October 26, 2011 – – – Minus Day 5; aka (-5)
DID YOU KNOW?
I sure did not. Let me clarify. The information they share with us, as we venture through this journey, is incredible. To think that I was living in this world and had no idea what incredible things were taking place within a Stem Cell Transplant … m,m,m … and now I get to experience it, wow! Check this info out >> Not only will my blood type change, but, the nurse informed us today that, once the new Stem Cells were grafted, I had to retake the immunization I had taken since childbirth, since it will all be gone – wow ! Just like a new born baby, I will have to take it. They will even sing me “Happy Birthday” while the new Stem Cells are being poured into my empty shell – – – (come to think of it, I do look like a big baby now – no hair anywhere – no wonder Jacqueline and Mom keep rubbing and kissing my bald head!) … I need to pause on that thought … well, my reply to the nurse was ” will I also be crying like a baby?” her response was “to date no one has cried from the transplant itself, however, the smell of the fresh Stem Cell might make you cry”. She could not think of the right word to describe the smell so I researched it on the net and it was listed as a fish-like smell – (as long as it smells like a fresh Atlantic Salmon, I will be ok with it). 🙂
GUESS WHO IS BACK
It seems that I am destined to spend time with Alaris. For those of you who missed reading about Alaris, it is my IV machine. I first met it when I was in isolation back in August. Back then if I was asked whether or not I could spend a month in isolation, while being strapped to an IV machine 24×7, in a room that could barely fit a bed, that had no bathroom but a tiny portable commode that uses nylon bags (yes it does) and a very small sink for towel bathing (no shower) … I would have laughed hard. It sounds like a room in the Mezzeh prison ( سجن المزة). However, believe it or not, that experience was priceless to me. The Lord worked it all in a miraculous way. PTL. He provided me with peace, protection and got me out of it singing hymns and praising His Holy name ! I got to experience Philippians 4:13 in real life.
DAY ZERO
The heavy Chemo has started on day -7 and thus day Zero has been declared for Monday October 31st. This is when I will be given new Stem Cells. However, and most importantly, a few days earlier, I will be put on a special medication to avoid what is called Graft-versus-host disease – i.e. when the donor’s bone marrow’s immune cells start attacking the recipient’s own tissues. With that said, as usual, I greatly appreciate your prayers and count on them (thank you). I also thank you for your blog entries. They always encourage me, put a smile on my big bald baby head and remind me that you are traveling this journey with me.
Remember, the Best has already come and we are reaping His blessings on earth, until He comes again. Ephesians 1:3
In His Grip
Sami
Sami Lahoud 
Sami, you are always in our thoughts and prayers. Looking forward to seeing you with a full head of blond hair and blue eyes.
I’m addicted to reading your blog Samsoum!
And I’m addicted to our Almighty Lord as well, and thankful for all the help He has extended to you and your family.
Yalla habibi, few more days!!! Keep pushing, the finish line is waiting for you my Brother.
I love you.
Hi Sami,
Thanks for keeping us posted and educating us about the stem cell transplant process. It’s amazing how God has given doctors the knowledge to come up with these treatments! Thank God for the doctors nurses and all the previous patients whose transplant experiences allowed the science to come this far as they refine their protocols year after year. I find the whole transplant process so miraculous! Grace’s donor was a 2 year old girl. She was involved in a fatal car accident and their was no hope of survival for her. Her parents generous decision to give up her organs allowed at least 5 kids to have a new lease on life. Grace got her liver, while others got her heart, kidneys, lungs and perhaps even more. Nowadays, they are even doing small bowel, stomach and pancreas transplants. In any case, God is good and he allowed a very sad situation to bring new life.
I welcome you in advance to the transplant community; here, there is no shortage of miracles and I never tire of hearing about them. I am confident that our Lord who has wallked with you this far will continue with you throughout this journey. You are in our prayers and looking forward to hearing great news in the coming weeks. Will you be required to take immune suppression meds after the tranplant?
My beloved.. counting the days with you; and praying without ceasing. Chatted briefly with KMalek about you today, they will be remebering you as well. Man, because you say the darndest things; it makes me thinks the darndest things.. I just had a thought, “because of the influence your attitude has on everyone, the nurses and doctors may not let you come back to us so soon. They will get spoiled having you there to make their days brighter”. You are winning and turning many souls back to Christ with the testimony of this journey.. PTL for you and send my love to Jacquo, kids, mom, Lamia and my girl Rima!! Keep doing what you do and the rest of us will do the same… love ya!!
Sami, you continue to be in my prayers. Thank you for sharing your difficult but amazing journey with all if us. Scott Parrish
Sami, you are the greatest and have always been there for everyone else. Sharing your experiences both demonstrate and illustrate your remarkable courage. You have reintroduced me to the power of prayer, and I am praying for you and your family. Can’t wait to see you again! -mike buck
Counting down with you Mr. BOLD…bbbh- big bald baby head. A demo of how modern day “apostles”/men of God encourage others from “prison-cells” ..Oh..as if you don’t have already funny stories “God’s stories” to tell. Dubai ‘Fronds’ miss you lots….take it easy on the nurses ‘lest’ they will not let you go ..counting down…
Hey…new stem cells, being “a Big baby” again, …etc.
