May 17th, 2012
I had my Bone Marrow Aspiration (BMA) yesterday. I thought it would be interesting to share with you what is involved in this procedure. According to Wikipedia, an aspirate needle is inserted through the back using manual pressure and force until it abuts the bone. Then, with a twisting motion of the nurse’s hand and wrist, the needle is advanced through the bony cortex (the hard outer layer of the bone) and into the marrow cavity. Once the needle is in the marrow cavity, a syringe is attached and used to aspirate (“suck out”) liquid bone marrow. A twisting motion is performed during the aspiration to avoid excess content of blood in the sample, which might be the case if an excessively large sample from one single point is taken. Subsequently, the biopsy is performed.
Well, usually even with local anesthetic, it still hurts, however,this time I did not feel a thing. It went very smoothly. PTL. Once done I returned to the waiting area to meet Jacqueline and shared with my fellow patients that “Victoria“, the nurse who handled my aspiration, was the best of the best. You should have been there … they all started asking for Victoria. I even heard one older couple whisper that “it’s worth waiting for Victoria“. lol
The BMA results were in today and the biopsy is normal. PTL!. I also conducted a battery of tests and I am officially good to go for a second BMT 😉 PTL. I will be admitted on the 23rd for Chemo then Transplant on the 30th.
Thank you for your prayers and support !
Romans 8:31
In His Grip
Sami
Sami Lahoud 
My Beloved… Why is it that this post draws my first response during ur 2nd ordeal? Well, my beloved..wonder no more because I’ve got to tell ya: Your explicitly graphic dictation made me think of how graphically Jesus’ strory is told when he was crucified… Paraded thru the streets dragging a rugged cross, beaten, teased, spat upon, nailed in hands and feet, pierced in his side, thorns pushed in his skull..all that and more after an unfair trial… We know the rest of his-story….HE got up with ALL power. Oh my my my, somebody better say something; Yes Lord!! You alone are God and all power is in your hands… Thank ya..thank ya…thank ya!!!
Dear Sami, Your strength is indeed an inspiration for all of us. May Allah give you and family more courage to deal with the situation you are being through and take away all your pain and give you healthy long life – Ameen.
Thank you for keeping us informed about what you’re going through..
May Allah bless you and your family – you are always in my prayers. Lots of Love and care for you. InshaAllah we will see you around us very soon with a smiling face 🙂
We will be praying for you every day in Qatar. God Bless you and heal you.
Sami: We thank Victoria for her “light” hand and we continue to pray for your full healing and are so glad that all is ready for BMT. Strong prayers go out as you weather this little road bump and come out victorious as we all know you WILL! Stay strong as you always are and continue to inspire us as you always do.
God Bless.
Praise God! I am so grateful for the “Victorias” in our lives! I continue to lift you and your family up. My love and prayers are with you all.
Great news, hopefully your second BMTwill also be the last one you’ll ever need. Those “Victoria’s” give a whole new appreciation for skilled healthcare workers. I hope she realizes how important her work is in helping people through tough times. God bless you! Special hugs to Jacqueline and your mom.
عيناي دائماً الى الرب لأنه هو يخرج رجلي من الشبكة
الرب راعي فلا يعوزني شيء. …….. الى مياه يوردني ………. ايضاً إذا سرت في وادي ظلّ الموت لا أخاف شراً لأنك انت معي. عصاك وعكازك هما يعزيانني…… إليك يا رب ارفع نفسي. يا إلهي عليك توكلت……..
إحصاء أيامنا هكذا علمنا فنؤتى قلب حكمة
الرب قريب لكل الذين يدعونه الذين يدعونه بالحق. يعمل رضى خائفيه ويسمع تضرعهم فيخلصهم
وسلام الله الذي يفوق كل عقل يحفظ قلوبكم وافكاركم في المسيح يسوع.
Dear Sami
This is from a very old friend that just heard about your sickness and was very very sad when I heard it . But I am a strong believer in Allah and Jesus and in your ability to over come it ishallah you will live long and healthy life between your family and see you children grow infront of you . Inshallah with your strong faith you defeat it and rest asure that you will be in my prayers five times a day until god gives you your healthy life back an be among your kids and grand kids and just remember Sami that the only way to win this battle is to have a strong faith and god will always do mericals .
love Ahmad Itani
Dearest Sami,
Happy to here the good news with the bone marrow results. You are always in my prayers.
Although you may be physically sick and may feel weak but spiritually and emotionally you appear to be in the best shape and extremely strong and fit. All this exercise with keeping your eyes and focus on the lord and not on the circumstances gave you a great spiritual work out and gave you the eagle wings that can fly high in the heavens. I pray for myself to follow your example which is the same one that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ have set for us through his suffering. But the most amazing thing is the ending. He arose victorious and light came after darkness. We cling to his promises and we know that He is Just and Faithful so we have peace
Lots of love and will continue to fight in prayer
ptl
Habib albi, this is the good news we’ve been waiting for. Our Lord will take you by the hand every step of the way and ,we all pray, to a full cure this time. All the love in the world, Mona
From victory to victory inchallah, you see sami even the nurse is “victoria” 🙂 PTL that the results are normal and good…we will be with you in heart, mind and prayers for this second operation. love u and very proud of you Mr…Victor!!! 😉
As usual, habibi, you are strength itself. Love you. My thoughts and love to all the familia around you.
May God be with you and your family as you enter the next part of your journey.
Not a day goes by without this Irsihman thinking and praying for you.
We love and miss you so much being a part of our everyday lives. We cannot wait for your return.
Love always
Neala, Bronwyn, and Joe
Great news Samsoum, one step forward and this wil end hoping we will remember it as a bad dream.
Kiss you Habibi and all my prayers are for you.
Habibna Sami, you are in our thoughts and in our prayers, today, and in the next week and the following 100 days. Hugs and kisses to you and your Jaqueline and your Mom (with her fantastic prayer) and your trio and the rest of the amazing Lahouds.
Dearest Sami,
It was so wonderful to see you on Friday. You are a fresh breath that gives hope and encouragement to others and to me specifically. I have no doubt that the Lord will completely heal your body but He still has not finished His work through you during this ordeal. You still have to touch so many more people’s life through your physical suffering because you are doing such a superb job. He is pushing you and challenging you to achieve the highest grade and honor that a son can get in His kingdom and definitely it is well deserved .
I love you Sami and love God’s image through you.
Will keep fighting in prayers