November 19, 2016: Happy Stem Birthday Doug

Today we woke up with great anticipation.  Doug was getting his own stem cells back today. The healing can now begin. We had all morning to  slowly wake-up, have breakfast, get some laundry done and then go to the clinic at 1l:30.

Everyone in our group was filled with anticipation.  Even though the patients had been through a horrendous few days, they were ready for one more procedure, filled with the hope of new life, and healing.

While we waited for the procedures to begin, we took the time to take pictures with our drivers, our supporters, that have helped us to navigate the health care clinic, getting us groceries and showing us Puebla.  They have really attended to our needs.

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We are so thankful for Dr. Priesca.  He placed the PICC lines, conducted the apheresis (the stem cell harvesting)  and giving the patients back their stem cells. He is very kind, warm and caring.  He is someone you want to know and he was most gracious to take the time to take a picture with us.

Then one by one, the patients were called into the room for the procedure that lasted about 30 minutes.  It was a ladies first day.  All the women were called back, then Daniel and finally Doug.  It was an emotional time for all of us.  We cheered each patient on as their name was called. And clapped and cheered as they returned. Finally, after much anticipaton it was Doug's turn.  I went back with him, and was with him as he got up on the table.  And then Dr. Priesca brought out Doug's stem cells, I asked him if we could bless his stem cells before they were returned to Doug.  He said yes.

Earlier today I wrote a blessing for the stems cells on my tablet.  I took out the tablet, laid my hands on the stem cells and prayed:

Almighty, Creator God,

We approach this moment with great expectation and hope for new life
We ask your blessing on these life giving stem cells,
We pray that as they enter your servant Doug,
that they will move through him, heal his body, his mind and his spirit.
With your onipotent power we ask you to re-create him, and make him whole,
so that he might serve you, love you and take his own healing to others.
May it be so, Amen

There has been so much leading up to this moment, that when the time came for me to speak, tears came to my eyes and my voice shook.  I looked at Do ug and we were both overwhlemed with emotion. We want this healing so much. Finishing our prayer, the doctor then asked me to leave as they took his bag of stems cells and attached the tubes to his PICC-line to allow all the cells to return, to their new home.

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Thirty minutes later, I turned to the sound of Doug coming down the hall in his chair.  His face was so full of emotion.  We both began to cry.  The rest of our group, let out a cheer and I turned to them and they all were filled with emotion and the tears came.  Kirsten said, just let the tears out, let it all out.  I am not sure I can let it all out, there are years of tears to cry, for all the sadness, losses, and difficulty of the past years.  But finally, finally there is something that could change it all.  Finally there is hope.

And then we all loaded into the van, to go back to the apartments.  The patients were going to take a rest while the carers went shoping for a meal to have with the birthday party for all of our MS Warriors.

Angel our driver agreed to make dinner, He prepared a delicious pasta dish, with cheese bread, pizza and ceasar salad.  Followed by a delicious birthday cake and more pictures. This will be a time we all remember.

Life  is funny, it can be something of a double edged sword.  It seems when you are in the middle of something wonderful and amazing, there can also be something very earthly and distracting g. That happened to us today.  We have been having problems with the toilet in the master bedroom all week.  They were suppose to replace it yesterday since they have not been able to fix it.  It was not done when we got home.  I called outpatient services and they promised me it would be done this morning.  And as we were leaving this morning the plumber was arriving. I felt hopeful.  Then when we arrived home it was not done.  They were just placing the toilet.  Then when we were getting ready to leave for another patients apartment for the party at 4:00, they were getting ready to seal the toilet.  We got home around 6:30 and there was no toilet and no plumber. Just as I was getting ready to call outpatient services, the plumber showed up with a new toilet.  The last one broke.  It is 8:30 and we may have a toilet soon.

Then on the way to the party, there was a big step, the security guard was going to help Doug get up the step with his chair.  He tipped the chair way back and the back broke. Now, when Doug leans back the chair collapses.  He can't use it.  Temporarily we have a chair to use from the outpatient companty.  Doug is pretty disappointed about his chair.  I will contact the company in the US on Monday.  As it turns out we are are now entering a time when Doug will not have a strong enough immune system to go out. He can't be around others and so we will be in our apartment for the next 7-10 days except for trips to the clinic. Perhaps that will give us the time to get his chair fixed.

But today is not about the trival things in life that can be fixed.  It is about new beginnings and new hope.  It is about a procedure that has the possibility of not only making people better, it is about saving lives.

And so we pray:

Holy One,
Thank you for this long awaited day.  Thank you for the hope of new life. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.  Thank you for the gift of friends and family that have held us in prayer and given us strength.  Thank you for the help from our family, friends, co-workers  and doctors in caring for us and our responsibilities at home.  Thank you.  Our hearts are full. Amen, Amen, Amen.