September 13, 2011
Yesterday night I took my last Chemo pills for this round of treatment. Thus my blood counts, at this stage, are at their lowest, which was anticipated. I do not have much energy. I have to go the hospital today to get some transfusions. The best part is that I do not have fever, body aches or pain, which are typical side effects of Chemo. PTL. The only thing is I lack energy … I feel slow … tired … not in a mood to do much or see anyone. I had to force myself this morning to update my blog. But, as I said, all in all, I am doing great. I have no complaints.
More good news, the Transplant department has officially requested that I become their patient. They have requested that I do not undergo another Chemo session with the Leukemia department (they have a special one for me – hmmm). But it’s all good news, one less Chemo treatment. PTL. So far, I am on track for a transplant by the first week of October.
More blessed news, a few days ago I had fever and thus was getting ready to go to the ER. All cancer patients in remission are requested to do so. We are not allowed to take any fever reducing medication. The family started discussing and debating the “official” meaning of fever (of course Dr. Raad was not home) … is it 100.4 or 100.5, etc … at one point one of the thermometers read 100.9 so everyone was panicking (we were using 3 types of thermostats ear, mouth and mercury) 🙂 While the discussions were taking place and chaos ruling, I asked everyone to “stop” … as I approached my dear mother, who was sitting in the corner and told her, “you are my mother, take me to the Lord”. Everything halted. Everyone was calm. I could see a hint of tears in her eyes as I sat at her feet and she placed her innocent, gentle hands on my head. She then took me, with her angelic voice, to the Lord. It was a mother carrying her son to Jesus. Once done, I sat on the couch and within minutes, the fever was gone. PTL
Sometimes His Will is to physically heal us, sometimes His grace is sufficient. However, He always provides spiritual healing. Our duty is to just come in full faith and trust that His Will is best for us. Amen.
Sami Lahoud 
oh sami, this time u made me cry!…thanks God that “im sami” is near u…she is so brave and courageous too.
bon courage pour les jours et les semaines a venir.
bises
Wow…this just leaves me speechless. At your Moms feet for prayer! You guys are amazing!!!!!!!
Sami habibi thank you for all the efforts you are making to write us all these details,, we are with you with all our love , thoughts and prayers. Love to you all and to Wadad.
What a great mother you have. A prayer worrier who liftedyou up to the Lord from the day you were born and her prayers got u throught more firey situiations through the years and I am sure it will get u through this too…
love u and love your mom
The apple does not fall far from the tree Samsoum!
With Wadad on your side and a3mo Samir (Allah yerhamo) as your Angel on your shoulders, what do you expect???
Miracle after the other Habibi, but wait! It is only the beginning… The real good stuff hasn’t started yet…
I love you Habibi
Sami,…..it appears you have a great family supporting you. Thank God for that. Know that I am praying for you and I am so appreciative for EVERYTHING you have done for me and my career at XOM. Much luv!
Sami, راح الكثير ولم يبقى الا القليل be strong. you are in our prayer day and night, even Cynthia, she pray for you every day before sleeping. الرب يكمل شفاءك ونشوف وجهك بألف خير
Dear Sami, I am crying now – no comments. We love you so much.
Prayer of faith. Man of faith. Keep it up. Just been reading a devotion on moses and the copper snake. Those who looked at it and believed were healed. Just looking.. Just believing. And from what I read you are surely looking and believing. God is the same great God. In prayer. For u, your mother, wife and lovely encouraging family
I am reading your blog everyday and praying for you every single night and I have faith
that god will listen to my prayers and you are going to recover soon miracles or prayers always works and god be with you and your family and best regards to Mrs. Lahoud and
Lamia.
N.B. I love to read your blog as I learned from it to be strong when faced with sudden problems in life and you are really very religious man and have faith in Jesus God Bless
you and your dear family.
