Sami Lahoud

[UPDATE 10:00pm: IT IS CONFIRMED THAT PLATELETS CANNOT BE STORED FOR MORE THAN A DAY.  ACCORDINGLY, WE WILL NEED TO PLAN ONE PLATELETS DONOR A DAY. JACQUELINE WILL HANDLE THE SCHEDULE TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE NO CONFLICTS OR MISSING DAYS.  HER CELL IS 832-606-3243.  PLEASE CALL HER IF YOU ALREADY SCHEDULED A DAY SO SHE CAN UPDATE THE CALENDAR, OR IF YOU NEED TO SCHEDULE A DAY- DON’T FORGET TO MENTION THAT THE DONATION IS FOR SAMI LAHOUD MRN 0890098  🙂 ] -Thank you!

[ UPDATE 3:21pm: YOUR RESPONSE WAS OVERWHELMING. THANK YOU. SO FAR WE ARE COVERED FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS. WE DISCOVERED THAT WE CANNOT GIVE PLATELETS TOO MUCH IN ADVANCE.  THEY SHOULD BE CAREFULLY SCHEDULED. ACCORDINGLY, WE ARE GOING TO COME UP WITH A SCHEDULE THAT WOULD MAKE IT EASIER ON ALL ] – Thank you

Yesterday I was very tired and could not blog. My Platelets count was very low.  I was asked to stay in bed as much as possible and be very careful walking around not to bounce into anything. Any bleeding, small or big, could be a disaster. The doctors concluded that I am having problem with the doses of Platelets I am getting since they are not from a single donor.  You see, when different people give blood, the blood center separates their Platelets and then joins them as one Platelets dose.  As an example, if I give blood, they would separate my platelets and combine it with the Platelets of 8 other blood donors to make a dose.  That will make a mixed Platelets dose.  However, if I come to the blood center and request to give a Platelets dose, they will only focus on getting Platelets from my blood until they have a dose. It takes 8 blood donations to add one Platelets dose vs 1 Platelet donation equals one Platelets dose.  Individuals can donate a Platelets dose every two days vs donate blood every 8 weeks. What I was told I need is Platelets from one donor for each time I need a dose. Blood type does not matter.  Different donors each time does not matter.  It’s just that when I get my Platelets dose it has to be from one donor.   So with this in mind (and I feel guilty asking) we are looking for volunteers in “Houston” who are willing to donate a Platelets dose at MD Anderson, under my name, so I end up getting single donor Platelet doses when needed (so far its been every day).  Please if you do give Platelets in my name, keep us informed via this blog or email so we can track how many we have.  Again, I feel guilty asking … but I have no choice.  On a brighter side, I am able to eat and drink normally, which is priceless, so I cannot complain, but rather just PTL since His mercies endures forever !

If you are able and willing to give a Platelets dose, here’s more information

You have to mention that it is for Sami Lahoud MRN 0890098

Platelet Donors: Must be at least 17 years old, healthy and within 48 hours prior to donating platelets refrained from taking aspirin / aspirin-containing products such as: ibuprofen, Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, Excedrin, Aleve and herbal supplements containing garlique, ginseng, ginkgo biloba or ginger. Airborne is included because it contains ginger. Energy drinks that contain any of the previous products will also defer you for 48 hours for platelet donations.  Travel: You cannot donate if you have traveled in the past year to an area that is considered to be high risk for malaria as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Location : MD Anderson Blood Bank
Blood Donor Center – Holly Hall
2555 Holly Hall (just east of Almeda)
Houston, TX 77054
Free parking available

Hours: Monday  – Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday – Sunday: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Phone: (713) 792-7777

Philippians 1:3

BEHIND THE SCENES.
I decided to focus this blog entry to sharing with you, on a personal basis, what I went through during my Chemo treatment and, most importantly, what got me standing again.

