Daily Challenges and Hope for the future

Sixty-five Days have lapsed since I received my transplant. I would love to say that, though my numbers are looking great and recovery is going well, it has not been a major challenge. I have absolutely no energy. Sometimes I am so weak I can barely walk. My legs are so swollen that I have to wear compression socks to fight the edema. Plus, I take water pills to try to bring down the swelling, but it is not coming off and causes a lot of pain. In addition, I take a plethora of pills. For example, in the morning alone, I take 27 pills, plus some in the afternoon and at least 15 at night. I have what is called Grapht vs Host Disease (GVHD), where my body is rejecting the transplant. This is fairly common, but mine is a pretty significant case, and I have to take massive steroids to control it. The steroids cause me to experience a major increase in appetite, water retention, and blood sugar issues. My blood sugar is out of control. We are trying to manage it with insulin, etc., but it just doesn't want to get under control. I have to meet with an endocrinologist next week to see what we can do. 

I don't sleep very much at all, which contributes to the fatigue and slows recovery, but we are going to add yet another medication to try to help with it. I have physical therapy that I have to do every day to try and get myself stronger, and I tell you what, it's not easy. I feel like I am just finishing a marathon each time I do the exercises. The pain in my legs can be unbearable sometimes, especially at night. I hope I don't sound like I am whining. I understand all this is just part of the process. My intent is just to share the details of what is happening and share the experience with everyone.   

The plan is 100 days of quarantine, and if all goes well, I should be fully grafted and there should be significant recovery. It will still take time to recover, but the 100-day mark is a major milestone. The fun part is that Halloween day is day 100, and we are going to have a party to celebrate the achievement. So it will be fun to combine it with Halloween. We are counting on my recovery being far enough along at that point because we have a new grandson on the way, and he should be born just before the 100 days are up, and we have a flight already booked to go see him right after the quarantine. We are very excited and hope that my recovery doesn't keep us from going to see him and our other grandson. And Sarah and Tyler, of course. 

Even though it is rough, we are excited about the prognosis that I could be cured of Leukemia if all goes well. We feel your prayers every day. The Lord continues to bless us, and we know that no matter what comes, if we are faithful, it will work out to be the Lord's will for us. 

Through all this, we contemplate, what is the Lord's will? Is it a cure or something else? Why can't it just be a cure? Why do bad things happen to good people? So many questions can arise in trying to understand how the Lord works. Here is a great short video from Elder David A. Bednar that can help understand how the Lord works. 

I am thankful to know that I can listen to the spirit, and it will help me through all of the challenges ahead.