Tonight before writing this post, I was scanning through Facebook while sitting with Doug. There were several posts from our new friends that we met in Mexico who went through HSCT with us. Everyone is celebrating 3 months post transplant. This is a big milestone as by now the new stem cells have had the time to engraph, to develop in the new immune system. Every one's immune system is now stronger and those who went through treatment can now go out to eat and get out of the house a little more. Of course everyone is looking for signs that the progression of their MS has stopped and also hopeful for some signs of improvement.
MS is such an unpredictable disease that robs people of the lives they hoped for and is such a challenge to live with. I find my heart feeling so tender towards these wonderful new friends and their families. To have MS you have to be brave. You have to live with uncertainty. You have to be willing to find hope and joy even when your own body seems like it is working against you. And you have to renegotiate your relationships with your family and friends when your body leaves you with fatigued, pain, motor problems, bladder and bowl problems.
Today a friend from Nampa popped into my office. She is doing some consulting work for us. I learned that her husband has MS. She said what her husband is going through is nothing compared to what Doug is going through. He only has MS she said. I did not know we would be hoping and praying that Doug will return to being able to do the things he could do before going to the hospital. Our hope was that with HSCT it would stop the progression and hopefully improve his symptoms. But for now we don't know how Doug is responding to HSCT. We don't know if the progression has stopped. He has to recover from the Critical Care Neuropathy. It will be a while before we know if everything Doug has gone through was worth it.
But there is something I do know. It was worth it to meet our new friends in Mexico who have MS and their families. I feel grateful and proud to be friends with such strong people. People who found joy, love and friendship in the midst of adversity. People who were not willing just to sit back and let the disease progress. People who stepped out and decided to take action. I am grateful for the continued support and love of these new friends. And we are cheering for each of them. Praying that each of them have stopped the progression of this disease and will begin to heal.
I pray for healing for wholeness for all who suffer from MS and their families.
Most merciful God, be with all that suffer from MS and other diseases. Give them hope and courage in their challenges. When discouraged lift them up. Give them a vision of your healing power and let them not become discouraged. Be with their families as they love and care for their family member. Give them hope when fearful. Help them to be a support to their loved one and help them to care for themselves. Help us all to know the power of Christ and believe in God's healing power in our lives. In your name we ask it. Amen
All of these brave people lead with incredible courage to help all who may come after. It's like the first who tried discovery of the new world or discovering radium.... How blessed the world is for people who take hope and faith in the harshest of challenges...& Accept.what may save many Lives. Knowing they sign on for anything that may happen. Eileen & Doug and these rare people are ....God's prophets and the "moses" of this lifetime. Thank you from all of us inspired by your incredible crouage & strength of faith. Eileen, Such a lovely tribute from you to your cohorts in this special community of brave souls. Hugs & joy ! Sher
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