So far I have been at MDA for 19 days.  The first 4 days I was given heavy, intense Chemo. Those 4 days and nights were very dark and gloomy. My mind started playing tricks on me.  I was seeing visions.  My body started acting weird. I could feel that I was falling apart, slowly, but surely. My appetite was gone. My thirst increased, but I was unable to drink.  Oh how I longed to be able to drink water to my content – however, to no avail.  The nights were long and the days felt meaningless.  I could sense that I was falling apart.  My body started developing rashes and my mouth was a mess. Once they stopped the Chemo, my body started reacting in strange ways.  I no longer understood it …  “BUT” all along I noticed something very obvious … through it all my spirit and my faith were intact. That was an incredible feeling. What the Chemo was doing to my body, it could not touch my spirit or my faith. It was so obvious that the Lord was in full control. I could feel Him. Additionally, every single day I would get updates from the body of faith on how many groups were fasting for me until I am able to eat and drink again … the numerous emails from the beloved (from all over the world) saying how the Lord stopped them in the middle of an activity where they felt the need to pray for me and immediately got on their knees and fervently started praying … others telling me how they awoke in the middle of the night and rushed on their knees in prayer for me … thus I was surrounded and lifted up by ” the effective, fervent prayers of the righteous that avails much” (James 5:16).  Yes the Chemo was strong, yes the nights were dark, yes my body was getting weaker … but my spirit and faith were intact and the prayers of the believers were fervent, effective and mighty and the Lord heard them all … that is why today, after everything I’ve been through, I stand strong (Ephesians 6:13) and I can say, “even though I walked through the valley of Chemo, I am still standing, for You are with me, Your rod and Your staff they comfort me”.  What an awesome God we serve.

As of today, I am able to eat and drink (PTL).  I am also saving money on hair cuts … and, most importantly, feel I am getting better and stronger by the day. Still,  I desperately need and count on your daily prayers for full speedy recovery.  The road is still challenging, but your prayers will pave the way for a smoother path.

Philippians 1:3

As mentioned earlier, my hair was falling so they gave me a shower cap to contain it. However, by the end of the day yesterday, I looked like half a Charlie Chaplin.  Half of my moustaches were gone.  So I decided to take the matter into my own hands.  I grabbed my beard trimmer and shaved everything in sight. I started with my beard, followed by whatever was left from my moustaches and into the hair on my head.  Once done, I looked in the mirror and, honestly, did not recognize myself. I had a “mirror self-shocking” moment.  I looked like a Kung Fu Avatar from the Mountains of Lebanon (unheard of).  So I washed my baldness and got ready for bed when I noticed that there is a cool current running around my head.  All of a sudden my head was cold.  Since I had nothing to cover it, I called the nurse and, after she tried to hide her reaction to my new look (should had seen her face), she was kind enough to get  me a surgeon’s cap.  My head was warm again and I was able to sleep.   🙂

A thought to keep in mind.  You know that being in isolation can very easily and quickly get to you if you do not experience some sort of wind of  change on a regular basis.  Imagine  if everyday was the same … that will quickly turn my room into a claustrophobic four walls.  Loosing my hair at this stage brought the best change ever. So far every time I look in the mirror or see my reflection on the screen I am shocked.  I always find something new.  I never realised how large my lips will look once the moustaches are gone. This evening as I am typing my update I noticed that my nose is actually  more of an Italian nose than a Lebanese 🙂  – It is so cool to have this new image that keeps me discovering things vs focusing on my four walls.   I love it. However, the coolest part (root cause) is that it’s all part of the promises found in Joshua 1:5, I will never leave you nor forsake you – meaning that my Lord will remain interested in my minute details, keeping me busy, sane and full of peace until I am out of this isolation.

Thank you for your faithful prayers for a speedy recovery. I am counting on them.

Today I received a new surprise.  Hair hair everywhere, yet none of it on my head. 🙂 I saw hair on my pillows, on my bed, on the floor, on the table … everywhere, yet none of it on my head. The time has come.  I was warned that my hair will start falling, and surely enough, it started today. So, they gave me a shower cap to contain it until it’s all gone.  I look like a cook in the kitchen (no hair in your food – guaranteed). The cool thing is that I do not have to inventory my hair to make sure I get it all back.  That has already been done and covered according to Luke 12:7 ” Indeed the very hairs on  your head are all numbered. So do not be afraid”.  So why me worry?.  btw, I was always interested in shaving my head to see how it feels – out of curiosity – however, the time was never right since I work in corporate America and that is a big no-no.  Well, now I get to experience it.