Will that affect you loving lahem b3ajeen from Barbar? I hope not, because I’m waiting for you this summer to go and have some….Don’t tell me, you cannot but drink milk :):):)
LOVE YOU, BROTHER, our CHAMP……On our minds ALWAYS
Always as i told you, there is an army of sincere prayers with you by heart, they are confident your best days are not behind. Good luck 🙂
Hi Mr. Sami: I will be praying for you and my whole family will pray as well. Your former Creek Kids Camp camper, Ryan Goolsby
هالو سامي
ارجو من الرب ان تعدى هذى الفترة عليك وعلينا بخير وبسرعة تخرج لنا ويكون لحمك كلحم صبى صغير
وكاطفال مولودين الا اشتهوا البن العقلى العديم لكى تنموا
بطرس الأولى اصحاح 2 وعدد2
ارميا Armiya Francis
Stay strong Sami! I admire your strength and courage. You are a real fighter, and attitude is everything. You will get through this with flying colors. I keep thinking of the many wonderful experiences we have had at work together, and the many ‘battles’ we fought together in ESS. This is just one more battle, and you have many more allies in this one. You will overcome this, just like you always do.
We are all praying for you here in Dubai\Iraq.
he Lord. continue to encourage us to continue through this life. I am waiting for yor you to come here and frighten me with your Mom’s fur, and hear me shouting. Sami, a big or little baby, you have a baby heart, “ingigha” Love you habeebi kteer kteer. salaams to your Mother and Rima, Lamia and everybody. Mariam.T
Dear Samsoom, you are a brave man, a special person from The Lord. Continue to encourage us to continue through this life. I am waiting for you to come here and frighten me with your Mom’s fur and hear me shouting. Yallah habeebi rah alkteer. Love you kteer kteer. salaams to your Mother, Jacqueline, Rima, Lamia and everybody. My heart is with you habeebi.Mariam.
Sami — what an encouragement you are to all, including me! I remember well our conversations that began about 2 years ago. What a joy it is to know a Brother. What an even greater joy to know the One that sticks closer to us than a brother! Today is GDOP and you are on my heart. Thank you for introducing it to me last year. I am thankful. Minden jot (All the best!).
Larry Stanteen
Sami – Just wanted to let you know that we’re keeping an eye on you from Australia. Since we’re about 15 hours ahead of you, we always know you’ll be fine tomorrow 😉
Gary Holmes
Dearest Sami,
We are counting down with you. Praying for a perfect Results from a perfect God. Sami, Your walk and faith in God is so powerful and effective in reaching many hearts and souls. You have always been a great example to us and our children but this journey is definitely the real witness to our heavenly father’s work and power in you . I can see Him smiling down at you and saying ,” this is my son . I am so proud of him”
We love you Sami and we know that you are in a safe grip
Mabrook in advance for new stem cells 😉
Khoulood
Hi Sami
I’m really jealous of your faith :). I tell you why? Your complete confidence in our Lord made you overcome the obstacles and the walls you might face in this trial (which almost over). Isolated room for 30 days, no shower, no hair, lovely Alaris and more…, yet you are the one who cause smiles on many faces and encouragement to many souls who read your blog:). We all love you and admire you and praying for you almost every hour. Please continue to be who you are beside the fact your blood type will be “O” and you still going to have all baby shots all over again:):).
You are a good ambassador for your savior.
Love
Laila Francis
Dearest Sami,
I had a dream that you visited us in our village Ainata, and you looked so healthy. You and Moh’d decided to go hunting. It was such a beautiful and sunny day.
We all have faith in Allah, as well as we all know by now that you have an angelic will.
We pray to Allah that you overcome this very soon.
Love
Iman Darwiche
عزيزي سامي
دعواتنا مستمره أليك لكي يمن الله عليك بالشفاء التام أنه سميع مجيب الدعاء
قبلاتي اليك يا أخي وصديقي العزيز
We are definitely a part of praying you through this journey!! Once again we remind you that you are already healed! You are just gaining a more powerful testimony to make the devil run for cover. We sent you the latest on Julie Lee (by email) and she was discharged today!! PTL!!! If possible have Jackie read it to you! Great news and you TOO will have that GREAT news! We walk by FAITH, not be sight! Always remember your BIG BROTHER is with you each step of the way, lifting you up and carrying you when need be! Keep your eyes looking up and know that you are covered daily in prayer by many!! Love and blessings, Doug and Elizabeth
Good morning Sami. Thanks for keeping us informed. You continue to be in my prayers.
Dear Sami
Our thoughts and prayers are with you as we follow your journey and are encouraged by your faith and submission to the will of our Creator and Saviour Jesus Christ. His thoughts and His ways are higher than ours so many times we do not understand but we trust that He loved us and will love us forever and praise Him for the peace He gives.
With all our love
Farid & Ilham Abou-Rahme (UK)
Sami, You and your family have been ever in my thoughts and prayers! May all that you’ve poured into others be pours back your way during these difficult days. Love to all! Tammy McIlvoy
Sami, as I was reading Job 1 & 2 this morning, I shared with Doug how this reminded me of you!! If you really read what happened it is AMAZING!! God asked Satan to test His servant Job! Not only once, but twice!! WOW!! God actually pointed out Job to Satan. That means that God KNEW Job was His servant and how he would respond!! What a privilege for God to call our name out to Satan. Don’t get me wrong…I know the trial is tough and exhausting, but…God called out Job’s name!!! I saw your face when I was reading this. Satan was NOT allowed to take his life! God put limits on what he could inflict. But again, I remind you that God chose Job for Satan to test. When that really sinks down deep in our spirit, it has a whole NEW meaning!!! We cannot wait to hear how the doctors are amazed at your transplant procedure and your progress afterward. You are a man of GREAT faith and you are going through a BIG trial, BUT…you are still praising God, worshipping God, and testifying to ALL those who read your blog!! Rest with God tonight, knowing that your BIG brother, Jesus, is in the bed with you UNTIL you departe MDA!!! God bless, and remember, God chose Job 🙂 What an honor for God to choose one of us!!! Love and blessings, Doug and Elizabeth