Great visit today with the doctor. Numbers are great, and boring which we want. I have felt very well the last two days, almost normal (but not the endurance). The weather was so beautiful we walked 30 minutes to the hospital and back. It felt really good plus the architecture of the buildings is very interesting. You don’t always appreciate what you miss until it is gone. A hot shower, getting out of bed without having health issues, aches, pains, fevers- being able to walk outside and enjoy the weather. So many blessings to enjoy.
We had a chance to visit with George, a 69 y.o. patient who is 8 days post transplant, just to encourage him that it gets better each day. It is a long process, with lots of boredom and uncertainty. He is doing very well.
While recovering, Trish and I met a family whose mother had non treatable leukemia. Taking a lesson from the notes of encouragement we received,I jotted her a note from II Corinthians 4:8-9 “We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed and broken. God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going.”
We never met her and she passed away a week after my discharge. As we talked to the nurse today she commented how much the lady and her family appreciated the words of encouragement. Words of encouragement are powerful – share some with those you know with the promise of God. He gave us 66 books of promises in the Bible – what a gift!
On the journey,
Neal
We have met at your son’s church, Moran Park.
Your continuing testimony in the midst of trial is such a testimony and inspiration.
Thank you for sharing this difficult part of your life’s journey with Christ at the center!
Doug and Sue Schut Koning
Oh Neal, We’re so glad you’re feeling better each day!! What a blessing that you have been able to be outside to walk and enjoy the Spring air. Surely warm weather and sunshine are on the way. We continue to pray every day for both of you. God is so good. We marvel at His mercy and care.
Hi Neal & Trish,
It’s been a while since I’ve written & when reading your words I am amazed at the progress you two have made in both Neal’s health & Trish’s aclamating to new surroundings so quickly. But that’s a sign of a great Mom/wife. She can make good no matter where she ends up. Isn’t that the truth! Neal, we continue to be thankful for both you and the Lord. “You” continue to be gracious/thankful in your writings when it would be very easy to be grim. We thank the “Lord” for giving you this wonderful opportunity in Karl to grow new cells and kick back to where you started…..optimum health. You are a testimony to all of us who sulk now and then for minor occurrences. Thank you! Until now I wasn’t aware that you can have visitors. I will be in touch with Trish and arrange a time for Will & I to come by and visit you two. It will take no time to hop on the highway and head east a few minutes. In the meantime, keep doing everything you’ve been doing bc it’s working. We continue to enjoy your lovely daughter and look very forward to her becoming a Luther very soon. She is precious and Ty is a very lucky young man to have her in his life at this time. Thanks for sharing her with us.
Mar