The Standoff, Part 2

The last time I wrote I was telling you of a standoff with an ugly spider that was sharing the shower with me.  I was not happy and I finally had enough and sprayed that spider with Lysol.  I fully expected to see the spider gone the next time I looked.  WRONG!!!

That night I remembered to look and to my dismay the spider was still there.  I told it that it was supposed to be gone and to get moving.  It didn't budge so I started looking for something to bring the spider down.  I was mumbling and griping about spiders but couldn't find the proper weapon.  I was looking for something that would kill but that would not make that spider fall.  I didn't want a spider landing on me, even a dead one.  My husband walked into the bedroom and heard my mumbling and ask what was up so I finally told him.

He calmly walked into the bathroom, got some toilet paper, reached up, grabbed and squashed that spider.  He threw it in the commode  and started to leave the room but I insisted that he flush that spider first.  He looked at me like I was nuts.  Well I might be, but I didn't want to take any chances.  What if that spider was just stunned and just waiting for revenge.  He flushed and the bathroom became spider free!!!

Why did I not ask for help?  I was determined that I could beat that spider and I was full of pride.  I thought I had it under control.  I even had someone offer to come and kill the spider and ask me why I didn't have Richard kill the spider.  I told her that Richard was to weak(hope he doesn't read this) and that I would kill the spider.

My spiritual life is like that sometimes.  I try to do things my own way then God steps in and shows me my pride.  He is my spider killer even when I let that pride get in the way.  He sent His Son for me and for you.  He pricks my heart when pride invades and paves the way to rid me of the pesky spiders that I let fill my heart.

Proverbs 11:2

New International Version (NIV)

 ² When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
   but with humility comes wisdom.

The Standoff

For those of you that have been reading my blog since I started, then you know that I HATE spiders.  I would walk an extra mile if I knew that would help me avoid a spider.  I have perfected a kung fu spider dance and it is complete with the yelling.  When my three oldest were all under 10 they had got so used to my mad method of killing spiders that when friends asked them why I was screaming they would calmly reply that I was just killing a spider. I hate spiders!!!

There has been something in the corner of the shower that has made taking a shower very difficult this week.  It is a nasty spider.  I am not sure how long that spider has been there but I made eye contact with it on Sunday.  I happened to see something out of the corner of my eye and looked up with both eyes and I saw the spider.  That is when the standoff commenced.  I didn't scream(a miracle) and I didn't run.  I just stood my ground and stared in the direction of where it's eye or eyes should be and told it this was my shower and to get out.  That didn't work.  That spider has been there every morning this week and I have had a standoff and a stare down every morning.  This morning I had enough and told the spider so.  The spider still didn't listen so I decided to take action.

I decided that I could not try to kill it while I was in the shower because it might fall on me and there is not enough room in the shower to do my kung fu spider dance.  I hurried through my shower and decided I would talk it down to where I could reach it and smash it.  The spider didn't listen it just kept staring at me so I gathered my courage and I sprayed that spider down with Lysol.  I didn't scream, I didn't do my kung fu moves.  I just calmly told that spider that it best be gone in the morning or else.

That spider has been an obstacle this week and I did not have very pleasant showers this week.  They have been hurried and distracted with an eye on that spider at all times.

My walk with Jesus is like that at times.  I have so many obstacles that I let get in the way.  I focus on the obstacles instead of Jesus.  I should not let fear keep me in a stand off.   I need to spray my can daily.  I need to be bold and courageous.  I have the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit and I should let it spew forth.

What do you have??

Ephesians 6:17

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

The Journey Continues: Another bug

I have got to quit posting about how well Richard is doing because when I do it seems that by that evening or the next day he is feeling lousy.  He has picked up another bug.  This bug is the one that Sarah and I had.  He said that it is different than the one he had earlier.  He had a pretty rough night with throwing up and diarrhea.  Sarah also seems to have had a relapse and was up in the night with problems.

I have made a trip to Wal-Mart and I am in the process of bleaching the house.  I had use the Lysol but now am adding bleach.  I have the sheets, blankets and spreads washing in bleach water now.  I have bleached out the bathrooms and mopped the floors.  Hopefully the germs are gone.

I am thinking that Richard needs to wear his mask but he is a stubborn man!!  I am praying that this is short lived and the bugs will stay away the rest of this year!!!

The Journey Continues: Cataract Surgery and CMV Counts

This update is full of good news!! Richard had his cataract surgery Thursday.  It was very quick and he did great.  The surgeon said everything looked good and he was pleased.  His counts were all good and the nurse from OU physicians called that afternoon to let us know that his CMV counts had came down to 100.  Last week they were at 700 and Richard was fighting a stomach bug.  So it is GREAT news that those counts came down and that they came down without starting back on the antibiotic that messes with his white counts.

Sarah did get the stomach bug and threw up on the bus traveling to a basketball game that night.  I got to the game, paid to get in and found her looking very sick in the stands.  I talked to the coach and took my daughter and headed home.  We made one throw up stop on the way home.  She missed the game and also missed the Red Carpet Honor band Friday and today.

