From good news to better news

We went to a doctor visit today in Dallas. Blood levels and bone marrow levels are stable, so we don't have to jump into a transplant immediately. He also let us know that a potentially perfect match will be available in Feb. (This person was not in the running before because they traveled to a country with malaria, but the waiting time is almost up.) Our current match is a 9/10, and the potential match is a 10/10. If this person passes the high-resolution testing, this could lessen the risks involved with the transplant. This all is very good news. If I'm not healed prior to the transplant, it looks like it would be scheduled for early March.

doctor visit

Tomorrow is our appt with the transplant doctor and another bone marrow bibopsy (anyone a Big Fat Greek Wedding fan?). Please pray for a normal biopsy. We'll get the results in a couple of weeks. Also pray that our spirits will stay happy. Doctor visits sometimes feel like a kick in the gut, and I don't want us to succumb to what we see or hear but to what is possible through His goodness.

Healing in progress...one way or another

A few significant things have happened.

Our sweet 4 lb. 11 oz. baby boy just turned 5-years-old on Nov. 8. I'm not sure how that happened so quickly. All of a sudden, we are preparing him for kindergarten and the big wide world. My favorite Cade quote is now, "What took you so fast?"

Last week Mom and Dad took care of the children for us while we attended a school of healing. This was outside of our church culture, but the knowledge and experience of the way that the Lord heals today has been something that we have been pursuing for maybe the last five years. With my health issues, it was crunch time! These four days were devoted to prayer, worship and the deepening of a relationship with Him. The people at the conference were just regular people from all types of backgrounds and all ages. During the day, people that were interested in acquiring knowledge and experience attended, and at night it was opened to the general public, many of whom were obviously in need of healing. We were amazed. I don't think that I will ever be able to look at the Bible (or the Lord Himself for that matter) in the same way. I feel that I need to re-read with my new perspective after the scriptures of healing came alive in flesh in our midst.

Well, was I healed? We are confident that this is probable. On Monday, I will have a blood draw. We took just about every opportunity for prayer available, and we saw the Lord in His compassion at work in other people. Truly amazing.

Also significant is the phone call that I received yesterday. A nearly perfect match was found. This person has made the final cut. All I know about them is that they are living in the United States. We are thankful. I'm a bit hesitant in jumping for joy. A bone marrow transplant is a wonderful thing, and again, I say we are thankful. At the same time, remember that this is very risky, uncomfortable (for the recipient) and a very long process. I'm not going to dwell on this, but please understand that I'm not giggly about it. Also, please take caution when around my children and speak wisely.

We have a doctor's appointment for the first week in December with yet another bone marrow biopsy the same day. It will take two weeks to read the biopsy.

Have I mentioned how grateful we are for all of you who pray and who check in on us? You guys are the bestest. Keep it up. Remember to pray for HEALING-- the contingency plans can wait!

Good thing

I just want to mention to all who have been able to join the Be the Match registry (and to those who wanted to but were not able) that at least two people that I know of have been contacted for other patients who need bone marrow transplants. Please pray that they will get the opportunity to help. Praise God for His provision.

Bad computers, Better platelets and Crawling Lobsters

We've had some trouble with our internet router lately, so between that and missing keys on our laptop, communication has been poor. In addition, we are in a waiting period that could change in a heartbeat with a telephone call from the bone marrow registry with a match or a simple healing touch from the Lord (or both).

We have some good news to report. My platelet count went up this month from the 40s to the 60s! Thank you, Lord! That is going in the right direction.

In other developments, the zebra chair is basted together and functioning well, the kiddos had a blast as a happy ghost(complete with a Sharpied smiley face), Scooby Doo (minus the irritating mask), and a very well adjusted lobster/crawdad that was adorable when her antennae wiggled as she crawled. My U.I.L. journalism coach/cousin would have had a field day with her red pen on that last sentence!

Freedom for captives

I had a wonderfully strange dream last night. The symbolism is obvious, so I'll spare you the commentary. I was buff and stocky and walking around in very dreary gray 5-6 story building. In walked four people of graduated sizes, and they were shackled. They were buff and stocky, too--even the one that was 2 feet high. Fear came over me, and I somehow obtained an automatic weapon and found a hiding spot. I was cornered, and I knew that at any time I could be shot, and I didn't have any way to help the others. All of the sudden, the building opened up from the walls in a lot of places, and people started streaming out, including the four who were shackled. I knew that I didn't need the weapon any more. I woke up, and realized that Zane had found his way into our bed, and we were "spooning". I picked him up and took him back to his room, very thankful that I didn't wake before the end of the dream. I had an incredible peaceful feeling come over me.

Our help

We wait in hope for the Lord;
He is our help and our shield.
Psalm 33:20

We have received so much encouragement today. So many have responded to the call for the bone marrow registry (www.marrow.org), and I am confident that this is a good thing. In all of this, we realize the importance of looking at a bigger picture that just us and our family. I don't mind at all asking the Lord for help for me, but at the same time, it is wonderful to see something good come out of all of this junk for others as well. This registry drive has the potential to help hundreds of other people in my situation over the course of years. May His name be glorified. May He be called good.

We wait, but we're not exactly sitting by the phone. Zane is getting quicker and savvier. A can opener and a can of Spaghetti-Os...coffee grounds in various containers....a package of hot dogs and kitchen shears. That was all just today. Maybe he will be a chef one day. A very quick chef.

Cade loved his new karate class. "I got all sweaty!", he said, beaming.

Avi is taking full advantage of Zane's generous spirit. She can fuss and look at him, and he will give her a bite of whatever he is chomping on. After I picked them up at Mother's Day Out today, he shared a bite of his banana with her in the car. It was quite messy, so I had to grit my teeth to commend him.

We've started the medical path, so I keep forgetting to ask the Lord to just simply heal me. I know He can, so I'm asking that He will. I am so thankful for all of you who are asking with me. I picture myself as the woman who touched Jesus' garment in anticipation of a miracle. He's that good.