Sami Lahoud

Day 68

Excuse me but who are you?
How would you feel if your friends no longer recognize you? I had numerous friends stop by to say hello (from a distance), yet each one of them did NOT recognize me once we met. (LOL!).  They would look at me and immediately look away trying to … track me down (go figure).  None recognized me until I started speaking.  Ah, so blessed to still have my voice (and most importantly, accent) that people can associate with.  The minute I speak, voila! the smiles pop up and everything is back on track.  The confusion stems from not having any hair.  None whatsoever 🙂  I was told that as long as I remain on certain medication, I should not expect much hair.  Jacqueline, Wadad and Jeanette say that I look cute (who needs cute?) … Samir, the one who always saves the day, says that I look like an Avatar Kung Fu fighter (which sounds much better).  Sometimes when I look in the mirror I don’t even recognize myself.  A very strange feeling … however, it’s all good.  The most important thing is that my numbers and health are still doing great!  I started walking for one hour a day and, little by little adding more sit-ups and push-ups.  I told Wadad that I want to play her basketball next week … she smiled and said that she does not want to hurt me … oooooo …. that gave me the motivation I needed to start exercising more often (I believe she knew the effect of her comment – LOL).

My physician is very happy with my numbers.  I am totally off IV fluids (hospital and home).  Currently I see him only once a week.  (PTL)

2011 was an amazing year, full of miracles. I am looking forward to 2012.  Whatever comes our way … remember,  If the Lord is for us, who can be against us  (Romans 8:31).

Thank you for your priceless prayers and support.

In His Grip

Sami

Day 52

For the first time, my Transplant Physician gave me a “gold star”.  He said he was extremely pleased with my results to date.  I asked him if I could eat vegetables, beyond the tomatoes and cucumbers he had approved, his reply was “eat whatever you want as long as you have it cleaned really well”.  That evening, I ate three large bowls of freshly homemade Tabouleh (ya habibi).  I could not stop eating … it was out of this world. The next day Jacqueline took my orders and I ended up eating her specialty chicken crepes, hot salsa with pico degallo and, of course,  Tabouleh again … PTL – hm, hm, hm … all this great food is making me gain strength again.  The only thing I am lacking is a good level of Magnesium.  At this stage, I have to take 4 pills a day (500 mg each) until I reach an acceptable level. 

Well, based on my doctor’s feedback, I am leaning towards not taking part of the research study that requires me to take 1 Chemo shot a month for a year (still praying about it).  

While visiting MDA this week, we were amazed how many patients were alone (out of towners) and will be spending Christmas and New Year by themselves at the hospital.  A very sad situation.  It made me realize how blessed I was to be home, surrounded by loved ones.  PTL 

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  You have been a great blessing to me. Your support and prayers are the best gift any patient can recieve.  I am looking forward to celebrating  a successful 100 day milestone with all of you.  🙂

In His Grip,
Sami

Day 44. 
So far, so blessed.  All is good.  I only had one bump where I experienced some side effects.  The past week was a bit rough since some of my medication needed adjustment and my magnesium level was too low.  Every time I walked my feet would feel like fire (as if I was actually walking on fire) and my hands were ultra sensitive.  The physicians had to adjust my meds and, once the levels settled in their acceptable range, (as of today) I was able to function normally again. PTL !  However, it was an incredible experience.  Simple walking felt as if I was walking on fire. My feet were hot hot hot !  m, m, m … it gave me an idea of what one could expect if they missed the priceless salvation available to them.   🙂  John 3:16

While at MDA this week, I was asked if I would like to participate in a Bone Marrow Transplant research study.  The study entails the participants to enlist for a year and to commit to taking one small Chemo shot a month for 12 months.  As I mentioned in a previous blog, with a bone marrow transplant, there is a 60% chance for a complete healing, 20% for a relapse and 20% to expire.  Apparently, this study is trying to prove that this treatment will minimize the 20% relapse.  They will not have firm results before the end of the study.  My initial reaction was “I am done with Chemo – no more – my body had it’s fair share – that’s it“.  My second reaction was that, “in my opinion, the Lord has already healed me – so no more Chemo for me”.  I currently do not have any blast (bad cells) in my blood. Not even an acceptable range.  Still, I am praying for wisdom to see what the Lord wants me to do … I would appreciate your prayers too.  According to the stats, there is a 20% that a bone marrow recipient might relapse by day 100.   Any Godly thoughts? 

I am praying that I will pass day 100 with flying Godly colors !   As usual, I appreciate your faithful prayers.  We’re almost there!  