I woke up the next morning with a bad headache and by eight o'clock knew that I also had the stomach bug.  It is brutal but at least it is only about a 24 hour bug.  I still have a slight headache today and my stomach and ribs are very sore.  Since I was in the midst of throwing up I was not able to take Richard to his follow up appointment and I do want to thank Richard Stephens for filling in again for me. Thank-you, Richard Stephens!!!

The Dr. said that the cataract surgery went very well and that Richard had minimal swelling and that his eye looked very good.  He will put three different drops a day in his eye until gone.  He is seeing better and ready to get his other eye done.

Pray that Richard will not get that stomach bug again, though it is great that his system was able to fight it off and he did not end up in the hospital.  Pray that his CMV cells will continue to come down to where they should be. Pray that his immune system will continue to work and that the cancer is gone.

Thanks again for all the prayers!!!

Psalm 47:6

New International Version (NIV)

⁶ Sing praises to God, sing praises;
   sing praises to our King, sing praises.

The Aftermath

Most times when you hear the word aftermath you think of a time after a disaster like a tornado, hurricane or flood.  You know that something of an epic proportion has happened.  Last week I was reflecting back on the last year and the aftermath of it.

I was lamenting to God all day about bone marrow transplants, hospital stays, co-pays, gas prices, and telling Him what I needed.  I was also expressing my thoughts about the aftermath of Christmas and the credit card bills, the low bank account and told Him what I needed.  I talked to him about mistakes like forgetting to minus out automatic drafts from the check book, too many bills and not enough money and again I told Him what I needed.  I also talked with Him about Richard's upcoming cataract surgery(today) and Sarah's dental problems and braces.  Then I told Him what I needed.  All day long I was raising my voice toward heaven and stating what I needed.

I was thinking that I had an epic year and I was only thinking of what I needed.  I also kept telling God everything I needed.  I was talking to Him so much I couldn't hear a thing.  I was only sending out requests.  I was not taking time to stop and listen.  Then somehow,  I head a voice within.

I heard a quiet, "I am all you need!"

I had forgot about the aftermath of the Cross.  In the aftermath of the cross my Jesus rose again and He is all that I need! What about you??

Normally I might end a post like this with a Bible verse but today I am ending with a song.

Annie S. Hawks realized the need for Christ in 1872 when she penned these words to I Need Thee Every Hour:

1. I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord;
   No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.
   • Refrain:
     I need Thee, oh, I need Thee;
     Every hour I need Thee;
     Oh, bless me now, my Savior,
     I come to Thee.
2. I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby;
   Temptations lose their pow’r when Thou art nigh.
3. I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain;
   Come quickly and abide, or life is vain.
4. I need Thee every hour; teach me Thy will;
   And Thy rich promises in me fulfill.
5. I need Thee every hour, most Holy One;
   Oh, make me Thine indeed, Thou blessed Son.

The Journey Continues: The difference a day makes

Yesterday I was writing about the good report that Richard got from his Dr. but yesterday turned into a nightmare for Richard.  He is feeling really bad.  He has either caught that stomach bug that has been going around the area or the problem he had, that started in September is coming back.  I am thinking he has caught that stomach bug and hopefully it will go away quick.  He is also suffering from sinus pressure, sneezing and coughing.

The nurse also called yesterday and said that his CMV counts were up to 700.  Those are those pesty little virus' that everybody has but someone with a compromised immune system they can go crazy fast and  the Dr.s watch them pretty close.  If they get up to 1000 they are going to put him back on another antibiotic.  This is the antibiotic that messes with his counts and keeps them low!  How weird and twisted that seems.  It would seem like somebody could come up with an antibiotic that would not mess with those counts, especially for those with a new immune system.

Of course, Richard has headed to work after having a very rough night.  He did say that he might come home on his lunch hour.  If this problem persist Richard or I will be talking with the bone marrow Dr.

Pray for this stubborn man that he will get over this fast!! :)

The Journey Continues: A good appointment!!

Richard's appointment started out with being hooked up to the IV to receive his IGG.  This is his fourth month in a row to do this and he may have to do it for several more months. It does help his immune system.  The good news is they already had the results from the blood work and got him hooked up fairly fast.  He took a nap most of the time.  We got to the appointment with the Dr. earlier than scheduled and thought we would be on the road back to Enid ahead of time.  Then we got the news that he had to be hooked up to the IV again because his potassium and magnesium levels were low.   He was not very happy at this point. LOL

The Dr. did give some good news though.  He is taking Richard off of the steroids and the next appointment is not until the first Wednesday in March.  The Dr. did say if Richard started having problems he would need to see him before then.  He will have to stay on the anti-rejection medicines until the Dr. is sure that the graft/vs/host is gone.

Richard will have cataract surgery next Thursday.   I am ready for this.  Hopefully, he will be able to see and be able to help with the driving but I am getting used to be the driver.  I might now want to give that up. :)
Thanks for all the prayers and keep them coming!