Isn’t it wonderful that we serve a living God that is interested with the intricate details of our life down to the number of our hair?  what a mighty and personal God we serve.

Thank you for your faithful prayers for speedy recovery.  I am counting on them.  🙂

Yesterday I was unable to speak much, which is the same case this morning. My voice is gone.  However, when Jacqueline stopped by and described her soup for me … the baby kafta balls, swimming with baby carrots, green beans and special spices … something inside of me “moved”.  I felt as if my appetite was back … I really wanted her home-made soup and wanted it now. So the nurse brought it in, and of course, I was very cautious since I tend to get excited about food, until I taste it, then I am, typically, immediately full.  However, in this case, I tasted how good the soup was and could not stop eating it.  I was eating those baby kafta balls, drinking the delicious soup, the carrots were out of this world … I could not stop eating. For once I was hungry and feeding my hunger ! It’s as if I had no food for ages. I had to force myself to stop in fear that it was too much.  Then, after resting for a while, rejoicing for the moment, I grabbed Jacqueline’s rise pudding (Riz Be Hallib) and clobbered it. It was delicious. Then a thought came to me … forget about my voice, who needs it in isolation !  give me my appetite back. That’s what I need.  For  a moment, it reminded me how sometimes our preachy voices can be heard everywhere, but down deep, our appetite for the Word of God is not much.  So my prayer is for Him to hunger me for his Word, to the point that I “cannot stop eating it”, just like Jacqueline’s delicious soup.  That’s what I need.  What about you?

I appreciate all of your priceless prayers for speedy recovery. I need and count on them.

Last night was a rough night. I threw up twice. The second time was a bit harsh and dry, which made me cough a lot to the point that I ended up losing my voice, which is an interesting experience. I am unable to speak at this stage. I nudge my head down and up for yes and no. Try to whisper a bit here and there. It is an incredible experience. Have you ever listened to your voice? or thanked the Lord that you are able to clearly speak and be heard? The experience I am currently going through is priceless.  It is making me realize how many things I have taken for granted. Think about it. You have a healthy body, able to move around freely (no IV machine following you around), a clear voice, able to eat what you want and taste it like it is … yet, you take it all for granted. Dr. Dotty, who is currently with the Lord, was a missionary and spent a lot of time in Lebanon. When he retired, he used to visit us in Houston and stay at our house. One morning when we were eating breakfast, I asked him for some words of wisdom. He said, Satan has blinded us where we no longer realize how “fragile” life is. We think everything that we have is so firmly rooted forever and thus take it all for granted, while, everything is very fragile and can tip over at any moment. Dr Adrian Rogers once said, if you have not yet faced hard times, keep on living, for surely they will come, however, will you be ready for them?  So the thought that came to mind this morning is, if everything is so fragile and can tip over at any moment, I better have a foundation to hold me strong when things start falling apart.  Accordingly, what is my foundation? my health? Job? Economy? Financial stability? I must have a solid foundation that will hold me strong when everything around me tips over, because it will, sooner or later.  To me the answer was clear. It is my faith in my living God and knowing that He is full control of everything that happens to me.  I peacefully rest in this truth.  So my question to you is, what is your foundation? what will hold you strong when everything around you starts falling apart? have you tested it? are you sure it will work when you need it most?

Background
You may know that we moved from Houston to Dubai almost a year ago (July 2010).  We prayed for God’s guidance and everything fell into place (a lot of details).  It was a great assignment.  Our three kids integrated very well into the American School of Dubai, my wife Jacqueline was able to quickly surround herself with solid friends and I had a great position.  The icing on our Dubai cake arrived when we discovered the Fellowship of the Emirates Church.  So all in all, in a few months, everything became business as usual for all.  Homework night, family time, Friday services, etc. until, all of a sudden … everything changed.

What Changed
It all started while the family was spending July 2011 in Houston and I was by myself in Dubai. In the second week of July, I started feeling harsh symptoms including  severe, ongoing, headaches that over-the –counter medication would not help.    I endured the symptoms, however, when high fever surfaced,  I decided to go to the closest Hospital. To keep the timing of this in perspective,  it was  Monday the 18^th of July, 2011 around 5PM.

