Sami Lahoud

Today I was informed that my Donor is a male.  No additional information beyond that.  After one year, I can request to meet him via MDA, and if he is interested, I will be given the information to contact him directly.  As you can imagine, the whole family would love to meet him.  Hopefully he will be open to being hugged and kissed Lebanese style, otherwise … what a surprise!  However, the most interesting news is that he has been more than a perfect match for me.  Currently his bone marrow is fully functioning in my body, much sooner than expected.  My blood type has changed from B+ to O+. His bone marrow is  in full control, producing all the required blood cells without any sign of blast (i.e, bad cells).  Everyone at MDA was amazed how quickly this happened.  My white blood count is in the normal range and my platelets are increasing by the day, all without needing any drugs to boost the bone marrow into producing more cells.  Before the transplant I was informed that I will be needing shots on a daily basis, for approx 30 days.  I was also informed that in my case, since I received a bone marrow transplant (vs Stem Cells) it will take longer for it to graft and that I will not be able to eat any vegetables before day 100, etc … all this information and speculation turned out not applying to my case.  The doctors are amazed with how quickly my bone marrow is healing.  I am not on any drugs to stimulate my bone marrow, my donor’s bone marrow is in full control producing all the required cells, my white count has reached the normal range, my platelets are increasing by the day and today, I was given the green light to start eating certain vegetables (“certain” since per their protocol I should not be in this state before day 100).  PTL!   Still, they are keeping me under a close watch until day 100.  In other words, I will be surrounded with special MD body guards, checking on me on a regular basis …. I feel special.  🙂

The ENT physician checked my tracheotomy today and mentioned that it should heal within another week.  PTL <  can’t wait until I am able to speak freely 🙂 >

All in all we are left speechless by the Lord.  Truly He has been faithful … 

One thought in closing.  It is sad how many patients we met that are still waiting on donors.  Some have been waiting for years … Imagine if you were a donor and ended up being a perfect match and saving someone’s life.  What a blessing you will be and what a ministry you will have.  It’s a very easy process.  To register call 1-800-marrow2.  They will send you a mouth swab. You just do it and send it back to them.  Once a match is identified, they will contact you, and if you are still interested, they will schedule a date/time at your convenience to take your stem cells.  The process is as simple as giving blood.  Think about it.

Thank you for your faithful prayers and for supporting me through this journey.  We are almost there … Thank you!

In His Grip,

Sami