I was told by MDA that I had two options. The first one, which I refer to it as the Nuclear option, meaning that they will put me in isolation again, give me the harshest Chemo again, have my blood counts back to zero again and start giving me blood products again … and again and again … As the physician was drawing that nuclear option on a piece of paper with its associated details …. I have to be honest with you … I really blinked … and paused … but made sure to hide my true feelings from Jacqueline … and I told the Lord … I can’t Lord … this is way more than I can handle. I am still full of unhealed wounds from these past battles … this is too much and you have promised that you would not allow us to be tested more than we can endure (1 Cor 10:13) … and I am certain that at this stage, I am unable to endure this all over again. Then the Leukemia physician said, the second option is a simpler one. You join a special study at MDA that is targeting your specific Leukemia and you take one tiny dose of a liquid chemo by mouth daily at home. However, we are not sure if you qualify for that study. Your Leukemia should not be mutated, additionally we will need a chest x-ray, EKG, BMA and blood tests and they should all look acceptable … and by the way, your insurance should approve you joining this study.
Friday morning (today) we came to MDA … the Leukemia physician met with us, and to make a long story short, my Leukemia was not mutated, I had passed all the tests and my insurance provided the green light to proceed, so I was able to start on this tiny chemo dose today. PTL! I had to spend the whole day at MDA (came home @10:30pm). Per the study protocol, they had to monitor me after I took the first dose, which included 6 EKGs and 4 blood tests (I tell you, I have never been so happy to give blood as much as I did today ). I still have to show up tomorrow for more tests (but not as much) then on day 8, 15 and 18. Then do it again for the second month … and from there on, just take the meds (that tiny dose) at home until the physician determines a complete remission has been reached.
Thank you for your support and prayers. Your blog entries and emails have been a great blessing.
In His Grip,
Sami – Gnight !
Sami Lahoud 
the church prayed to the LORD special pryer for you and we trust that he heard our prayers and he will complete his well for the best for you and his church amen.
ALWAYS in my mind and prayers…ya habibna ya sami. Thank you for your faith, your sharing with us this journey. tu survies et tu survoles et c’est magnifique. xo
Praise our Awesome Lord!!! Samsoum, that is it habibi!!! راح لكتير وبقي الاليل… God willing no more pain and no more suffering. Full healing is awaiting for you ya Habib Albi ente.
I love you 💗💋
Cousin Chéri, tu nous transmets à tous ta force et ton courage, merci !
N’abandonne jamais.
Love, Jiji.
Sami, I love the quote “Everthing will be alright in the end, and if it’s not, then it’s not the end.” Not a day goes by that Mike and I don’t think about you and your family. KNOW that we BELIEVE that you can WIN this battle. Love and prayers are being sent to you daily. LOTS of love from Dubai.
I believe you have made the right choice and pray for complete healing. I pray that you will experience the peace that passes understanding as you walk through this valley. God bless you.
I am really encouraged by the results today, especially now that you are able to participate in this special program. I know you made the right choice Sami! We are all rooting for your full recovery here in Dubai\Iraq. STAY MOTIVATED SAMI! I am looking forward to your next update.
That’s so encouraging, hopefully this new treatment will be the one to finally defeat the leukemia for good. By the way, the insurance approval is a HUGE relief and blessing. God has spared you from another very ugly battle. We spent 2 years battling for Graces transplant since the insurance company deemed that therapy “experimental” therefore not covered. So happy you got the green light right away!
Amen! We are all standing firm with you. Our God is the Mighty Healer and He will prevail. I’m so excited to hear this news! Praying and giving thanks again and again.
Blessings,
Trudi
Sami, Jean and I are praying for you and your family. Scott Parrish
Sami, I am so happy that you have qualified and that you are moving forward. God is good and his grace is evident in all this. I will continue to pray – I have been praying multiple times a day for you. Blessings to you and your family, my brother!
Janelle (Avery)
Philippians 1:3-6,8
“I thank my God every time I remember you…I always pray with joy for you…confident that the One who began a good work in you will carry it on until it is completed. That will be on the day Christ Jesus returns. In prayers Sami
Sami – great that you have qualified for the special program as well as covered by the insurance. Rest calmly in the decision that He has helped you make. …MMPunch
That is great news regarding the study! You remain in my thoughts and prayers!
Sami, we love you so much …. always in our prayers.. our lord will never abandon you.
Habibi, praying for you. So relieved there is a less grueling option, and thankful that you qualified for it. All my love, Mona.
Sami,
I stand firm in continuing to pray for you. You have endured way more than anyone I know and have kept a good attitude and your faith in The Lord. Continue the March my friend, as we are marching with you. I know many people who have over come serious illnesses and they are standing strong to testify. Keep your faith in The Lord and He will be there as we will all the way.
