Sami Lahoud

I had to get a lot of blood products yesterday.  My blood counts were depleted and I was running on empty. While sitting in the transfusion unit waiting area, an older gentlemen (mid to late sixties) asked if someone was sitting at the available seat next to me. I smiled and said “yes, you are”.  He smiled and sat down. He then looked at me and asked “son how long have you been coming here?” I placed my hand on his back and said “since July of 2011”.  He then smiled and shared with me that he has been visiting MDA for almost seven years. He had his Chemo cycles for a few years, then a BMT that was good for only 4 years.  He is now back to square one. I asked him if he was planning on getting a second BMT? which he replied that it was too risky for his age.  We then both encouraged each other and agreed that the Lord was in full control, thus why worry?

It is amazing how many people we met so far, from all over the world, are struggling with Leukemia. No age, race or gender limit. Earlier that morning Jacqueline met a mother visiting from Saudi Arabia who was there with her young daughter.  Although she is a 60% match donor with her daughter, still they are planning to go with a BMT since they have no other choice. Jacqueline encouraged her and provided her with her cell phone in case she needed anything while in Houston.

Later that day, a young man was sitting in a corner, by himself, watching Jacqueline knit a wool scarf.  He had no hair and looked to be cold and lonely. She offered him a red scarf which she just finished.  He jumped at the offer and wrapped the scarf around his neck and head, leaving a huge smile on his face.

The large leukemia clinic waiting areas are full of patients, old and young, with a seldom smile in view.  People are usually lined up on the walls since the many available seats are always taken. Most patients are out of towners and miss the warmth of their loved ones.  Most are wondering why them, like the young lady we met a week ago that was in her mid twenties who, with tears in her eyes, shared with us that she had dreams of getting married and having kids, yet she was now devastated by her sickness, feeling hopeless.

Is this it? is this what we are all living for? this great and wonderful life? we’re born, live, pay taxes, get sick and eventually die? no hope or meaning in sight? just a bunch of grown up germs heading to annihilation?

No way! Our universe is so perfectly designed that any thinking individual cannot but conclude that nothing but a creator could have accomplished such a perfect design … and if so, He has a perfect plan for each one of us.

My devotion for this week is from Habakkuk 3:17-19
Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights.

In His Grip
Sami