September 19, 2011
All my blood related numbers are going back to their normal range fairly quickly. PTL. I no longer need antibiotics. My energy and appetite are back. Actually, I started using the treadmill and doing push-ups again. What a blessing. This is expected to last until I am admitted to MDA for my Bone Marrow Transplant. Currently the date has been tentatively set for Oct 7th. The insurance company called me to confirm that they had approved the treatment. PTL.
Jacqueline and I met with the Transplant doctor and he shared some very interesting info with us. In summary, the process entails me getting, believe it or not, 5 days of the harshest intense Chemo in order to totally clear/clean my Bone Marrow. Once done, I will then get my Donor’s Stem Cells (and actually end up with their blood type). The Doctor then laid the numbers down. 60% of the patients will be totally healed, 20% will revert back to where they were and 20% will expire. Ok … I had two questions. I wanted to know if the 60% was industry wide. He said that the industry had a 50% success rate, however, his was 60% (hmm … interesting. All of a sudden I liked him a bit). I also wanted to find out what caused the 40% to fail … he had too many reasons. Well … that was it for now.
If you think about it, all 60% were successful. That is way too cool. All 100% of the 60 made it. I am comforted by that 100% 🙂
I was watching TV Sunday morning (since I cannot go to Church) and the Pastor mentioned a very key verse that spoke to my heart. It was a verse that my Sunday school teacher, Aunty Selma Nasser, gave me when I was almost 10 years old. She said (and I can still see her face) “Sami this verse is for you. Memorize it. Do not forget it.” She even wrote it on my Bible. It is Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” When life does not make sense, remember He is in control. Do not rely on your own limited understanding. Just trust Him and He will make your path straight. Again, I found myself in another Déjà vu. Why me worry? … If the Lord is for me, who can be against me. Since He approved this Journey, I have no reason to worry ! PTL
I cannot thank you enough for your prayers. I count on them. I need them.
Philippians 1:3
Sami Lahoud 
Sami,
Your words are always such a blessing. Thank you for sharing your journey with us. We are praying for you.
All the best,
Trudi
Kisses for you & jako. الرب طيّب، وكل وعوده صادقة وامينة، هو هو امس واليوم والى الابد، والرب يكمل شفاءك الى التمام ونرى وجوهكم بألف خير. And thank you for all your effort to let us up to date.
hi sami and jaco, i am glad to read this update, in fact the first thing i make every morning is to check ur blog 🙂 God is good and u r going to see miracles…Really, as say many friends: reading ur blog and getting informed of what ur r facing, make us stronger, we r seeing miracles in u! nochkor alla…hugs and kisses (just to jaco and the kids, since u r not allowed to such things! :)) et bon courage habibi. bisous
My beloved… Once again thx God for memory. Being able to reflect and refocus is priceless. Keep on pressing forward knowing that you are delivered. Love u much!!
My computer login at work for these nine weeks is RAPHA, God my healer. Each morning when I get to work I type it in and I am reminded of His promises and His love for you.
I love you so much and will go to the moon and back for you habibi.
Your entries always make us smile! Stay strong and positive, we are thinking about you and praying for you often!
Great news Samsoum, you will have 100% success of the 60%! God willing
You know, every time you tell us that you need our prayers… You make me wonder! Is it really you that need our prayers or it is us that needs yours? Somebody as faithful and as close to the Almighty Lord as you are! need to pray for us… Since you started your blog, I look forward to read every update and learn from you how to look at life and it’s challenges Sami, God will always be there for you, and He will never stop loving you, 100 folds the way you love Him!!!
I love you habibi.
Hi Sami, it is wonderful that you r feeling better,we are thinking and praying for you and your family. Thank you so much for your blog it keep us informed of your progress ; i wish i did that when i was sick, thanks God my cancer is in remission ,but Dicember 1st keep me in your prayer since i’m going to MDA for a pet scan and other tests.This verse help me a lot,hope that the same for you.
1 John 5: 14-15
Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.
Hey bro,
I couldn’t believe when I read your last entry. I was thinking of the same exact verse yesterday. Hard times at work, so I had to cling to something. I’m so happy for your progress. If you need ANYTHING don’t hesitate to ask. You know how much I love and treasure you and your family. Praying for you always! =0)
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
This has been my favorite verse ever since we memorized the verse list in Sunday school, remember?
Hello, very happy to hear your good news. You’re always in our prayers and thoughts and we miss you a lottttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt.
Jack, Rachelle, Daniel, Joelle and myself send our love, kisses & hugs to you ya ahdam Sami, Jacquo, Wadad, Jeannette, Samir and aunt Wadad and everyone there.
Dear Sami, I want to tell you that you are the truest believer who I ever met.
We need your prayer too. Salaams to everybody especially Mrs. Lahoud. Nada and I love you kteer kteer kteer, see you very soon my dear. Mariam.
Hi Sami,
You : feeling better, makes us : feeling better ; you : feeling weak, makes us : feeling weak ; you : being positive makes us full of admiration towards your wonderful courage. Thank you. You are always in my prayer. Jouhaina.
عزيزي سامي
أنك أنسان مؤمن ورائع وما أحلى التواصل معك ياأخي العزيز
نشكرك لأستمرارك بأطلاع جميع أخوتك وأصدقائك ومحبيك على كل التحدثيات لحالتك الصحيه
دعائي وصلواتي للعلي القدير العلي العظيم أن يتم نعمته عليك ويشفيك أنه سمعيع مجيب الدعاء
أرجوك يا أخي أن تكرر هذه الجمله دائما بينك وبين نفسك وسوف ترى النتائج قريبا بأذن الله تعالى
أمن يجيب المضطر أذا دعاه ويكشف السوء
اللهم يكشف السوء عنك ويرجعلك الى اهلك وكل محبيك سالما غانما ويشفيك ويتم عليك الصحه والعافيه
آمين رب العالمين
well from now till 7th of Ovtober, there is a lot of time and a lot of countries and a lot of people to pile up prayer request for you Sami. Keep it up. Prayers are on your way. fortunetly, God’s plan is always 100% accurate, and 100% exact as per His control, no matter what is the 20% or 60% or any other %, He is always 100% accurate.
Dear Sami,
We recently found out about all that’s been happening with you. It’s so hard to believe…yet we know it’s not a surprise to our God. We (and our ABF class!) are praying for you. Miss seeing you and pray that we’ll be able to worship together again soon. Love you brother!
Dolly, Shoby, Hannah, Sarah, and Jonathan
well today in rome on a business trip in one of romes nice churches st maria maggiore i fell on my feet opened my hands and prayed for you and your healing keep up with your inspiration and I think aunti selma has made changes in many peoples lives may god bless her soul