July 20, 2012 (Day 50)
First, things first. Ramadan Kareem to all of my dear Muslim friends around the world, especially in Iraq.
With that said, where am I in this Journey? I guess I would categorize it as another opportunity to dive deeper … what I have learned is that you have to be all in, fully trusting the Lord, and once in, you have to be “ready” to experience it all (its ups and downs), otherwise, you will miss on a great opportunity to grow spiritually, personally and physically. If life was so easy, i.e – easy in/easy out – it could become a meaningless routine, it wouldn’t be worth living without challenges that would shape you, as long as you do not allow them to break you.
1 Peter 1:7 – These have come so that your faith–of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire–may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. A priceless opportunity to experience pain and joy … while strengthening your faith and experiencing reality.
Well, to date (day 50), my BMT#2 has been very successful. Not much side effects, my blood counts are back and I am gaining strength on a daily basis, however, I was reminded that all this does not mean much since it’s a Déjà vu. Same story last time post my BMT#1 – feeling great until my replaps on day 89. Accordingly, the Leukemia and Transplant heads met and decided that this time around they are not going to take “any” chances. They shared with me and Jacqueline a plan for the next “year” (wow – no mercy – لا رحمة) – I greatly appreciated the fact that they took this firm stance and came up with a “custom” plan just for me, which includes two (not one!, but two) Chemo medications (mamma mia!). The plan is to have me on these meds for a whole year. Justification is that I relapsed fairly quickly last time, so even though they cannot see any Leukemia cells at this stage, they still “assume” that some might still be there and thus plan to treat me accordingly.
The first lesson learned from this Journey is to remember that God is still in full control (so why should I worry?) and secondly, not to lose focus of the many blessings that surround you, and in my case, I am saturated with blessings. (PTL!) To list just a few, I met too many patients that had to travel to Houston for MDA, leaving loved ones, friends, homes, etc … yet in my case, MDA is almost around the corner. At the end of the day I get to enjoy my kids, spend time with my Jacqueline and give mom a hard time, while being surrounded by my sisters, their families and my friends in Houston and via the web, which includes you ! – – – I am very blessed and could not ask for more – PTL all the time!
Thank you for your faithful prayers and support !
In His Grip,
Sami
Sami Lahoud 
Sami, praise God for his goodness. I will continue to pray that his healing power might rest on you.
A long journey Sami, but true… any journey without a loving community is not easy. It is a privilege and a blessing to part of each other’s journeys. We will continue to pray for strength, wisdom and complete healing..how blessed to have family around, love to Jacqueline and Wadad.
Indeed, you are blessed and your experience gave much blessings to us too. Thank you! The Lord is in full control of the situation, hallelujah. You are all still in my mind, heart and prayers and every day, the first thing i do when i open my laptop is to put a glance to your site 🙂 “bheb a3mil sobhie ma3ak, hihihi” :)xo
Thanks brother…. and we ask Allah in this special month to heal…miss you brother
Wonderful news, Sami! My God continue to bless you and your family. Thank you for sharing this incredibly difficult journey with us….
God bless you. I had a cancer removed from my face in the Houston medical center yesterday and will return to Doha Sunday night. Call me on my us cell phone 713 562 5610 if you feel like it.
Frank
Hi Sami, Jaqueline, and all the family — thinking of you always. Much love. Rima
Sami,
It is so inspiring to read your posts. I am thrilled to hear of the great progress, and even more excited about the plan to not take any risks. You are always in our prayers and we look forward to reading more great news in your next post(s).
God Bless
Hi Sami
Ramadan Kareem to you too and my allah bless you and give all the strength you need to enjoy your family and friends and do not give your mom hard time even though she is enjoying every second of it and as they say in arabic Rida Allah Wa Rida Alwalidain and my Allah give you the health to be able to give your mom that hard time
god bless you and be beside you
Ahmad Itani
شكراً جزيل الشكر على التهنئة بشهر رمضان نسأل الله ان يمن عليك بالصحة والعافية
دعني اكلمك عراقي شوي ” الوالدة سافرت الى بيت الله الحرام من قبل 5 ايام وقلت لها ادعي لسامي بالشفاء وليس الشفاء فقط لا…الشفاء والعودة لرؤيتك هنا في بلادك الثاني بعد لبنان”تحيات العائلة لك وسلام الاصدقاء لك وثق ان الصلوات لن ولم تتوقف يا سامي .
