Drum Roll Plzzzz!

OK, so I had my appointment with my bone marrow doctor this week Wednesday as I mentioned in my previous blog where I asked for all your prayers. I want to thank every single person who prayed for me. God has answered our prayers and my transplant is a go!!! I know that it is because of God & your prayers that everything is now clear and there are no problems with the hospital or my insurance.

Upon arriving at the Dr.'s office I had to draw some blood before meeting with her (typical prior to the office visits). What was different this time was that the blood being drawn was an enormous amount. As you can see below, they drew 21 vials of blood. As soon as I saw all those vials my mind immediately starting turning, thinking the only reason she would have this amount of blood work drawn from me is if she was updating my tests for the transplant.

*In a prior visit My Dr. did tell me that until the insurance details were worked out many of the tests that I had done for the prior transplant date of December 10th would need to be done over when it gets closer to my new transplant date.

As quickly as those thoughts came into my head it left because I once again made the decision to leave everything at God's feet. I kept having to surrender things the whole morning because I wanted my heart & spirit to be in the right place.

After giving a boat-load of blood I checked in and waited for the Dr. in the examination room. As soon as she walked in she grabs something that I didn't recognize until later and tells me we are going to set a date. As soon as she spoke those words I realized that what she had grabbed was a calendar & without even realizing my actions, I jumped off the exam table & gave her a hug getting a bit emotional.


So, WOW, Yes this is really happening. God has granted me this rare & exciting opportunity. The Dr. broke down my schedule as follows: I will be admitted into the hospital in the week of the 18th (either the 21st or 22nd of April). Upon admission I will begin my radiation & chemotherapy for a period of 4days. The 5th day will be my day of rest from the radiation/chemotherapy.
On the 6th day more chemo./rad. followed by two days of rest and three final days of chemo. & radiation. Finally, after all of that, on May 4th the bone marrow/stem cells will be transplanted into me. In order to monitor me, I will remain in the hospital for an additional 4-6wks. After breaking down the schedule & halfway out the door Dr. Filicko turned back to give me a big hug--sharing in the joy & excitement of moving forward. I'm on a journey and will have to take a back seat to whatever may come my way (good/bad/indifferent, the lesson being learned is patience, humility, & surrender). I rejoice from hearing this news and would like to ask for your continued prayers since the more intensive part has yet to begin.