Spiritual side – note#1:

In church, three days earlier the Pastor’s message was titled, “What would you do when all of sudden you are faced with a tragedy where everything around you just falls apart and you are all alone?” The sermon hit me hard that Friday and I was meditating on it Saturday and Sunday when … everything changed.   I had no idea that the Lord was preparing me for what is to come. (The main verses used from the sermon were from Psalm 62: 1-2, verse 1  Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him;  and verse 2 Truly he is my rock and my salvation;  he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.) – My anchor was being stabilized, and, little did I know, that a huge storm was heading towards my boat. J

Details Surrounding The Preliminary Diagnosis

Back  to Monday the 18^th of July, 2011 around 5PM.  The first hospital in Dubai checked my vital signs, added an IV for headache medication and blood test.  Once the results were back, Physician #1 asked me to seek another Hospital since they were not equipped with dealing with cases that had “such” a high/abnormal number of white blood cells.  At this stage I thought that Physician #1 needed assistance, so I had to think quickly and recommend we contact my brother- in- law (Dr. Issam Raad, Chairman of Infectious Disease at MD Anderson Cancer Center ) for a second opinion, for which she was very flattered and agreed to it.

Spiritual side – note #2

While Physician  #1 was sharing the news with me, I unlocked my Black Berry  to call my brother-in-law, Issam and realized that I had a new email titled DIVINE HEALTH on top of my inbox – – –  as you can imagine, I had to read it, since it took me by surprise … little did I know that my anchor was being  further stabilized.   How could I possibly know that a huge storm was heading towards my boat. Here it comes:

From: Bonnie –removed last name  <removedmailaddress@yahoo.com>
To: Lahoud, Sami S
Sent: Mon Jul 18 16:36:44 2011
Subject: DIVINE HEALTH

Thank God for what He has already done!  Make this affirmation 3 or 4 times per day.
I see health as a divine fact in my life.  I am accepting the Resurrection of health in my life and it is a divine transaction. Therefore, there is no greater power than the power of God.  I am at one with God therefore I have an inherited right to be healthy.  I have authority over all sickness and disease.  I permit the Holy Spirit to release divine and permanent health in my body now.  Cells of my body, I speak to you now!  Cells function like you were designed and created to function.  Cells, line up with God’s word now!  Health, peace and prosperity run through my body NOW!  In the name of Jesus Christ!  The BLOOD on it!  Amen!

WELL AND BLESSED ON PURPOSE!!!
—————————————————
From: Lahoud, Sami S
Sent: Monday, July 18, 2011 10:57 AM
To: ‘removedemailaddress@yahoo.com’
Subject: Re: DIVINE HEALTH
Msg Class:Unclassified

I am at the emergency room. I was told I have a nasty infection that is unbelievable. They are going to run the tests again … I just read your timely email. My family is in Houston. You always show up on time.
——————————————————–
Continuation of Details Surrounding the Preliminary Diagnosis

Additional good news, when I called Issam, it turned out that he was in Lebanon instead of the US, which was perfect. When Issam was finished speaking with Physician #1, he had agreed that they are not set up to deal with my issues. Accordingly, I ended up going to the only hospital in Dubai that I was told could help.  When I arrived, it had a full Emergency Room (ER) yet only one physician on duty. They were supposed to have two physicans, however, one had not shown up.   I requested to see the nurse and showed her my blood results.  I was immediately admitted to the emergency room,  however, keep in mind the picture of just one Physician and a crowded ER.  By that time it’s almost 8 PM.  When Physician #2 showed up to my room, he was very kind, a bit stressed, read the results from the other hospital, asked his questions, then paused for a second, which gave me the perfect  opportunity to recommend we contact my brother in law (Dr. Raad) J which, of course, he welcomed the idea.   After a strategy was devised, I had multiple blood tests done, a chest x-ray, Lumbar Puncture test (believe it or not by Physician # 2 – a story by itself) and two IV antibiotics. By 7AM on Wednesday morning (approx. 14 hours later) I was told that I will be relocated from ER and admitted to the Hospital, that news was delivered by Physician # 3 (day shift) who was clueless as to where things were, since he had just arrived, which gave me the perfect  opportunity to recommend we contact (yes you guessed it) my brother in law (Dr. Raad) which, of course, he  also welcomed that idea.  While the Physicians were chatting, Physician # 4 showed up to discuss my admission to her floor. While she was asking me to provide her the history of my saga, a new Physician, # 5 popped out of nowhere, he was a Hematologist and demanded to speak with me in private.  He spoke in plain Lebanese and was very strict. He said “Sami you are a US Citizen. Do not waste any time here.  Leave tonight for America since you have Leukemia.  Nothing can be done for you over here”.

