Wednesday

Thank you for your care and interest in taking time to keep up to date on the status of the challenging journey we continue to face each day. There hasn’t been much to report or change in status since our last update a week ago Monday, until yesterday.

Yesterday Bonnie had a follow up appointment with “our” oncologist. She is still in remission and her twice weekly blood labs indicate that the level of white blood cells is in the normal range, her platelet level is also normal and her hemoglobin remains slightly low, but acceptable and an answer to prayer.

The looming bone marrow transplant is still off into the future, as a donor has yet to surface. If you recall from our last update, there are six potential perfect matches, but the process is onerous and time consuming. We have yet to hear if any of the six have agreed to provide blood samples to be sent to Karmanos. Once received it is fourteen days until the match is verified, and assuming the match is confirmed and someone is willing, then there is another two weeks to process the insurance approval, followed by a physical of the donor.

As a result, our oncologist does not want Bonnie to go any longer without a round of consolidation chemotherapy to maintain her remission status. This means five days back at Sparrow Hospital as an in-patient for three rounds of a more concentrated chemo like she had the first two rounds. The doctor did say that he would review Bonnie’s file to determine if this particular chemo was the culprit that caused so many of the side effects she experienced. If so, he indicated that he would look for an alternative chemo that could provide the same results without the harsh side effects.

When will this occur? Unfortunately, it will occur sooner than we had expected. Bonnie will be admitted this coming Monday (August 17th) and if everything goes as planned, she will be discharged Friday afternoon (August 21st). Please pray:

1) That Bonnie will have an overwhelming peace as Monday draws near. She knows too much this time around and it is easy to succumb to fear and discouragement.

2) That the doctor will have wisdom and discernment in selecting the best type of chemo for this treatment.

3) That Bonnie will not have the same side effects she experienced last time and that her stay will be limited to the planned five days.

4) That we will glorify God with the proper attitude as this trial continues.

As far as my (Steve) status, my last (hopefully) round of chemo is scheduled for August 20th. I’m slowly coming out of the side effects from the last round two weeks ago. I continue to fight a remnant cough and wheezing from the upper respiratory issue that started four weeks ago. I’ve been able to work five to six hours each day which is a good distraction from some of the physical ailments. My hair has been falling out steadily. Tonight when I washed it, it all came out, so now I look like Mr. Clean. One of our wonderful children suggested that I get a Mr. Clean earring which was completely dismissed.

Once the chemo is complete, I have a follow up Pet Scan scheduled for September 1st which will reveal the effectiveness of the chemo on the lymphoma and whether or not additional treatment is required. I still have three weeks of radiation that will follow the chemo.

In spite of the many issues we face, God is faithful and provides us with everything we need. We are grateful and thankful for the peace, strength and endurance He continues to bless us with each day. In our weak moments, Psalm 94: 18-19 helps us put our sights back into the proper focus – not on ourselves but on a holy God who sustains us at all times and is the source of the joy that is waiting to fill our hearts and available to us at all times, regardless of life's trials:

“When I thought, “My foot slips,”
Your steadfast love, O LORD, held me up.
When the cares of my heart are many,
Your consolations cheer my soul.”

Thank you for your prayers.