June 13th Prayer Requests

It has been a quiet week since my last update, but that is a positive! After a few days of waiting for communication between my oncologist and my transplant doctor, I was able to begin a five day regimen of infusion chemo on Thursday. My platelets are not near the "required" number of 75, but apparently that was not a big enough reason to cancel this round of chemo altogether. After two days of infusions, I am very, very tired, but that seems to be the only side effect. I will have three more infusions next week.

I have realized it has been awhile since I've listed prayer requests, and I know many of you like to know specifics to pray for...

• Please pray this round of chemo does not cause further side effects. The previous rounds involved seven days of infused chemo and three weeks of chemo pills, begun and taken simultaneously. I am hopeful the current round, with its far less chemo, means I won't be down for the count as long and as drastically as Round 2! While I have made a lot of lists and arrangements ahead of being away from home for up to two months, there are still loose ends, packing, and mental preparation ahead which need a lot of my energy!

• Please pray that my brother and I remain (relatively) healthy and safe until the transplant process begins. Both of us will have appointments at Northwestern on June 30th, and then my hospital admittance is scheduled for July 7th. Ed will return to Chicago the following week to donate. An illness or injury could delay the carefully planned and coordinated transplant schedule!

Finally, I know many of you have signed up to received email alerts when I post an update. This did not work for the previous update, and I won't know until I publish this update if the system is working correctly. I apologize if you signed up and still do not receive an alert email! I will troubleshoot again, if needed!