Rick had his follow-up appointment with Dr. Mahmood this morning. As we waited for his turn, I felt the struggle upon Rick, the daily poking and prodding, shots and blood tests had begun to weigh heavy on him. Since his release last Sunday, injections of Neupogen and CBC tests have been the daily agenda. Today, he just wasn't so game for it all. This is hard at times, and harder at others.
I thank GOD for Julianne, a very special nurse we have made friends with. She takes care of Rick most visits and she truly is a breath of fresh air! From our very first visit, we have had the opportunity to get to know her through the humor Rick immediately brought to the table. Her compassion and realness gives us peace and encouragement. Julianne continues to play an upbeat role in our time spent at Dr. M's office. We are truly blessed by her care and her heart.
Loving nurses make a difference. So, it wasn't long before Rick was back to his same silly self, taking life as it comes.
Our time with Dr. Mahmood went very well! He is very pleased with how Rick is coming along with all things considered. Today his WBC was 3,500 as compared to 10,000 yesterday, so Dr. M thought best to give Rick 1 injection of Neulasta instead of Neupogen the rest of the week, which helps assist growth of white cells and really give 'em a boost. After considering the results from the last Neulasta shot (his WBC sky-rocketed to 92,000 along with severe back pain), we were in agreement this would be best than to continue relying on Neupogen every day. This made Rick very happy!--no more shots this week.
(We are praying for the LORD to do His healing work in Rick's blood and body as well as protect him from severe bone pain.)
With 2 months under our belt, it was so AWESOME to hear Dr. Mahmood's reply after explaining to us Rick's Complete Blood Count (CBC). "...Looking at these numbers, you would never think he is a Mantle Cell patient..." With elated joy and immediacy, I said to Dr. M, "Can I hug you?!" What delight in receiving the good news of hope! What joy in celebrating victory!
Before Rick & I were taken back, we prayed together in the waiting room. I prayed the words from Philippians 4:6-7, "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." God tells us to pray to Him about everything, all the time, with gratitude, and He promises to give us His peace that is bigger than we are able to comprehend, and this peace of His will protect our minds & hearts in Christ! Yes!
So we receive with overwhelming joy and thanksgiving, the gifts of His promise. GOD'S peace is unmatchable! As we continue seeking comfort and strength from our precious LORD, Jesus, we receive His grace and miracles daily. Not an hour goes by that we aren't reminded of His great true love.
Our deepest gratitude to you for following us in this journey; for walking with us, fighting with us and believing with us. No soldier wins a battle alone. Your love is great!
We greatly appreciate your prayers for continued peace in our trial and strength to endure whatever GOD has layed out for Rick and our family. May He in His perfect timing and sovereign power, heal Rick completely. We also pray for you. May His love be with you all the more.
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. Eph. 3:14-21
May GOD bless you for your love.
Life & peace in Jesus,
Dana
What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus, my Lord.
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