In His Grip
Sami

Today I was informed that my Donor is a male.  No additional information beyond that.  After one year, I can request to meet him via MDA, and if he is interested, I will be given the information to contact him directly.  As you can imagine, the whole family would love to meet him.  Hopefully he will be open to being hugged and kissed Lebanese style, otherwise … what a surprise!  However, the most interesting news is that he has been more than a perfect match for me.  Currently his bone marrow is fully functioning in my body, much sooner than expected.  My blood type has changed from B+ to O+. His bone marrow is  in full control, producing all the required blood cells without any sign of blast (i.e, bad cells).  Everyone at MDA was amazed how quickly this happened.  My white blood count is in the normal range and my platelets are increasing by the day, all without needing any drugs to boost the bone marrow into producing more cells.  Before the transplant I was informed that I will be needing shots on a daily basis, for approx 30 days.  I was also informed that in my case, since I received a bone marrow transplant (vs Stem Cells) it will take longer for it to graft and that I will not be able to eat any vegetables before day 100, etc … all this information and speculation turned out not applying to my case.  The doctors are amazed with how quickly my bone marrow is healing.  I am not on any drugs to stimulate my bone marrow, my donor’s bone marrow is in full control producing all the required cells, my white count has reached the normal range, my platelets are increasing by the day and today, I was given the green light to start eating certain vegetables (“certain” since per their protocol I should not be in this state before day 100).  PTL!   Still, they are keeping me under a close watch until day 100.  In other words, I will be surrounded with special MD body guards, checking on me on a regular basis …. I feel special.  🙂

The ENT physician checked my tracheotomy today and mentioned that it should heal within another week.  PTL <  can’t wait until I am able to speak freely 🙂 >

All in all we are left speechless by the Lord.  Truly He has been faithful … 

One thought in closing.  It is sad how many patients we met that are still waiting on donors.  Some have been waiting for years … Imagine if you were a donor and ended up being a perfect match and saving someone’s life.  What a blessing you will be and what a ministry you will have.  It’s a very easy process.  To register call 1-800-marrow2.  They will send you a mouth swab. You just do it and send it back to them.  Once a match is identified, they will contact you, and if you are still interested, they will schedule a date/time at your convenience to take your stem cells.  The process is as simple as giving blood.  Think about it.

Thank you for your faithful prayers and for supporting me through this journey.  We are almost there … Thank you!

In His Grip,

Sami

Milestone #1.  Day 30 is considered a key day.  That is when they assess the state of the patient, how well they have fared post the transplant, which I was told I am doing exceptionally well, and … hm, hm, hm … conduct a Bone Marrow Aspiration and Biopsy (I don’t like it).  A Bone Marrow Aspiration removes a small amount of bone marrow fluid and cells through a needle put into a bone (lower back area).   A bone marrow biopsy removes bone with the marrow inside.  Well, I had both today.  The results should be out by early next week  – (one of the tests is to determine if my old bone marrow or the donor’s are actually producing cells – hopefully it will be the donor’s).

The ENT doctor checked my tracheotomy and said that it was healing quite well.  btw, a tracheotomy is an opening through the neck into the trachea (windpipe) to allow direct access to the breathing tube. The doctor expects mine to be completely healed within two weeks.  He commented that under normal circumstances it would have taken 7 days to heal, however, since my whole system is still in recovery stage, it will take longer for my tracheotomy to heal.

The best news is that I have no sign of “blasts = bad cells” in my blood, my white blood cells have reached a normal range and my platelets are moving upward in the right direction by themselves (i.e. no need for transfusion).

On a different note, I was thinking today how far I have been … how many different valleys and furnaces I walked through, all in a very short period of time. … and it’s amazing how many loved ones, from all over the world, (including you) have walked with me, step by step, trying to feel what I felt, supporting me with faithful prayers and encouraging messages … and through it all, we have seen the Grip of the Lord, strongly holding me … answering prayers and turning this trial into a very blessed journey.  It was amazing how He encouraged every one of us, in a very special way.  What an awesome God we serve …

I love you, LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,  my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold – Psalm 18:-1-6

In His Grip,

Sami

As you can imagine, it was a very emotional Thanksgiving Day at home.  I was able to join the family! and enjoy a very blessed Thanksgiving Day, remembering the faithfulness of our Lord. It was a priceless day.  
One of the many blessings I thanked the Lord for was … your faithful prayers and support!.  
I am now on transplant day #24 and everything looks perfect so far.  First major milestone is day 30.  That is when I will have my first post transplant bone marrow aspiration to officially determine how the new system is functioning.  Our prayer is that the results will be perfect 🙂 

I thank my God every time I remember you (especially on this Thanksgiving Day !)  🙂   – Phil 1:3

In His Grip
Sami

Thank you for your faithful prayers!!!

