Birthdays: A note from Jan About Yesterday's Stem Cell Transplant. Jud's Journal Entry Fourteen
Today Luke celebrates his 11th birthday. Yesterday was Jud’s “re-birth day,” according to Dr. Spitzer.
The stem cells arrived about 6:30 last evening, just after Heather caught a cab to Logan for her return flight to California. Some angels fly United.
Kristina, Kris Wood Reid (a Dr. in Uganda and Heather’s best friend) joined Jud and me to observe and encourage.
Tuesday night, Dr. Tak (Jud’s physician for two of his cancers) stopped by to see Jud. He didn’t need to. It was a want to. He came to encourage Jud and say, ”Tomorrow is the first day of the rest of your life.” Heard that before, read it on some cards or wall plaques. Different now.
Earlier in the day Heather called her family to tell them she’d let them know when the stem cells arrived so they’d know a specific time to pray. Luke said, “I don’t need an exact time. I pray all the time for Popo.” Many of you are doing the same. Thank you. Prayer everywhere. Not just for us. For Steve, Bruce, nurses in Texas, families suffering from ebola. The list goes on.
Chad talked to his Dad, reassuring him and reminding him of how far he’s come in this process. Family and friends gather by phone, text, email, CaringBridge—all weaving a covering of strength. Time to thank God for technology. Suzy reminded me of the firemen who hold the net while frightened and desperate folks jump for their lives. “We are part of your prayer net.” Thank you for holding steady while we leap.
Last night, it felt strange watching a stranger’s stem cells, a soft orange colored substance, drip into Jud. Jud seemed at peace. No reactions. All monitors looked good. He’d spiked a fever in the late afternoon. Not unusual to have a slight 99+ temperature, but this was 100.4. So they took blood samples and sent them off.
The process of transferring the stem cells into Jud’s body took about an hour. One small sack suspended from a pole, dispensing health and hope. Who gave this gift? Why?
Later, Kris, Kristina and I walked over to Scampo for dinner. A party. We toasted the donor. As Kris said,”To a match made in heaven.” We thanked God, OUT LOUD, for His goodness, His provision, His timing, His donor. We blessed the caregivers and the food.
Today, Jud began to feel the battle that comes with a transplant. Emotional and physical fatigue, pain in his gut. The battle is on. Some of this is good, but we don’t want an all out war with GVHD. Food doesn’t taste as good but he still makes himself eat. Discipline. He didn’t sleep well during the night. About 2:00 a.m. he sat up and said,”it’s a mechanical problem.” He got up and adjusted his bed which had been altered for a chest x-ray. Still a problem solver.
After I arrived this morning, he stretched out on the sofa and put his head on my lap and fell asleep. I tipped my head back and rested. Sweet. Reminded me of something my Mama said to me after my Daddy died, “Life’s short. Never miss a chance to sit close.” Still sitting.
16 Comments
Jan we are part of your prayer net also. Love you guys!
Praying without ceasing, dear friends . . . GOD IS ABLE TO DO ANYTHING . . . far more than we could ever imagine or guess or request in our "wildest dreams" . . . Loving you from a distance and appreciating your amazing updates. Our hearts are full and enriched and encouraged . . . indeed the net is getting bigger and stronger! Love you, dear ones.....D and M
Thank you for pulling back the veil with your precious thoughts and words so we too can follow with prayer,
praise and petitions.We lean on His everlasting Arms with you.
Thank you for the update, Jan. And happy new birthday to Jud. Holding up my part of the prayer net as well!
So far so good; may it continue.
"He restoreth my soul"
Dearest Jan, thank you for this beautiful update- all heartbreaking and true and wonderful and God-breathed. Such a battle. Happy re-birth day to Jud. Interesting to note he was born the first time, born again, and is now being re-birthed- modern medicine is amazing. Thank you both for allowing us to share this journey with you. And we thank God for CaringBridge, so that you do not need to make dozens of phone calls to keep your friends updated. Our prayers are with you. Our hearts are with you. You are surrounded by the saints with insistent and deafening prayers being lifted up. Thank you for the reminder to sit close. Our arms around you.
Holding up your arms as well as the net here in the South.
Today is Isabelle's 12th birthday. Just sang happy birthday to her. She was full of giggles and happiness and joy. She LOVES her birthdays. Such a blessing from God! You are a blessing from God too...and an amazing one, also an amazing letter writer/sharer. Thank you, Jan and Jud. Dropping prayers all the time into the net. With our love, Lillian and Bill
This made me cry. I was up in the night listening out for my littlest and praying for you- we love you both so much.
Prayers will continue. If God has provided everything you need so far, He surely will help you win the battle! Blessings, Alice
Holding our part of the net here in Burlington tonight. Feeling like a part of a big team cheering you on. With love. Mark and Priscilla
Holding on tight to the prayer net here too!!!!!!!! W&S
Love and prayers. Feel those everlasting arms. They will never fail.
You two are such a gift to us all. Who would think that one of the real blessings of all this would be your sharing this journey with us. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. I love the image of the "firemen's prayer net". The net is certainly getting bigger and stronger from all our many prayers which we keep winging your way and heavenward. Love and hugs
How I love reading these beautiful words. In the midst of all you are both enduring, you find the time to be encouraging to all of us: in the way you hold on to the Lord and to each other, the way you always include others who are suffering, the way you share the struggle. Thank you, dear ones. We will keep holding the net.
Wonder of wonders, Janny! Thank you! Rejoicing here while never letting up on prayer "net".
We know you two will be close whenever possible! Giving thanks over and over again!
G+G