Day 50 and things are looking up!!!

Not only is today Day 50 (1/2 way done!!!) but I just got back from the doctor and all my labs have gone up! It's the little things (like not having to sit in the clinic for 4 hours getting potassium) that can really make a difference up here. I'm sure that I didn't do anything to cause the change, but I'll continue to do whatever it is I did, praying every step of the way. Despite eating a lot of no-bake cookies (courtesy of Laura), I still haven't been able to regain much weight, but I'll worry about that next week. :) In the meantime, still working on keeping the positive outlook for the last half of my "vacation" in Omaha. I really believe that even when we can't feel it or even come close to carrying it out, God knows our good intentions and rewards us for those. Kind of like the verse where God tells us that even when we don't have the words, he hears our prayers. God is always ready to help, but we have to be willing to cooperate.
"but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." ~ Isaiah 40:31"

Friday - Day 46

Just wanted to send a short update and prayer request. It's been a good week - a few "downs" but mostly "ups". My energy continues to return and no signs of infection! Yesterday I went to the clinic and my lab values seem to be declining (both electrolytes and my blood counts), right now we're going to just adjust my diet, watch it through the weekend and see what things look like on Tuesday. I pray that yesterday's results were just a fluke. If anything, probably a side effect of the multitude of meds that they have me on, but if it continues would require IV infusions and ??? So, that is my prayer request, for lab values to return to normal. (Plus a safe weekend of travel for my parents who are going to KC for a few days, a friend has volunteered to spend the weekend with me - should be fun.)

a sad loss

It's day 44 and I am feeling pretty good, not gaining any weight back but can definitely feel my strength starting to return. My doctor's appt yesterday was uneventful as they still seemed very pleased with my progress. They've started decreasing the dose of 1 of my anti-rejection meds which I see as a good sign! The tastebuds are starting to return and my hands and feet hardly ever burn. They warned me that the skin would probably peel and they were right - almost all of my hands have peeled (not a big deal), but last night my feet started peeling and I've now lost all the very precious calluses that took years of basketball, ultimate frisbee and softball to develop. For the athletes out there, I'm sure you can understand my sadness at the loss. I guess if that is the worst part of my week, I'll survive :) God bless you all!
"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." ~ Psalm 139:14

40% there!!

Today is day 42, hard to believe that it's been 6 weeks since I received my transplant. Most of the days have blended together which is probably a blessing, I'm afraid that the next 8 weeks might not go as quickly now that I'm feeling better and wishing that I could go home. I pray that I'm able to just accept the situation, relax, and enjoy the fact that I don't have to "do" anything except regain my strength. (not an easy task for me as many of you know!) Not many opportunities in our adult lives to just sit back, reflect and deepen our relationship and faith in our Lord. I pray that I am smart enough and disciplined enough to do just that.
This weekend was good - each day continues to be better than the previous. We walked across the Missouri on Saturday (not as far as I had thought) and later that evening I was able to catch up with good friends from KC. Tomorrow it's back to the clinic for more labs and to get results from last week's - I picked up CMV (a virus) while in the hospital s they've been treating me and watching it closely. Hopefully numbers are going down so that I can get off the medicine!
"But it is good for me to draw near to God. I have made the sovereign Lord my refuge." ~Psalm 73:28

Day 39

Just a quick update to wish everyone a Happy Friday and a good weekend and let you know that things are going well today. Feet are virtually pain free and even when they do hurt it's tolerable. I went to the clinic today and they continued to be pleased with my labs and progress. Since they've obviously done this before, I'll take their word for it. It's a little warm and humid today so probably won't get a walk in but tomorrow it's supposed to cool down so I think we're going to take a field trip to some pedestrian bridge that crosses the Missouri. Wish me luck that I can make it over and back!

Day 37 - Rejoice?

Status quo around here - each day things tend to get a little better, a few backslides now and then but nothing I haven't been through before, and nothing I won't overcome again! I truly believe that God's grace has enabled me to accept this chapter of my life - I am far from understanding it but am ok with the fact that I don't know God's "big picture". I'm only looking at 1 piece of the puzzle (and probably the back of the piece) while God sees the finished product. Trying to figure out His plan and reasons would be a futile and frustrating exercise. But what I wonder is to what degree I've truly accepted God's plan. The bible talks about rejoicing in our adversity and I'm quite certain that I haven't been rejoicing over the past 6 months. I'm not fighting His will or bitter, but I think there's a big difference between accepting and being grateful. I'm not sure that I could ever honestly get to that point. Over the next 63 days I pray that I can look at where I've been and be able to say, "this is God's will, He is faithful and sovereign, and I am better for it;" to rejoice in knowing that God is active in my life - pruning me so that I can be a more productive part of His kingdom. Putting aside my desires for truly important desires that will count for eternity - all to His glory.
"Consider it pure joy my brothers whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." ~James 1:2-4

Day 34

Happy Sunday to everyone! It's a nice cool morning in Omaha. I took a walk with Mom and Dad this morning and wow, it's amazing how much stamina and muscle you lose after basically not doing anything for 3 weeks and not being able to walk for 2. Very sad! You always hear that if you're in shape once, it's easier to get there again so I'm planning on that! I think my feet are pretty much healed up and my hands are better except a few fingers on my right hand - praise God. Still waiting on the stomach and mouth. Without a doubt, these side effects and setbacks have been challenging, but I know that God will use all things for good and somehow this is going to be glorifying! I got a letter from my Compassion kid, Jhonny, and for a 13y/o in Bolivia I thought this was a very interesting comment. He said, "God is going to do something wonderful to heal you always...God is going to heal you, don't worry; He is slow but guaranteed." The "guaranteed" part is much easier to think about than the "slow," but I will be patient - all in His good and perfect time.
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9