October 2, 2017: Day 315

 Today is Doug's birthday.  Yesterday we had a few friends and family over who have been a constant support to us during the last year.  Having a birthday after all that Doug has endured over the  past year was very sweet.  We both feel very humbled by all the support we have been given by so many and grateful that Doug is doing as well as he is.  And we are hopeful that the disease has been stopped.  Thank God and everyone who ha  held us in prayer and have done so much for us.

And to top it all off, Doug had his second Retuxin (chemotherapy) infusion.  I had to pinch myself in the middle of the treatment.  We had no difficulties.  They scheduled his appointment after the last and his first, treatment.  We went in, he had labs done and all his lab numbers were great.  They started the infusion and provided him lunch while having the treatment.  I brought him home and he had no negative side effects.  Such a relief.  The insurance covered the treatment and we only had to pay the co-pay. Whew...  So grateful!

And lastly, with friends gathered, we blessed Trixie last night.  She was not able to go to church for her St. Francis Day blessing.  She would have been way to rambunctious in a church full of dogs, cats and ????  I decided with getting Doug to church, taking my foster grandsons and teaching Sunday School, that I probably had my hands full enough without bringing the Trix along, much to her dismay and a her having a full-on anxiety attack.  Our friend Sherry gave her a St. Francis medallion, Doug blessed her and we all laid hands on her.  She is loved, she is loved.  And hopefully just a little calmer after the ceremony!
And so we pray:

God of Renewal and Rebirth, we give thanks for the celebration of another year of Doug's life.  We give thanks for the opportunity to be made anew, with new stem cells, and a new immune sytem.  We pray now for a new life, free of MS.  We pray that in the days to come Doug will continue to experience new life in walking, talking and living.  And we give thanks dear Lord for all the people who have walked this path to new life with us.  We give thanks for all the light bearers that have surrounded and encouraged us. And we give thanks for our Trixie and for the blessing she has been to us these past few months and the new life that she has brought us after loosing Stryder.  And finally God, we give thanks for our dear little foster grandsons and the sweetness and joy that they add to our life.  Watch over them please and protect them from all harm.  In your name we ask it.  Amen