HERE WE GO AGAIN!

     We are back at Seidman Cancer Center for another round of chemo.  We feel like "old pro's" getting here at 8:00 a.m. Monday, getting checked in, getting the PICC line in place, getting unpacked, greeting some of the doctors and nurses like old friends! Marcie knows where to buy the best chocolate and how to navigate the long walk to the main cafeteria. :)
     The last 2 weeks have been relatively peaceful.  Don started to feel better the Tuesday after finishing the last round of chemo, just as we anticipated, and he was feeling pretty good this past weekend.  He worked the last 2 weeks of June and was blessed to be able to do that.
     Last Monday we met with our wonderful oncologist, Dr. C. and received a "mixed bag" of news.  The cancer numbers had gone down slightly - from a 1.9 to a 1.6 - so that is a good start and at least it is heading in the right direction.  However Dr. C. does not think we will be ready for the transplant in August.  She thinks we may have to do one to two more rounds of this 96-hour protocol of chemo in August and maybe even again in September.  That was a bit discouraging so we shed a few tears and then we talked it through and prayed it through.  Once again we gave our expectations about timing to the Lord.
     We want you to know how grateful we are to those who follow the blog.  It is VERY encouraging when you tell us that you read it and pray for the requests we post.  Please let us know how we can pray for you as well.

WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED ABOUT THE BODY OF CHRIST
       One of the most important lessons that we have learned through this trial over the last eight months (has it really been that long?) is how beautiful the Body of Christ really is.  All who are Christ-followers are part of this wonderful Body.  Everyone has a place in this Body.  In fact, because of your family background, your personality and all the things that make you YOU, there is an expression of Christ through you that has not been duplicated by any other human being. Furthermore, you bring a unique expression of Christ to the places that you go and the people you meet.
     If you have ever wondered if you are important to God, the answer is a resounding YES!  His word declares that you are LOVABLE, VALUABLE, FORGIVABLE, CHANGEABLE and NEVER ALONE.

PRAYER REQUESTS

• That this round of chemo would be be effective in putting the cancer in remission and we will see the cancer protein number of less than 1 sooner than the doctors believed possible!
• That Don will continue to bear the chemo with minimal side effects and that his immune system would recover quickly.
• That he would be protected from any infection.
• For Marcie as she travels back and forth to the hospital.

PRAISES

• For the Body of Christ who have so generously met all of our needs!
• That Don's immune system (the "good" counts) recovered so strongly after the last round of chemo.  
• We celebrated Don's 60th birthday on Father's Day, June 17th, and he received numerous birthday cards.  What a blessing! We thank God for every single day of life he gives us.  

Love,
Don and Marcie