Today I spent three and a half hours hooked up to a machine that took the stem cells out of my blood. They needed to harvest 6.6 million stem cells to have enough for 3 transplants. Usually it takes two to three harvests. God showed off and we got the call tonight that said we got 15.8 million. That is almost 2 and a half times what we needed and we did it in one harvest. That is a miracle. Thanks so much for all the prayers. I am truly humbled.
It’s a miracle
Maybe I’m a wimp but…
Today at the University of Penn was a challenge. First I was to get blood work. At the Apheresis wing, I found out that I was to have a catheter in my neck. Now maybe that is nothing to you but I was terrified. Eleven viles of blood, a catheter in my neck, and an appointment with the doctor got me home in time to get my 3 shots from Dana. I hate needles. God is still on the throne. I am so blessed.
Harvesting starts 8:00am sharp at U of P. God is so good. Thanks for your prayers.
There she was…at the top of the steps.
The door opened and there she was at the top of the steps. You could see the anticipation on her face and a slight smile. Do doubt she was anticipating what she was about to do, torture her husband, one more time. Just kidding, Dana did a great job yesterday giving me the shots.
Today is a new experience. I arrived at the University of Penn and found my way to the Apheresis unit in the Ravdin building. Here I get blood work done. I’m not sure what this is but soon I will know. From there I have an appointment at the Radiology dept. to get a catheter of sorts put in my arm. Then I meet with the doctor and finally I get to go home to receive my 3 shots. God is still on the throne. Praise God.
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Get up!!!
The story of Jesus and the invalid at the pool of Bethesda has many lessons for us. (John 5:1-15) Instead of sympathizing with the man, Jesus tells him to get up. This man had 38 years of the same old thing. Nothing changed and that is the way that the devil likes it. The devil is the god of the status quo, but God is the God of big changes.
If Jesus didn’t accept the invalid’s excuses for his condition, what do you think He will think of our excuses when we don’t do what we should. Stop making excuses and live for God. Get up! Pick up your mat and walk. God is so good.
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They both stabbed me!!!
It is a conspiracy, mother and daughter, both with needles chasing me around the house. Have you ever heard of the movie, “Dumb and Dumber?” This has nothing to do with this. Actually, the movie, “Multiplicity” with Michael Keaton is more like it. The nurse trained Dana and now Dana trains my daughter Mandy. I had a clone giving me a shot. Actually they did pretty good and I didn’t cry long.
Now that I am an expert at receiving shots let me give a few pointers to the uninitiated.
Rule no. 1: Do not show the needle to the victim or patient.
Rule no. 2: Do not rare back with the needle prior to stabbing the patient.
Rule no. 3: Do not laugh before or anytime during the procedure.
Rule no. 4: Do not cry before or anytime during the procedure.
Rule no. 5: Do not say, “Yes” after stabbing the victim.
Rule no. 6: Do not use work gloves for the procedure.
Got to go. I’m sure I will come up with more rules.
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My wife stabbed me!!!
Married is tough enough but….give your wife a needle to use on you and….well years of anger come out. Just kidding. Today was my first day of stem cell mobilization and fortunately we had our friend, a real nurse, demonstrate to my wife how to stab me with a needle. The nurse stabbed me the first time and my wife stabbed me–harder— the second time. Actually, she did pretty good. Yea, tomorrow I get stabbed again twice. Small stuff.
It is amazing to me what these drugs can do. Smart people spend years coming up with ways to improve our lives and help us with difficult diseases. I am so thankful for these drugs. Ultimately, however, God is the one that determines how long each of us live. My life is in His hands. Praise God. Thanks you all for your prayers.
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Birth…Day
Thanks to all for thinking of me on my birthday. I am humbled that so many people wished me happy birthday. Birthdays are kind of interesting. Each of us celebrate on our birthdays the beginning of our existence. But God was thinking about us before the creation of the world. Wow. That’s a long time. He must have something big in mind.
Do you know what He has in mind for you? He wants to let you know. Thanks again.
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Here we go!!!
Here we go!!! Friday I get a shot of Neupogen to begin mobilizing the stem cells in my bone marrow. 4 days of that stuff and then Monday I get an double IV put in and begin Mozobil. That drug also helps with the stem cell harvesting.
Tuesday I begin stem cell harvesting for 4 days at least.
I don’t want to say what the advertised price is of these drugs. Let’s just say that I could buy a very, very, very nice car for the cost of the drugs that the insurance is paying for me in the next few days. I am truly humbled by the amount of money spent on my life. I don’t know what to say. I am overwhelmed that my life is worth that much.
I am truly blessed to have insurance. God is so good. Thanks for your prayers.
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Don’t hold stuff too tight
Sunday I preached on Philippians 4:10-19. You can listen to the whole sermon if you like at http://fgfnj.org/index.php/extensions/listen-to-sermons. I learned so much from the Apostle Paul. He learned the secret of being content. He didn’t need the latest iPhone, newest car, or best clothes. He knew what was important.
Be careful about becoming attached to your stuff. Believe me I understand. Stuff matters. We like it. It makes our lives easier and more desireable. But all I ask is that you do like Jesus said in Matt. 6:33, “Seek first the kingdom of God…” and all the stuff will be added unto you. Keep God first place in your life.
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Stem cell transplant
Hi folks,
I purposely have not blogged for a few weeks. I wanted to give everyone an update of what has happened to me medically. August 21st I met with the top expert at the University of Penn and he recommends that I proceed with the stem cell transplant. Actually, it is the additional chemo that I am going for to kill the remaining Multiple Myeloma. The side effect is that it destroys your bone marrow. That is why I will have to harvest my stem cells the end of Sept.
To make a long story short, once I go in the hospital for the transplant procedure, I will be in there for a minimum of 3 weeks and the recovery will take at least 3 months. I appreciate your prayers.
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Pastor Bob 