The doctor came in excited today with a big smile and congratulated me on having grafted successfully! My white count is 1.8 but my neutrophil count is 1.58 which means I have crossed the line in the sand!! My mother's stem cells seem to be sympatico with my system and for her generosity I am eternally grateful.
I am still dealing with nausea and other pains but this is really great news. They are going to switch most of my meds from IV to PO (by mouth) so that I can take them home. Perhaps I can stop the antibiotics and neupogen which will make me feel better as well. I will probably be here another two days, maybe three for observation. And, as I said earlier, I'm not out of the woods for one hundred, maybe two hundred days so far as graft-versus-host disease goes and other complications. We're taking this one day at a time, but today is a good day!
Today, I offer up the second half of Psalm 118, for the Lord has chastened me, but has not given me over to death.
15 Shouts of joy and victory
resound in the tents of the righteous:
“The LORD’s right hand has done mighty things!
16 The LORD’s right hand is lifted high;
the LORD’s right hand has done mighty things!”
17 I will not die but live,
and will proclaim what the LORD has done.
18 The LORD has chastened me severely,
but he has not given me over to death.
19 Open for me the gates of the righteous;
I will enter and give thanks to the LORD.
20 This is the gate of the LORD
through which the righteous may enter.
21 I will give you thanks, for you answered me;
you have become my salvation.
22 The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
23 the LORD has done this,
and it is marvelous in our eyes.
24 The LORD has done it this very day;
let us rejoice today and be glad.
25 LORD, save us!
LORD, grant us success!
26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD.
From the house of the LORD we bless you.
27 The LORD is God,
and he has made his light shine on us.
With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession
up to the horns of the altar.
28 You are my God, and I will praise you;
you are my God, and I will exalt you.
29 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
(NIV 2011)
Also, I can finally play some Flyleaf songs that I have been saving for a happy occasion like this. Most people would think I would play a Dave Matthews or Incubus song today, but nope... maybe tomorrow!
Here is the video for "Fully Alive" which best encapsulates my feelings for today.
This is the video for "All Around Me" which is how I feel about my prayer life and gratitude to our Lord.
Okay, I want to invite everybody to celebrate with me when the opportunity arises. Here's an Incubus song to say, it's better with everybody around you being part of the celebration!
