Sami Lahoud

Hi this is Wadad, Sami’s daughter. My Dad started his second Chemo treatment and at this stage he will be receiving his second BMT within a month. PTL!  I would like to share with you one thing that God has taught me through this journey.

It’s not easy with my Dad having cancer. Even though I fully trust God, it’s hard to let go of my Dad and fully submit him to God. With everything happening, sometimes I wonder why God doesn’t just hurry up! I understand that it’s God’s plan but I still find myself questioning Him sometimes. The devil knows this and comes when I’m weak or when I’m trying to be strong. He puts thoughts in my mind that make me doubt God, His plan and my faith at times. When I’m my weakest, is when I look at all the worldly facts of how things could go wrong. It reminds me of Peter when he walked on water. Reality is he cannot walk on water and when he began to walk his faith grew, but then weakened when he looked at his worldly surrounding. When we grow in faith, Satan doesn’t like it. He brings more waves into our lives and you look at the waves and begin to question and doubt God. “Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him. ‘You of little faith,’ he said, ‘why did you doubt?’ ” (Matthew 14:31). We tend to forget God is in control and that He is always there beside us and that His timing is perfect and with Him anything is possible. That’s how by faith I rest assured that God’s plan is what is best and that He is taking very good care of my Dad.

With Love,

Wadad

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

I started my second Chemo treatment.  Finished the first 7 days of IV and currently I am on day 5 of 14 for the pills. I am feeling great, as if there was nothing wrong with me. PTL. I do have some ups and downs, but nothing serious. When my blood counts are close to empty, I usually stop by MDA and get my tank refilled (PTL for all those blood and platelets donors) which puts my energy back on track within hours. I am amazed how I am still standing and strong through it all.  All my vital signs are intact. PTL

One interesting fact is that the odds of a successful BMT have changed.  I started on a 60% success rate path with almost no side effects.  That path was too good to be true.  I had a couple of serious bumps, but all in all, I was beating the odds and moving quickly towards full recovery.  I actually saw the finish line, I felt it close to my hand, it was just a matter of grabbing it and voila I would be home free … but no … there were other plans in play (Proverbs 19:21).  Just before I was getting ready to cross the finish line, my system relapsed.  What a devastation you might think … yes it was, but did not last for long since I was being carried on the everlasting arms of the Lord (Deuteronomy 33:27).

You see, if everything went so smoothly, then the medical world would have received all the credit. However, my odds are now down to a 20%-30% success rate. The physicians are not as excited as they were before.  Actually, they are unsure what to expect.  I am within their circle of unknowns, which is an amazing feeling, since most of my questions go unanswered – (what an opportunity for a heavenly miracle).

All this reminded me of Gideon – The miraculous power that stems from nothing but weakness and pure faith.  60% was too much in my case – not needed – nah! – such a high percentage will get all the credit in the wrong places (are you with me?).  He had to drop it by more than 50% and surround it with nothing but uncertainties … and then see who is still standing … well, I am … yes indeed I am still standing (Ephesians 6:13).

Thank you for your prayers, encouraging comments and emails.  If I reach full remission with this Chemo treatment, then it’s BMT part two – this one will be much better … actually in 3D 🙂  Have your glasses ready – (1 Corinthians 2:9)

Still Standing Strong in His Mighty Grip
Sami

The results of the Bone Marrow Aspiration (BMA) exceeded all expectations.  My Leukemia Physician said that I am ready for another Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) since my numbers look very promising.  However, since no one was expecting such a quick recovery, the Bone Marrow team was not ready.  Thus we should give them time to line up a donor.  Accordingly, I will have to undergo another targeted Chemo session while awaiting the BM team to get ready.

All in all, it was nothing but good news today (PTL!).  I am supposed to start another Chemo session on Monday and meet with the Bone Marrow Physician to discuss my next BMT.

Please keep me in your prayers.  We are expecting and hoping that this second BMT will be “IT”.  🙂

In His Grip

Sami

Dear Friends and Family,
It’s been a while since I provided an update. I was consumed with my new Chemo treatment and, as you know, time flies when … the Lord is taking care of you.  I just realized how long it has been since my last Blog entry.  I have had 7 days of IV chemo, followed by 14 days of targeted Chemo pills (two pills x2 day).  Yesterday was my last dose.   I now have to wait one week before going through (another – ya yes) Bone Marrow Aspiration (BMA).  The BMA is scheduled for Monday and the results should be out by Thursday.  The physicians will then recommend next steps based on those results.  The coolest thing is that I do not have to “worry” about anything since my Lord is in control.  I might get a bit frustrated here and there, from time to time,  but nothing is able to stick for long when you keep your focus on the “Real” thing (Hebrews 12:2).  This Journey has been nothing but a triumphant one, one battle at a time. PTL!

I cannot thank you enough for your faithful prayers and encouraging blog entries that keep us lifted up …

In His Mighty Grip

Sami

I wanted to share my thoughts with our beloved prayer warriors and friends so they know how I am feeling.  Your blog entries, emails and phone calls have been very encouraging. Thank you ! 

