April 5, 2012
Saturday the 31st I had fever (aka very bad news), thus I was rushed to the MDA ER. Within a very short period of time, I went into vehement body shakes like I had never experienced before and … poor Rima was by herself in the room with me when this storm hit. It was nasty. She tried to hold me down, however, to no avail. It felt as if my system was going into shock. The ER physician mentioned that the bacteria was creeping into my blood stream and thus the reaction. From my end, I found myself being tossed and turned around, just like the disciples in the boat that evening (John 6:18) in the middle of the storm. I tried so hard to control my chills, however, to no avail. My muscles were getting very tired … when I decided to fight this battle with praise and thus started praising the Lord in my heart to the beat of the chills. It was a very cool experience. The more the shakes, the more the praises ! Everything eventually calmed down. Issam was shocked how quickly I was healed, especially before the antibiotics were able to take effect. PTL!
This morning, we met with the transplant physician. As you can imagine, I bombarded him with questions, however, i.e; sadly enough, he could not answer most of my questions. Apparently they do not have much data regarding second BMTs. At this stage they are awaiting the results of my Bone Marrow Aspiration that is scheduled for tomorrow morning. If it reflects complete remission, then I will qualify for a second BMT, otherwise, here comes another Chemo session … hm, hm, hm.
All in all, it is amazing how the Lord provides peace and comfort in the midst of the valley He calls us to walk through.
Check out this very short clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIEc1MMp9Tg&feature=related
Thank you for your faithful prayers and support.
Resting in His Peaceful Grip
Sami
Sami Lahoud 
Well, that about says it all, Sami! I am so glad you don’t have to walk through this valley alone! I am so glad that when you are shaking He has the power to tell your heart to be still! I am so glad you choose to cast your eyes on Jesus and to share your beautiful heart and faith with the many, many people whose lives you touch. Praying for you and your sweet family, dear Sami. Keep shouting that Praise! We praise God with you and trust Him alongside you!
Sami,
Your strength just never ceases to amaze us! Drita and I continue to pray that you don’t have to go through another chemo and that all will be good to go for the BMT. Stay strong as you continue to be and look forward to seeing you soon!
Dear Sami …have the asserting that make you destroy this facetiousnesses, especially you already have it……..Allah with you all the time……..Allah heal you
In Him, Through Him, For Him.
Praying Brother…
Samsoum, remember: ” après la tempête, le beau temps “. Keep Praising The Lord habibi, the finish line is there.
I love you dearly.
Sami, Today… it is called “Good Friday”, from my human point of view i cant imagine how they came up with this name..where is the good in the middle of the suffering and the pain! Jesus was willing to do that for us. The only time he really was sad and afraid during all what He had gone through …..is when He knew the Father left him. ….all for our sake.
The battle is worth every pain, nothing compared to what the unsaved souls of people with healthy bodies go through……..yes you are not alone…..and yes the more the shakes the more the praises….
Hey Sami, You know what today is!! GREAT FRIDAY. The day our Lord paid the ultimate price and took the stripes on His back for you and I. One of those stripes was to set us free from the curse of Leukemia. AMEN AMEN AMEN!!!!!!!!!! And the Devil knows he couldn’t hold Him in the grave nor can he hold us down brother. Resurrection Sunday is on it’s way.
Praying the stone will be rolled away, Jeff
Sami – I continue to be lifted with your approach to these challenges. We continue to pray for healing of your human body.
My Sunday School class continues to pray and you continue to inspire with your faith.
Dear samsoum
as I cried out for you this morning and then started doing my bible study that I thought to share with you and Jaco
1cor 13:12. “For now we see in mirror dimly, but then face to face ; now I know in part, but then I shall know fully just as I also have been fully known.” Yes I can see only some of God’s purposes and some of the ways in which He s working in your life- but only dimly. I can only see glimpses of His purposes and glimmers of His insights. I know from personal experiences when great storms blew up in my life …..I sought God to answer the one-word question that plagued me:WHY? He answered “in part” only what He wanted to reveal at that time. Now when I look back I recognize His wisdom and understand why although just in part…..and I am sure it is the same for you…..
I love you guys and praying for both of you and want to leave this verse with you
Lamintations 3:22 “The Lord’s loving kindness indeed never cease, for His compassion never fails. they are new every morning: great is Thy faithfullness.
Sami, on this Easter Sunday when we celebrate Jesus’ emergence from the grave triumphant, I pray God will give you triumph and lift you high to Him. I miss you and I love you brother.
Jeff
Sami,
Your faith is an inspiration….may He continue to keep you in His loving grip. As always, our thoughts and prayers are with you on this holiest of days,
Yes, we are resting in His peaceful grip! what an inspiration you are for us!!! love u and miss u so much all of you. bisous
Satan wants us lost, Satan wants us dispersed, Satan wants us afraid and weak. Well my dear Sami and my new blog friends, we have to fight this battle by being solid in faith and remove the gray from our life its either satan or our lord. Courage sami Your story is on the lips of all in many churchs across lebanon. Your struggle gave us all a new sense for life. I have personally changed for the better. We have to live psalm 23 and psalm 27 of david. My god mother waddad i pray for you daily to face this challenge with zeal and trust. This mothers day in the church I announced that the celebration means nothing if you are not amongst us in church we miss your faith and your assertiveness in faith and love for christ in our church which is praying for sami every sunday since mid July and we will keep on with these prayers since we believe that we are in his grip. For my brother Issam and my dear lady Lamia and children, the lord is risen and truly risen and he conquered sin and conquered death we are praying all the time for Sami and Jaco. I also would like to thank some names which are always giving us all encouraging words ex jad lahoud I dont know you but you seem like a great guy and I like your french phrase which is very true by the way.
Sami and Rima it must have been quite a storm but I can only say one thing PTL!!!!!!!
Went up to Ain el Remmaneh last weekend, had an egg hunt for the kids Easter Day, visited the room downstairs where we used to let everyone think we were sleeping while we went about being naughty kids staying up late… habibi, Ain el Remmaneh is waiting for you to come visit. Mwah, big kiss and hug
Sami, Your strength is an inspiration. Thank you for keeping us informed about what you’re going through, and for doing so with such personality and spirit. Thinking about you every day, and sending you loads of strength and love.– Salma and all the Abdelnours
Hi Sami. Remember the Chuism at work. Always breaking paradigms and yes I was quite good in seeking your help. Hope this surprise brighten your day. Please say Hi to the family.
Just remember it is our inner strength that heals us. It is also our destiny that brings us a life full of experiences. And you buddy definitely has proven conventional wisdom wrong.
love you Sami, Bless you