Saturday, June 7, 2008

This is Linda's description...she has a way with words

Dear, dear Family,

What a "roller coaster" ride we have been on this week, and we didn't even have to get in line to buy a ticket!!

As I sit down to write an up-date to all of you who have been so faithful to pray, I try to imagine just sitting and having a coffee and just looking in your sweet precious faces and sharing yet another day in the lives of the Perkins!!

The Harvesting of the bone marrow did take place on Tuesday and what a day for this precious man of mine. If I ever thought he was weak at enduring pain, I take it all back!! He was so strong and put up with heaps. The dear nursing staff only had to try 4 times to get 14 gauge needle in his left arm, right arm was easy, as it was just a regular size needle. The hard part was that for the next 5 hours he could not move, bend, squeeze, tighten that left arm at all. Except for the terrible pain he was in, I think he loved the side-effects--me feeding him. Such a baby, but a dear one!!

After a full day we headed home and knew tomorrow could be another repeat. We enjoyed some smiles, and laughs and prayed that eyes would stay focused on our Father, and not what could be.

Wednesday morning, we arrived nice early at Pathology, yet again another needle, and another 3 tubes of blood...off they went to be tested for bone marrow. Please, please...we needed 4 million, yep you read it right 4 million bone marrow cells. Which we were told is pretty impossible the first time and especially with the previous readings Pastor had had on the Monday. Well don't they know we serve a God that still moves "bone marrow"!! We waited again for the results, and honestly the atmosphere in the "Transplant Unit" could be felt, the anticipation from everyone was incredible. The phone rang, and everyone just turned to listen, watch expression, and try and pick up any indication!! Well as Karen, one of the nurses, hung up the phone all eyes were on her and as a smile broke across her face we knew there must be some good news. FOUR MILLION. 2 Honestly the whole unit clapped and cheered...except me I added a few waterworks...but remember that's my job. Then a quick call to Dr. D and he gave the all clear not to go through another day!! I cried even more and Pastor just said "thank you Father!"

We rejoice in answered prayer and fresh new grace for our lives daily. The next few days there will be trips to the hospital, ex-rays, test, a Hickman line put in-- but a few days of repreve...that we are indulging in. We know that there are some really hard days ahead, but we also know that God continues to cocoon us in His almighty, everlasting arms. Even the shadow of His wings is such a place of peace.

At the beginning we both said that "we wanted to live our lives as normal as we could for as long as could, and that's what we are doing today!! Cleaning house, doing laundry, making visits, and just doing life together!!

Please continue to pray, and know that every prayer that goes up on our behalf is totally treasured by the two of us!! We couldn't do this journey without YOU!!!! To say we love you seems so small, but oh we do!!

Love,

Linda