Tomorrow is Day Zero - the stem cell transplant day! So far, thank God David is still coping quite well with the chemotheraphy. He is thankful that he did not vomit nor feel very sick even though he did experience a little nausea, loss of appepitite and was quite drowsy, especially today.
The nurse told us that tomorrow he would be going for the Total Body Radiation at around 8:30 and the process would take about an hour. (Dr Hwang explained during the family conference that the purpose of the radiation is to further lower David's immunity to prevent rejection of the grafted stem cells.) The radiotherapy may cause David to be tired and the drugs for preventing side effects may make him drowsy. Please pray for the desired result to be achieved without other harmful effects. Pray also for good rest and protection from infections. Most importantly, pray against rejection and complications from Graft Versus Host Disease - a condition whereby donated stem cells attack the patients organs.
The stem cells infusion may start late morning or in the afternoon depending on the readiness of Angie's stem cells. Angie has started the stem cells collection 2 days ago. The first day was quite ok except for the bruise sustained during the insertion of the needle into her vein. Today, she felt much discomfort and the process was more painful. Please pray for Angie that the nurse who would be attending to her for the next 2 days be more skillful and that the Lord would shield her from all pain and discomfort. It is possible. In fact, the Lord did shield her from the pain associated with the daily injections she has to take to increase stem cells in her blood flow. She was given lots of panadols but she did not even take any because there wasn't any pain. Praise the Lord! Please pray and let us trust the Lord to continue to work miracles as we ask in faith.
Please also pray for lots of good quality stem cells to be collected so that Angie need not spend extended time on the machine. For last 2 days, the process took up to 6 hours a day (fm 9am to around 3pm) and all the while she could not move her hand. I am so grateful to Angie for the gift of life to David, and really wish and pray that she need not suffer much.
"For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
The Lord will give grace and glory;
No good thing will He withhold
From those who walk uprightly."
Psalm 84:11
God bless,
Whee Ling