Love you Brother,
Randy Hroch
Sent from my iPad
That is very great news Sami. I am so happy that you were approved for the second option. You and your family are always in my prayers. Stay strong my friend. May God continue to bless you with strength and faith in Him. PTL!
Sami, please know that you are always in our thoughts and prayers.
Sami: You and your family are in our prayers. Hang in there!
Mike Peterson
Dear Sami
I am amased by the strength the Lord gives you and how you always open your heart to his word no matter how hard life is , you always let him carry you in his arms. Your faith is a blessing!
My love and prayers for you and your family.
Martha Lahud
ونحن نعلم ان كل الاشياء تعمل معاً للخير للذين يحبون الله الذين هم مدعوون بحسب قصده
الله لا يدعنا نجرّب فوق ما نستطيع ان نحتمل بل يعطينا مع التجربة ايضًا المنفذ.
طوبي للرجل الذي يحتمل التجربة لأنه اذا تزكى ينال اكليل الحياة الذي وعد به الرب للذين يحبونه
الرب القادر على كل شيء
Sami:
I am a fellow prayer warrior with Kip and Shelly Gary. We share Sunday School class, Faith Under Fire, together. We all love the Lord. They are our Brother and Sister in Christ and therefore so are you. Kip relayed your situation to our class yesterday. The following versus are two of my favorites so I want to share them with you. A good friend of our Sunday School class posted Psalm 147:3 on my bathroom mirror when I was going though a very dark time. I read it every day until the post-it would no longer stick.
Psalm 147:3
He Heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.
I also find comfort in Psalm 91:4
He will cover you with His feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
Just wanted to share these with you as they are close to my heart. You are not alone for God hears you. Know that Faith Under Fire will be lifting you up.
Deborah Ann Hodgson (FUF)
Hi Sami,
My name is Sandra and I am in Sunday School with Kip and Shelly Gary.
Please know that we are lifting up You and your family during this very difficult time.
‘May the God of Hope fill you with all Joy and Peace as you Trust in Him” Rom.15:13.
Prayers for Healing,Comfort and Peace,
Sandr and Fil Waters
يا أخي العزيز، إيمانك يضيء الطريق لكل من حيرته الظلمة وكادت تسد الدرب، إيمانك فرح جمع أناسا كثيرين من كل أقطار العالم على اختلاف مذاهبهم وطوائفهم، صدق ينبوع يروي من ظمئت نفسه فيرتشف من نبل محبتك ليقوى على المعضلات، كلماتك صفاء يمنح الصبر لكل ضعيف، فتأكد يا أخي أنك منتصر، أنك الرابح الأكبر في هذا الصراع مع هذا المرض الموجع، الرب قادر ويحبك، فإذا كان الله معنا فمن علينا؟ أحبك كثيرا، Your sister,Mariam>.
May God keep you lifted one day at a time as you go through this new plan of action… You are in our prayers and thoughts daily Sami…
Dear Sami, I am asking the Lord to heal you and protect you from evil. May God bless you and your family and strengthen you at this hard time. We are lifting you up in front of God’s Throne trusting that He is almighty God Who can hearing and doing much more than we think but we need that Faith which can replace the mountains. I know that you an Jako have this kind of faith. Be strong in the Lord always.
Micheline Ghanimeh
Hi Jackline ,God is great, we trust him so much , ask God and the holly spirit to be with Sami ,strength you, God can heal him Again,God is great , God bless you and your family,Be strong in Lord always…. our heart with you keep praying .. Iam Serpo ( Salwa) ladies meeting in Dubai , love you habebte
Dear Sami, I am friends with your friends in Qatar, Maher and Frank. I am praying for you and for your family.
Sami,
We are still praying for you. Do NOT hesitate to contact us if you need anything.
Sami,
You are in my thoughts and prayers. What a witness you are to so many people – those you know and those you don’t. Be steadfast and strong! Our heavenly Father is with you every step of the way.
Sami,
You have ALWAYS been an inspiration for me and so many others, we continue to pray for your FULL recovery and I cannot wait to see your smiling face in the hallways of XOM offices inspiring and eletrifying everyone around. I surely cannot wait to see that very soon!
Stay strong as always!
Albert
Sami, Thinking of you daily, and in constant admiration as ever of your strength and spirit. You and Jacqueline and the whole family are always in our thoughts, and a true inspiration. With love, Salma and the Abdelnours
Sami – I am thrilled and relieved you have qualified for the at home program. I’ve silently followed your journey, but wanted you to know now that I’ve been praying for you all along. Your strength and faith are such an inspiration to all of us. Thank you Sami….