough for the biopsy. Finally, after three previous attempts, my blood pressure got just low enough to go under the needle. It was the last available appointment before we had to leave. By God’s grace, it was also the least painful of seventeen biopsies I’ve had. I didn’t even feel the Lidocaine.
I saw several doctors and an ophthalmologist who specializes in GVHD, had a pulmonary function test, and several blood tests. My lab work showed that my hemoglobin and platelets were very low. I had a blood transfusion on Tuesday night and was there until 10 pm, but afterward I felt like a new man. Platelets came Wednesday night, but I was done earlier, about eight.
One of the best things to come from an otherwise very stressful trip happened the second day. I asked my doctor about eating previously restricted foods—salads, soft cheeses, and other things that I like but were off-limits. To my pleasant surprise she said “yes”. I immediately started planning where and what I was going to eat next. I wanted to order a Jimmy John’s Beach Club, but it didn’t work out. I fulfilled my new found culinary freedom at the TGI Friday’s in the Dallas-Ft. Worth Airport with a juicy Jack Daniel’s burger with all the fixin’s.
Our return trip was uneventful and much easier. I had more energy and we boarded each flight early, which really helped. We arrived home about 7:30 pm, exhausted but very happy to see our girls.
Worth the Struggle
I was surprised to get an email from my transplant doctor on Saturday morning. She started by telling me that my magnesium levels were low and to increase my dosage. OK, that’s a fairly innocuous thing.
It was the next sentence that struck me.
“Also we have the results of your bone marrow [results] back. I am pleased to report that your residual blast percentage is less than before and FLT3 ITD is stable.”
Translation: you’re still in remission.
Joy! Praises! Relief. Guilt for doubting. Humility for knowing that I had nothing to do with this. It’s all from God’s power. It’s been over four months since my last biopsy and two months since chemo. So, to be stable after this long is very encouraging.
To be sure, I have a long way to go. I weigh less than a hundred-twenty pounds and am very weak. My eyes are still very limiting, my blood counts remain low, and high blood pressure is a threat. My kidneys and lungs need healing.
But, I’m in remission, man! None of these ailments changes the outcome. I am being healed. I don’t know why it’s taking so long and I have to endure so many complications, but I don’t have to have a reason. God has promised healing and that’s enough for me.
“No, I will not break my covenant. I will not take back a single word I said.” (Psalms 89:34 NLT)
Amen!!