Yesterday the ENT doctor stopped by and, after conducting his tests, surprised us by concluding that my throat was fully healed. PTL !!!  He adjusted my tracheostomy tube and I was able to start speaking !!!! He then approved me eating solid food !!!  He is also planning to remove it this week.  If that happens, I will then be released to go home !!!! PTL.

Well, after being silent for weeks, Jacqueline was standing by my side, when the doctor asked me to say something .. (Ayaya, I thank the Lord for such special opportunities that turn our mourning into joyful dancing) … I paused and, the first thing that came out of my mouth was, “I LOVE YOU JACQUELINE”  …. I know for a fact that from Jacqueline’s teary eyes, and comments later made to the family, that this move earned me unlimited, unrestricted, priceless Jacqueline points !!!!! 🙂 – what a awesome God we serve !!!

You O Lord, have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy – Psalm 30:11

In His Grip,
Sami

This is Lamia, Sami’s sister writing to you from his ICU room. He is comfortable in his bed, hooked up to different lines and machines. He cannot talk so he has a marker and a dry erase board with which he communicates.

Last Saturday, Day 12 since his transplant, he was not doing well with very low white blood cells and no platelets. He had difficulty breathing and almost choked at different instances. So the decision was made to intubate him and “put him to sleep” for a few days as also the pain was intolerable.

You have not heard from him, because for 4 full days he was asleep in the arms of Jesus who took his pain away and helped him get better. I literally saw his room full of fluffy angels and “the one the Lord loves was resting on His shoulders” (Deuteronomy 33:12).

Day 18, yesterday, they decided to remove the tube as his blood count was back to a safe number. However, his throat was still very irritated and they did not want to risk another choking incident, especially at night, so they performed another surgery where they made a hole in his neck so he can breathe freely. And then they woke him up.

He will be in ICU for a day or 2 as he is now stable. Back in a normal room for a few more days. Then they will close the hole in his neck and send him home.
He is not able to get visitors and currently only Jacqueline and I are allowed  by his bedside.

This week has been a very stressful week yet we felt “carried by the everlasting arms”.
We knew prayer warriors were on their knees and that’s what kept us going.

We cherish your continuous prayers, hopefully I posted this correctly and next time it will be Sami writing!

Lamia Raad

On day 7 (Nov 7), they started giving me a shot a day in my tummy to stimulate my bone marrow. I was informed that typically within 7 days, these shots will start stimulating the bone marrow to produce white cells, however, in my case it might take longer since I received bone marrow stem cells.  So far, I have had the best nurses give me the shots.  Today, I had to ask my nurse to double-check that the needle actually went through my tummy and not her finger, since I did not feel it at all.  PTL.  I nick named her feather hands.

I was informed that within a week or so I should feel bone pain which is a sign that my bone marrow is starting to work.  It’s the first time in my life when I look forward to pain 🙂

Sometimes I get a strange feeling when I wake up in the morning and realize that I am still in the hospital.  The same room, same furniture, same 4 walls … however, I quickly snap out of it and realize how blessed I am when I walk the hallways and meet other patients and hear their stories.  I am quickly humbled.

Still, to be honest, I am looking forward to the day when I will be able to walk freely outside, drive where I feel like going, eat what I want to, run aimlessly and hug whoever is huggable …  Have you thanked the Lord lately on how fortunate you are for being able to do all these simple things we tend to take for granted?

My prayer is that my bone marrow will get going asap 🙂 –  As usual, I appreciate and count on your prayers <thank you>

In His Grip
Sami

The nurse that oversaw my transplant on Monday, stopped by this evening, for the first time since my transplant, to say hello. Her immediate reaction was of “disbelief”.  She told me that I should have had a plethora of side effects, however, I had none.  Truly, I have none worth mentioning.  No fever, no nausea, no mouth sores, no body aches … nothing.  It’s the reverse, I feel great, my hair is still growing, my body is full of energy.  Actually, every doctor who stopped by had voiced amazement regarding my state. PTL!

Per the MDA transplant protocol, it takes 7 days for the donor’s stem cells to position themselves within my bone marrow.  Accordingly, on day 7  (this coming Monday) is when the bone marrow stimulation will commence.  I will be given 1 bone marrow stimulating injection a day until my bone marrow starts producing cells via my donor’s stem cells. They expect needing a longer engraftment period in my case since I received Bone Marrow Cells.  Accordingly, if all goes well, they are expecting it to take 2-3 weeks before I am done.  Of course, we might end up with another miracle and I might check out earlier than expected. 🙂

I am in amazement at this stage.  Simply humbled.  The Lord has been too good … although I am sitting in a furnace, I do not even feel the heat, actually, the heat seems unable to touch me. PTL

I greatly appreciate and need your prayers (thank you).  The next few weeks are very critical and it is obvious that the Lord has been encouraging us all to return to prayer and to lift each other up. James 5:16

In His Grip
Sami