190 ! !

This morning I was gazing out the window and saw birds of prey soaring on the updrafts over Chicago.   God brought to mind Isaiah 40:29-31 as I had begun to become weary that I wouldn’t be going home today.  I hoped but didn’t think so.  The eternal optimist.

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

After learning I will stay a bit longer, my physician Dr. Kline who came by to check on my and my GVHD (Graft versus Host Disease) progress.  I am feeling quite well, good appetite and feel alert with the hope of going home today.  Sorry, not to be yet as too much diarrhea yet but they are working on that with meds.  Your continued prayers for healing are a blessing.

So here comes the renewal news. The wonderful news is that he felt the tumor, and it has shrunk even more.  My LDH – the tumor marker number goal is to get below 245.  Dr. Kline said it was 190!  And that is normal not just among tumor patients but among the general population!!! 
As I look at my GVHD bout, which is good in fighting lymphoma, I believe God’s hand in the situation where my numbers are today.  I also receive steroids for GVHD (no, I will not look like the Hulk) which attack the tumor also.

We all are weary at different times from the burdens of life but the great hope and promise is that God is faithful.  It is not if but when you will go through trials.  Who do you lean on, depend on?  Who do you cry out to? 

On the journey,
Neal

P.S.  Had a nice surprise visit from Dr. John Yoon today.  He is Christian physician on staff here whose family has been so supportive of us starting with our first visits here.  An encouragement for sure.

GVHD – the attack T cells I had transfused search the body for broken cells to destroy.  We all have them.  Sometimes the T cells identify my original healthy cells as foreign and attack them such as skin, gut, liver, kidneys.  The gut is most sensitive so they get inflamed and can’t absorb enough water – therefore diarrhea.  Meds are given to call them down and recover.  Paraphrased version.