Now let’s keep things in perspective here for a  second.   There is a difference between someone suspecting sinusitis or even meningitis, however, once you start talking Leukemia, you have crossed over to the dark side … that is a totally different ball game for which I was not expecting to qualify.  Still, since he was the last physician that had not met my brother- in- law I went ahead and introduced him to Issam J.  Afterall, what’s one more introduction!?

After further discussion, Issam agreed that I should return to Houston asap!  That decision was made on Tuesday, the 19^th of July around 9PM.

Back to Houston

Before flying to Houston, I returned to our home in Dubai, called the family in Houston, shared the news and grabbed a few items while trying to secure a direct flight with Emirates, that would put me in Houston on Wednesday the 20^th around 4:30PM.

Spiritual side – note #3

If you do not have real strong prayer warriors in your life, you are missing a lot of blessings. So I had to send a handful of emails to my serious prayer circle and they immediately extended it from there. One example is below

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Instead of sending the Prayer of the Day I need to ask for your diligent and effectual prayers for a dear brother who is a member of the small group that I regularly send the Prayer of the Day. His name is Sami and he has …

And the emails started flying around among the faithful.

Once in Houston, we had a mini family reunion and I was informed that I had an appointment at MD Anderson first thing in the morning which was for Thursday the 21^st .

MD Anderson (MDA)

Issam was arriving the next day, but had arranged the appointment.  The first surprise was when MDA  welcomed me as a patient (while I thought I was just seeking a second opinion).  I was not given a chance to consider otherwise.  I guess once you get to MDA it means you need serious treatment. I was immediately given a wrist band with my patient number.  I looked around and I was surrounded by patients … and now I was one of them too.  It was a humbling experience. Think of it.  All of a sudden, in less than 48 hours, you became a cancer patient.

MDA spoke to us, reviewed the charts, data, and most importantly, re-ran all the tests and confirmed that I had Acute Leukemia (AML).  A Bone Marrow test was requested to confirm which type in order to determine the treatment.  So the bone marrow biopsy was done and we were asked to return in the morning.

Spiritual side-note 4

Things are getting serious…pause for a minute…no panic.  Concern, yes.   Of course concern.   Panic?  No.  I have a very strong foundation.  This foundation will steer my course. and will be explained in detail, later on..

What’s next

I just finished 4 days of Chemo. I will be disconnected tonight at 1030PM.  I then have to go through a phase of 3 week remission.  Once done, I will get a bone marrow test to see where things stand.  That test will determine my next steps.  Accordingly, we are praying for God to provide fully negative bone marrow results.  However, whatever His Will, we know that everything will work out for the best.

Going forward I will try to provide a short daily update to keep you all posted.  Thank you for your faithful and loving prayers.

Requests

1. Continued fervent prayers for me to be able to eat, drink and exercise as much as possible; please also pray for my family.
2. Please no unannounced visits.
3. Please no phone calls.
4. Understanding  and patience with me, while I am trying to establish a “routine” in my protective, limited living environment.

 Questions to ask yourself

I’d like you to ask yourself a question:  “What would I do  if all of a sudden I was faced with a tragedy where everything around me fell apart?”

Consider more throught provoking questions:

Do you have a relationship Christ?  How well do you know the Lord?   How established is your daily quiet time?  Are you a Sunday Christian?  Think about it.

Saturday, July 30, 2011
Sami