July 19, 2917: Day 240

We are filled with relief and joy.  This afternoon Doug got a phone call from the hematologist's office, they are going to do the retuximab infusions.  I have been trying to arrange these infusions for months.  They were suppose to start in January.  Back in February, Dr. Ruiz, from Mexico told us to wait to have the infusions until Doug was completely well.  When he was medically doing better at St. Luke's they did not want to add anything until Doug was out of rehab.  When Doug got home in April, we made an appointment with his primary care doctor and she was supportive of the infusions and said she would help to get us an appointment with a hematologist.  We could not get an appointment until June.  And then at the appointment the hematologist said he would do the infusions if he could talk to Doug's neurologist or a neurologist about the effectiveness of the treatment.  And so I contacted his neurologist and asked our other HSCT friends if they would check with their neurologists.  I was concerned Doug's neurologist would not be supportive.  He told us last October he could not prescribe it because it was not approved in the US for this purpose with people with MS.

The stars aligned today.  Our neurologist must have decided to support the treatment.  Because Doug got a call from the hematologists office to ask him if he wanted the treatment and when he would like to start the infusions. We are so over joyed and relieved. Doug wants to start as soon as possible.

The relief comes from knowing that having the retuximab treatment increases the chances that Doug's MS will stay in remission.  And not having to return to Mexico for the treatment will save us close to $20,000.  It will also be so much easier on Doug if he does not have to travel so far.  Finally, we can begin the last part of this journey.

And so we pray:

God of Compassion and Faithfulness,  our hearts are filled with relief and joy to know that Doug can soon begin the retuximab treatments.  We are so grateful for all the people who have prayed for us and helped us.  We are thankful for the other HSCT patients who reached out to their doctors for Doug's sake. We are thankful for our doctors and their compassion.  Our hearts are filled with gratitude.  Thank you God for hearing our prayers and answering them.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  Amen