August 11, 2011
[UPDATE 10:00pm: IT IS CONFIRMED THAT PLATELETS CANNOT BE STORED FOR MORE THAN A DAY. ACCORDINGLY, WE WILL NEED TO PLAN ONE PLATELETS DONOR A DAY. JACQUELINE WILL HANDLE THE SCHEDULE TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE NO CONFLICTS OR MISSING DAYS. HER CELL IS 832-606-3243. PLEASE CALL HER IF YOU ALREADY SCHEDULED A DAY SO SHE CAN UPDATE THE CALENDAR, OR IF YOU NEED TO SCHEDULE A DAY- DON’T FORGET TO MENTION THAT THE DONATION IS FOR SAMI LAHOUD MRN 0890098 🙂 ] -Thank you!
[ UPDATE 3:21pm: YOUR RESPONSE WAS OVERWHELMING. THANK YOU. SO FAR WE ARE COVERED FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS. WE DISCOVERED THAT WE CANNOT GIVE PLATELETS TOO MUCH IN ADVANCE. THEY SHOULD BE CAREFULLY SCHEDULED. ACCORDINGLY, WE ARE GOING TO COME UP WITH A SCHEDULE THAT WOULD MAKE IT EASIER ON ALL ] – Thank you
Yesterday I was very tired and could not blog. My Platelets count was very low. I was asked to stay in bed as much as possible and be very careful walking around not to bounce into anything. Any bleeding, small or big, could be a disaster. The doctors concluded that I am having problem with the doses of Platelets I am getting since they are not from a single donor. You see, when different people give blood, the blood center separates their Platelets and then joins them as one Platelets dose. As an example, if I give blood, they would separate my platelets and combine it with the Platelets of 8 other blood donors to make a dose. That will make a mixed Platelets dose. However, if I come to the blood center and request to give a Platelets dose, they will only focus on getting Platelets from my blood until they have a dose. It takes 8 blood donations to add one Platelets dose vs 1 Platelet donation equals one Platelets dose. Individuals can donate a Platelets dose every two days vs donate blood every 8 weeks. What I was told I need is Platelets from one donor for each time I need a dose. Blood type does not matter. Different donors each time does not matter. It’s just that when I get my Platelets dose it has to be from one donor. So with this in mind (and I feel guilty asking) we are looking for volunteers in “Houston” who are willing to donate a Platelets dose at MD Anderson, under my name, so I end up getting single donor Platelet doses when needed (so far its been every day). Please if you do give Platelets in my name, keep us informed via this blog or email so we can track how many we have. Again, I feel guilty asking … but I have no choice. On a brighter side, I am able to eat and drink normally, which is priceless, so I cannot complain, but rather just PTL since His mercies endures forever !
If you are able and willing to give a Platelets dose, here’s more information
You have to mention that it is for Sami Lahoud MRN 0890098
Platelet Donors: Must be at least 17 years old, healthy and within 48 hours prior to donating platelets refrained from taking aspirin / aspirin-containing products such as: ibuprofen, Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, Excedrin, Aleve and herbal supplements containing garlique, ginseng, ginkgo biloba or ginger. Airborne is included because it contains ginger. Energy drinks that contain any of the previous products will also defer you for 48 hours for platelet donations. Travel: You cannot donate if you have traveled in the past year to an area that is considered to be high risk for malaria as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Location : MD Anderson Blood Bank
Blood Donor Center – Holly Hall
2555 Holly Hall (just east of Almeda)
Houston, TX 77054
Free parking available
Hours: Monday – Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday – Sunday: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Phone: (713) 792-7777
Philippians 1:3
Sami Lahoud 
Hi Sami. We are all praying for your recovery and hope you get better soon. I will spread the word for the need for platelets. I traveled to malaria risk countries several times this year so unfortunately I am unable to donate, but will ask friends and family.
Do they take blood donations from Lebanon??? I would be at MDA this very hour…..kills me that I’m not with you, Khalo……
Sami, Of course my prayers are with you and your family. Your messages and high spirits are an inspiration. I just tried donating platelets at MDA Blood Bank, but was denied due to having lived in the United Kingdom in the 80’s. As FYI for those wanting to donate that I learned while at the Blood Bank… donors should eat w/in the past 4 hours and although walk-ins are accepted, they suggested calling ahead.
My beloved as much as I hate needles, I’ll get in line 4u. Need to get off my asprin regimen. I owe u BIG khalo or is it the other way around ;-).
Madhuri & I are praying for you to get well soon. We wish we could help you from here but all we can do is ask our Houston friends to donate and to pray for you.
Sami… you are known for facing adversity without fear, and now you have an army behind you willing to back you up during this test without a single doubt. Your faith humbles me and inspires admiration. Veronica and I are praying for you. The donation center was full for the day, but I will be there tomorrow.
Dear Boss
please you have to tell us directly if you need anything, we are ready to donate, but please if anybody tell us the procedure, how can we transport from Iraq or something like that, again Boss we are ready please. Our Doaa for you,take care about your self,
greetings
Stay encouraged dear brother. The battle belongs to The Lord.I am scheduled today at 6pm to donate platelets.
You have had my steadfast prayers since your first email. I got your 2nd email today. I read your blog (for the 1st time) and await your schedule. You need my platelets, you have them. You need my blood, you have it. You need my bone marrow, you have it.