When the Physician Assistance (PA) laid the “bomb” about Sami’s relapse, I was devastated, to say the least !  I was sooo sure there was a mistake. The Lord had promised me that Sami was going to be healed!!!! I was so certain about it.  However, later that night, after the sounds of the storms and winds calmed down, in a gentle whisper, God brought to my attention the verse Sami and I had selected for our wedding ” He makes all things beautiful in His time” Ecc 3:1.  It’s not only that His ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts, but also His time is not our time ! – – The Lord gave me full peace now.  His peace that surpasses all understanding.

I praise you Lord because You are good all the time ! Healing is coming “in His perfect time” !

Thank you for your prayers, care and support.

In His Gentle Grip

Jacqueline Lahoud

Shall I only accept good from God, and not trouble? (Job 2:10)

Is God our genie and only praised when things go our way? Just a thought to start my Monday blog after a long day at MDA.
Let me shoot straight and tell you my friends that the news I was given today was not the best.  I was informed that, surely enough, there is a sign of Leukemia in my Bone Marrow.  Exactly 4%.  Although a low percentage, I was told that I will need to undergo more Chemo Therapy Sessions (back to square one).  I was presented with two options.  Option #1 – heavy Chemo, that would destroy everything in sight, similar to what I received when my Leukemia level was in the 90% or option #2 – very targeted low dose sessions that would go straight to the Leukemia cells.  I was informed that in both cases, I will “most probably” end up needing a new transplant (believe it or not – hm, hm, hm).  Of course I opted for option #2, however, requested that before we commence this regiment to conduct another Bone Marrow Test to determine where things were (since there was a chance that the high level of the Graft vs Host Medication I was taking last week was interfering with the performance of the new Bone Marrow).  The physicians agreed to this approach and I had a new Bone Marrow test today (ouch! – the good news is that my right side was hurting from last week’s test – today’s test was on my left side, so my back is well-balanced 🙂  ).  The results should be out within a few days.  I need your faithful prayers.

Whatever happens, it will all be for the good (Romans 8:28).  Capturing 4% at this stage is a blessing vs capturing +50% later. Plus I got a lot of practice last time around, so I know what to expect and how to handle it 🙂 – – –  My prayer at this stage is similar to Jesus’ ” If You are willing please take this cup away from me, yet not my will but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42).

In His Mighty Grip

Sami

Please pray for Julie!  

From: Rebecca Dunaway <rdunaway44@yahoo.com>
Date: January 25, 2012 6:32:26 PM CST
To: undisclosed recipients
Subject: URGENT PRAYER REQUEST

My daughter, Julie Catherine Lee, has been battling leukemia and everything was going as expected, but then last Thursday she was admitted with horrible pain.  We thought it was her bladder because she has the BK virus that attacks this organ, but then we were told that she had an inflamed colon.  Today we were informed that she has GVHD, (Guest Versus Host Disease) which is her body trying to reject the bone marrow transplant.  Please be lifting my precious daughter in prayer for a total healing and for the doctors to be anointed with all of the wisdom, knowledge and skill that they need to help Julie.
 
I praise God that she was admitted last week for pain and thereby giving her medical staff a jump-start on what was REALLY happening!  Praise our awesome God, the Ever Present One who is always with us!
 
In His love,
 
Becky Dunaway
rdunaway44@yahoo.com

I just realized how much time had passed without me posting an update … <bad boy>
I was re-reading the comments and found it very interesting how diverse they were – meaning, people located in France, commented in French, the ones in Iraq commented in Arabic and the rest in English.  Very interesting!

This morning Iraqis called from Basra to check on me and my mom requested to speak with them.  As you can imagine, it was an emotional call.  I met some of the nicest people while in Basra.  Such loving, kind and caring people.  I was very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with them.  I miss them tremendously.

Last week I caught a cold, but my body was well enough to withstand it. PTL.  That was a good test 🙂  it did not have a major impact on my health.  Runny nose, some body aches, a simple cough, however, most importantly, no fever ! it was a great blessing.  I am currently on day 85 and have not experienced any serious issues whatsoever.  Everything has been minor to date.  PTL.  I am scheduled to have a bone marrow aspiration this coming Friday to make sure my remission is still on track.  Our prayer is that this test will be nothing but good news.  I am currently 15 days away from my 100 day watch … so far, so blessed.  PTL

Some of you might have heard that my Mom’s home almost burned in Lebanon.  She had an overloaded electric socket that blew and ended up burning her living room (including carpets, AC units, blinds, furniture, etc …) and extending black fumes to the bedrooms and kitchen … it was a disaster.  Interestingly enough, my mom considered it a blessing since she was here and thus no one was hurt … she praised the Lord that day (even though she had no insurance) 🙂 .  I have always considered her an exceptional role model.  She never ceases to amaze me.

As I am approaching day 100, I want to thank you, once more, for your faithful prayers !  They have sustained us during this challenging, yet blessed journey.

In His Grip

Sami