Samira Kolo
Sami Habibi
your Wonderful words make me cry
Mothers finest thing in the presence
You will see excellent results soon
And prayers to God continually, day and night to Protect from all evil & Keep you in good health and wellness
And bless you with healing, soon
We all love you
Sami,
GRACE and MERCY is all I can say. Reading this blog post was so phopetic to me. The last couple of sentences made me break down in tears bc it hit me like a ton of bricks, that our GOD is AWESOME and the touch of a praying mom in a time of need is so powerful. Love ya and you & your family are in my prayers…
well well well alls well that ends well. I am amazed intriged and dazzled by your faithfullness and not in doubt whatsoever by the lord’s faithfulness. Waddad and lamia are both my god mothers, issam is my big bother and you are my inspiration. Always have been and always will be. Since mid July, I have prayed for you in harissa, mar charbel, st joseph oratory in montreal, notre dame church in montreal and paris and with Nayla in my modest house in Beirut. we prayed together me and hani asfour in the church in dhour chweir and also in our church, national evangelical church of beirut.
Remember that god has incribed us on the palm of his hands. Our name is incribed on the cross next to him and he will give us peace.
onward christian soldier
Will keep praying for energy, encouragment and inspiration
Hi,this is Marie-Rose,your mom is my principal at the school in Baabda,I have been touched with your words.All our prayers here in Lebanon are with you.Your mom is a hero,she’s always there for everybody. She’s going to be your rock like Peter was to the Christians. You are in good hands with the Lord and your mom… God be with you and trust me you are a special person to Him…
إلى الأخ العزيز الطيب، سامي: إن قلبك الّذي يتدفّق نورا، يعطي للحياة معنى جديدا لم أكن أحلم أن أحسه أو حتى أتلمّسه، ونبلك وخفة ظلك ـ وسط الألم ـ جعلاني أصmمت متأمّلة عجائب هذا الكون علمتني الشجاعة مهما حلكت الظلمات، علمتني أن الفرح يتجلّى في الثقة والقرب من الله. فإيمانك الثابت ايمنح السلام للروح والفؤاد، كيف لا؟ ألست أنت ابن الملَك “الملاك” ذات الحضن الدافئ التي وهبه الله دواء لك؟ فهنيئا لكم ولنا بها وأرجو المعذرة منكم جميعا، لأنني عاجزة و عن وصف تلك الرقيقة في عليائها. وأخيرا أقول لكم: أنا أحبكم. ك فقط، أيقنت أنني صغيرة وصغيرة جدا أمام كبرك في تواضعك. يا سامي: أنت المعلّم الحقيقيّ صدقني، علمتني الصبر مهما ع ظمت المعضلات، مريم.
I am Laudy Jardak, a student and a daughter of Mrs. Lahoud, for she was and is still a real mother to me. She had always made me great things, and I always thanked her saying “I can’t thank you, but God will reward you”. She always said “God had already rewarded me”. Dear Sami, now I understood what she meant and what she profesied of; that is God has given you back alive to her. When I first heard of your illness, I wept and prayed for God heartfully, but now I thank, praise and glorify God for his work is completed. I dream to hear your real manly voice witnessing for God in Lebanon. Please say hello to your mother and tell her that I miss her. I am waiting for the final results to celebrate.
shine jesus shine fill this land with the fathers glory blaze spirit blaze
Hi Sami,
This is Minh N. Huynh, UTeCer, Rhonda told me about your situation, our prayers are with you and your family.
Take good care of yourself, see you at work soon.
Sami you are so inspiring to all of us!! I love reading your blog entries (Jacqueline just told me about your blog this past week) I truly enjoy reading them and Praise God for His uplifting you and carrying you so gracefully thru this journey.. Your sense of humor and cheerful disposition are like a fresh spring in the dessert we call LIFE! May God continue to bless you and may he give you exactly the strength that you need everyday to get through this one step at a time:) We thank Him for the angels that he has placed in our lives.. you are one of them:)
Hi Sami,
Good Luck and God Bless. Stay strong and keep up with the good sense of humor. All will be fine as per God’s will.
Samsoum, I love you… What a blessing you are.. Hugs and kisses.