Rob
I am scheduled for 11am tomorrow. I made the appt as soon as I saw the email. Do I need to cancel? KRR
Sami, do you know if someone who has had cancer can donate platelets? I can’t donate blood because of that.
Diane Burnett
You have not because you ask not, ask and it shall be given to you…that’s scripture. Sami you are a giver…now learn to be a receiver. You are healed. Release your faith by speaking what you want to see!!!
Dear Sami,
Know that we are praying for you and your family daily. I will get with Jacqueline to get on the platelets calendar. I’m a big chicken and have never donated even blood, but for you, I’ll do it. Jacqueline just told me of this site today and I’m blessed to see your reports. Do let us know if there is anything you want or need…and don’t feel bad about asking; since we can’t drop in and we can’t call, we wouldn’t we know without you posting it.
Sami, my brother!
I called my doctor this morning to check with her about my recent labs from my physical. I told her I wanted to donate my platelets and was my blood good. She called me back and said my blood was perfect and I had plenty of platelets to share my friend. I will call Jackie and get on the list to donate. We are praying for all of you. You rest so you can get your strength back and bask in the glory of the Lord’s healing power and we will now step up to be used as instruments of healing. We love you and can’t wait til you can come home to be with your family. I cannot tell you how it thrilled my soul to be able to do this for you. You are our brother and Jacqueline our sister! I only wish I knew how to say it in Lebanese!! But love in any language, in Christ, means the same. I claim healing, in Christ, through Christ, and by the Blood of Christ for you Sami, God’s faithful and true servant! AMEN!!
I gave platelets today so make sure you get it.
My Dear Friend,
I am unable to donate due to living in the UK pre-1980’s (mad cow), but I will put my network into action. We will get you platelets!
You are in my thoughts and prayers more than daily. You have always inspired whatever organization you belong to, and now is no different. Your perspectives and positive outlook during this tough time are once again are inspiring.
Do NOT feel bad asking for anything! You have done so much for us, and I know we welcome the chance to do something for you in return. Ask, and we will find it for you!!
More to come!
Margaret
good mornong my dear brother
Joshua 1:5-6
No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. 6 Be strong and of good courage
here is a vverse God gave me this morning and it calmed m heart I am sure it will calm ur heart too
love ou soooooooooooooo much samsoum and let me tell u ur testimonies every day are strengthening my failing faith
master I told you before I’m ready to do this donation , just let anybody tell me about the procedure and you will see what can we do . my lord sami next commit in Arabic lang.
inshaalah
please ask Robert about it and he will tell me . please please give me a chance DADI
I LOVE U
here is my devotion for this morning…. ( Copied from my daily devotion)
This is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are quite small and won’t last very long, but they will produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever! So we don’t look at the trouble we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NLT)
God is more interested in what you are becoming than what you accomplish.
Why do bad things happen to good people? Why is life so difficult sometimes? Don’t be surprised if God is using tough times in your life to test your faithfulness.
Faithful people keep on keeping on when other people want to give up. Faithful people are diligent and determined. They are persistent.
In 2 Corinthians 4, Paul says you need to get the right perspective when you are going through a problem. Don’t look at the temporary problem; look at the long-term reward. Don’t look at the temporary pain; look at the long-term gain. Don’t look at it with the short-term view, “What’s happening to me right now?” Instead, look at the character that you are building because you haven’t given up. You’re hanging in there.
God is more interested in what you are becoming than what you accomplish.
If you are facing difficult times right now, I want to challenge you to write this verse on a 3×5 card and memorize it: “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up” (Galatians 6:9 NLT).
I pray it will encourage you to keep going. You will be rewarded!
Wow, you are beloved…told you the response would be amazing! Never are the righteous forsaken. You have served well “grasshopper” and now be still and see the Lord’s hand at work. The outpouring of friends, brothers and sisters more than willing to give platelets, blood, bone marrow or whatever u need!!
My travel along with the heart meds won’t allow me to donate. But given into your measure pressed down, shaken together and even running over are friends lining up to give!
Bless the LORD for he alone is Good. Amen. Love you dearly, my beloved!!
hi sami, i just called jaco and she gave me the name of this blog. i called her…she encouraged me!!! how a blessed and…”crazy” family u r! 🙂 now i am reading ur blog…it is very comforting to see how u r facing this! really thanks lord for this. i will keep reading the blog…now and later, even if Miled will come tonight and the dinner will not be ready! 🙂 yostofil, c’est son probleme! 🙂 bisous
Sami, just called your wife and am signed up for Monday.
Angie Harris
Sami, I have sent an email to my Sunday School class to ask for donations and I know of one person already who is wanting to donate. Unfortunately since Brad and I lived in the UK we are unable to donate. Please keep us informed if you need more donations and we will be looking out for you. Continuing to pray for healing and support during these days. You are an inspiration to us all. God Bless you and your family.
Sami – I think of you everyday. You have always been an inspiration and continue to be. Unfortunately I cannot donate…so I’ve delegated it to my husband Steve (like always). He was planning to go tomorrow but will hold off until we’re able to get scheduled with Jacqueline. He can donate as often as you need as his schedule is very flexible.
Dear Sami,
I spoke with Jackie and I am on the schedule for Tuesday!! My doctor told me with my platelet count they might be able to get two donations worth at one time. Praise God!!! I am there for you my brother in Christ. May God bless you and keep and may His angels be ever at your side through the night……
Love,
Neala, Joe and Bronwyn and Mary Anne