Hey Troublemaker, I am glad to read that you are in a good and lifted spirit. Everyday I intercede on your behalf in His presence, our almighty God, our father. We are missing you a lot. You are such a hero for me, and a good example to follow. May our Lord bless you and your family. Greetings to our mom, stop telling stories about her 🙂 tell Jacko we missed her man2ouche (Keshik).
Take care for now, and I will be in touch with you again my dear brother.
I leave with you these verses which I pray for you, Is. 43:1-7
With all our love,
Rodolphe, Rana and the kids.
Love you Sasoumi, and relieved to hear the doctors are bringing out their even bigger guns this time. Widdo 3ala 2alba mitl-el-3asal all the teasing in the world when it comes from you. I keep reading about Jacko’s delicious food, I’m sure that’s what is nursing you back to health between all these no-mercy treatments, and will continue to sustain you throughout the coming year with all the love baked into it. If there’s anybody who hasn’t lost focus on God’s infinite blessings it’s you, and you are setting a supreme example for us all to follow. Habibi our prayers for your full recovery do not stop, and God is the great healer. Love to you and your family, and thanks for sharing.
حسن هو الحمد للرب والترنم لاسمك ايها العليّ. أن يخبر برحمتك في الغداه وامانتك كل ليلة….. ما إعظم أعمالك يا رب وأعمق جداً افكارك. مزمور 1 – 3 : 92
انه من احسانات الرب اننا لم نفنى. عطاياه جديدة في كل صباح.
عند كثرة همومي في داخلي تعزياتك تلذذ نفسي. الغارس الاذن ألا يسمع. والصانع العين ألا يبصر. التفت الى صلاه المضطر ولم يرذل دعاءهم
Hi Sami, it is always wonderful to read your posts, even when your health is in its downs and definitely with its ups, and inshallah we will continue to read good news about your health on day 100 and beyond. You are constantly in our prayers. Lots of love and kisses to you, Jacqueline and the trio.
Bro Sami, It’s so great to know that we trust our Living God who looks after us and is in control of our lives. I’m very much encouraged with your attitude. You are still on our church’s prayer list. We’ll continue to follow your updates, till after the 90 days and beyond.
We join you in Praising our Living Lord.
Pastor Albert Haddad
Wentworthville Arabic Baptis Church – Sydney
Sami, your strength and resilience continues to be an enormous inspiration. Your blog is a true gift. Thanks for writing it and for keeping family and friends posted. Thinking of you and wishing you ongoing strength, as ever. Love to you, Jacqueline, auntie Wadad, Rima, Lamya, Issam, and all the kids.
أخي العزيز سامي
شكرا لك على التهنئه بحلول شهر رمضان الكريم
وأسئل الله العلي القدير أن يمن عليك بحق هذا الشهر الفضيل
بالصحه والعافيه والشفاء التام ويحفظك ويحفظ عائلتك من كل شر ومكروه وأن ينعم عليكم بالأمن والأمان
أنه سميع مجيب الدعاء
سامي أرجوك أن تكرر الدعاء التالي
(أمن يجيب المضطر أذا دعاه ويكشف السوء)
Dearest Sami,
I was blessed with your presence and message last weekend. Thank you for making faith and trust in the Lord come to life. You have touched my heart and soul and God’s word through your mouth but more powerfully through your life and actions has spoken directly to my heart and many many others. Although I do not long to walk in your shoes now with all the physical pain and suffering but surely long to be as close to the Lord as you are
Blessed is man who trusts in the Lord
You are a blessed man Sami Lahoud
Love and peace with you
Khoulood
Dear Sami,
Yallah, update the blog! We want to know how you are doing ya zelama! I have a lot of Shaku Maku for you, but you can’t get it until you give us an update!
My dear Sami hi, I was really touched by your last update, we are all waiting to hear more from you, my great teacher. Love to everyone. Nada and Mariam.