Well, Monday begins round 2 of my Lymphoma treatment. Trish and I have been discussing that God must need us at the U of Chicago hospital to share our lives and faith. Who will he put us in front of?
My biospy came back that with good but not the best results. The original tumor had shrunk from the size of an orange to the size of a small walnut. The problem is the cells remaining were resistant to the first type of chemotherapy. That means more aggressive therapy starting with chemotherapy for a couple rounds this month where I stay in isolated clean rooms to avoid bugs as my immune system will be waaaaay down. I can hang out in the room and even use exercise equipment, laptop, and all, but stay isloated except for Trish and the staff.
In January I will then have a bone marrow transplant. Why you ask? Because Non Hodgkin’s is a blood cancer that has some defective bone marrow B cells. The new bone marrow then creates white blood cells that kill the bad blood cells. At this appointment my immune system will be zero as the bad cells are destroyed and I get the good ones by an I.V. This requires a stay of 3-4 weeks.
Did you know half of bacteria in the body (700 types) live in the mouth. The doctors say if I had a desk job, work wouldn’t be a problem but since my immune system is low, I can’t be exposed to other’s mouth bacteria which happens as a dentist. That means I will be on vacation for several weeks until my immune system is back up to health. Fortunately I am blessed with a great group of people, including Dr. Ryan Thomas, for continuity of care for our patients.
We have been blessed by Trish being able to stay near the hospital with a resident physician who is a Christian Medical and Dental Association member – a fellow believer who has opened his apartment to Trish so she is only a 10 minute walk away. Thank you to so many of our friends who help keep things running including getting Collin where he belongs.
We appreciate your prayers and support. This is serious stuff but have confidence that God is in charge.
I had a chance to speak on our storm at Storyline church – www.Storylinechurch.com – on Nov. 21. You can listen online if you like. God has been faithful throughout our lives and know He always is even when we falter. It is a hard road with many lessons to learn and Him to be glorified. We all go through storms.
Blessings to all,
Neal
You continue to be in our prayers.
Deut. 31:8
“The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you’ he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Your fellow traveler.
Neal, you are in our prayers! Thinking about you and praying this will take care of everything! I appreciate reading your updates, it also lets us know how we can specifically pray for you! Love you!