So the days are beginning to start with anticipation . My blood tests are taken at 5 in the morning , and by 8:30, I usually hear the results. Today's were a tad disappointing. My nurse tells me that I need both red blood cells and platelets. So instead of the uptick I am looking for I need transfusions. And I need to take magnesium by IV, even though I take that 3 times a day orally. My IV tree needs branches! Between the antibiotics, anti-rejection, anti nausea, fluid and blood products it gets pretty full. So very thankful that the Hickman line has been allowed to stay. It has 3 ports that are often piggy backed , so running 4 lines. But yet it was a much better Sunday than last week's, when I fought the fever.
Barb and I did manage to listen to a service on CD. But that is so difficult in this small room with the nurse traffic. They have to monitor everything closely, so many interruptions. Today's cleaning lady felt the need to pray with us today. We had shared how the home front was almost ready for me to come home; cleaned by wonderful ladies from our church family. She thought I looked good enough to go. I look forward to that too, but remind myself that the Lord's mercies are new every morning, and to live day by day.
Barb took some pity on me today and brought the backgammon board, sure that I would be able to beat her at that. And I did a fine job of that twice. And then, we played Scrabble. Got beat again, but only by 1.
Enough said.
Psalm 55:22 ESV
Cast your burden on the LORD,
and he will sustain you;
he will never permit
the righteous to be moved.
Jeremiah 16:19a ESV
O LORD, my strength and my stronghold,
my refuge in the day of trouble,
8 comments:
May the Lord continue to bless you and keep you Richard, as well as Barb and all the rest of the family.
Thank you for fitting the time in your busy schedule for another update. We hope that things continue to remain relatively stable, and that soon you can write an exciting update about the progress of the stemcells!
Have a good night.
The vanB's
Thanks Richard, I appreciate the sharing, of you faith, that you and yours faithfully do each day ... I appreciate the example you set. As you talk about your iv tree needing branches ... I think tonight about God's tree ... God's vine ... and how he wants good branches ... branches that bear much fruit ... and how we are to encourage one another ... God loves you and has a plan ... a job for you to do ... a job for all who chose to follow him ... right now yours is tough ... but with God's help you are doing his work ... you are a witness to many ... at this point I spoke with my wife a couple of times and went downstairs ... and heard some words of a song ... God is mighty to save ... God can move the mountains ... my God is mighty to save ... author of salvation ... might to save. Almighty God can and does do miracles. He moves huge mountains and overwhelming problems for us Think back on your healthier days ... meditate ... on what God has done ... is doing ... on God's plan's ... our present state is nothing compared to our future glory ... God is the great healer ... who desires to give good gifts ... who never forsakes us ... God prunes his branches so they can produce more fruit... pruning is sometimes painful ... I don't think any of us like to be pruned ... we need to pray like God is the only one who can give us what we want and then step forward in faith ... believing ... following thru with actions ... again thanks for your witness of God's power in action ... living in faith. with prayer Ron and Laura G-B.
Good morning,
It's that time of day when you will be receiving your bloodwork results again. I just want to encourage you with Lam. 3:22-24....Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. "The LORD is my portion", says my soul., "Therefore I hope in Him!"
Praying with you for good results soon as the anticipation (tension) builds,but above all that you continue to know and trust Gods's loving care.
Bill and Kathy V
ps...I'm beginning to think that I might enjoy a game of Scrabble against you....I regularly get humbled by a friend of mine :)
Good morning!
Looking forward to hearing good news about the engraftment process soon! Praying that God will give you patience, peace, and trust in the coming days.
You should maybe give Facebook scrabble a try! Great for practicing, and a good way to learn some new "tricks" of the game.
Will and Christina Dokter.
Once again Richard Thank You for writing to us :-)
Reminding us of New Mercies every morning!
Reading your blog is happy, sad, informative and refreshing each and every day. Love Henry and Mona
Praying for you from Summer and Esther (2 of your son's pupils)
Richard and Barb,
For the past few weeks we have been opening our services with a song, Immovable Our Hope Remains.
Every time we sing this song, I am reminded of you Richard.
You, who has so evidently shown by the comments in this blog that your hope certainly remains in Christ our Savior.
You, who always finds means to praise Him.
You, who always has something to be thankful for. Thanks for sharing.
Verse 1
Immovable our hope remains
Though shifting sands before us lie
The One who washed away our stains
Shall bear us safely to the skies
The floods may rise the winds may beat
Torrential rains descend
Yet God His own will not forget
He'll love and keep us till the end
You'll love and keep us till the end
Verse 2
This is eternal life to know
The living God and Christ the Son
The Savior will not let us go
Until His saving work is done
Our debt was great as was our need
But now the price is paid
Who can behold Immanuel bleed
And doubt His willingness to save
We trust Your willingness to save
Verse 3
The Lord acquits who can condemn
Though Satan's accusations fly
His pow'r can never reach our names
To blot them from the Book of Life
The Son has surely made us free
His Word forever stands
And all our joy is knowing we
Are graven on His wounded hands
We're graven on Your wounded hands
Verse 4
Built into Christ secure we stand
For with His Spirit we've been sealed
By grace we'll see the promised land
Where every sorrow shall be healed
To God who gave His only Son
To Jesus Christ our Lord
To God the Spirit Three-in-One
Be songs of praise forevermore
We'll sing Your praise forevermore
Music by
Bob Kauflin and Brittany Kauflin
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