The past three days have been an in-between time when one’s body is trying to decide which way to go. While I have felt decent, I was not “up to snuff.” Since arrival, my blood sugar has wildly swung from 119 to 367. I have been getting insulin (never had it before) to keep the blood sugar inbounds. At home, without all the steroids and drugs, my blood sugar is normally between 120 and 130. The doctors say, with time, my blood sugar should return to normal rates and no more insulin.

In addition to this, my plasma rates fell very low and I needed plasma transfusions—two of them over two days. Plasma rates have improved but are still not in the acceptable range. While dealing with that, my temperature decided to spike. When it reached 100.8 (100.4 is the limit), automatic neutrophil protocols were put into place—to ward off infection. Soon, five nurses were in my room. Many antibiotics were hooked up to my port and blood samples from my arms became necessary—from both arms to have comparisons in the lab. They met their match with my veins. I’ve been on two surgical tables in pre-op where my surgery was delayed because no veins could be found—one after nine deep sticks. I must say, the nurses were wonderful! After 45 minutes, my left arm gave two vials. Unfortunately, my right arm refused to cooperate. After trying hard, the team said, “No more.” It seems there is an “if all else fails” protocol—they could access my port for the blood. However, that meant they needed to put in new “gismos” in which to stick the needles in order to minimize the possibility of a foreign culture being drawn into the blood sample. It takes a full five days to get the final lab report, but my doctors have informed me that any danger would soon reveal itself and, in my case, none has. My temperature has returned to near normal. It turns out I am the “turnip”, as in, “You can’t get blood out of a turnip.” I like turnips (raw, not cooked) so I guess that is a good thing. (Yes, there is an ultra sound machine designed to find veins, and it has been used previously on me here at Methodist; however, I am in quarantine now.)

Today is a “good news” day! My white blood cell count has gone up to .38 (from -.01), which means my transplanted cells have engrafted and are reproducing. After my white blood cell count reaches .50 and remains there for at least two days, my doctors tell me I can be released from the hospital! As a result, my doctor stated Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday become a possible release date for me, God willing. Kathy and I will then move to the Marriott—connected via sky bridge to the hospital—for one week to be close, just in case, and to keep us from having to make the long drive in and out of the Medical Center for the numerous clinic visits I must make the first week after release. (The Marriott has several suites with hospital clean protocols, and we have one of those reserved.) I will still be quarantined, but freer in new “digs.” I am very grateful, especially also for Kathy who has not only endured this journey, but contributed to my comfort and security in numerous ways.

We have entered the Season of Advent as we head toward the Christmastide. It occurred to me that Advent is the beginning of a new Christian Church Year, and my new beginning coincides harmoniously with a new church year. Our God is immutable, always the same, yesterday and into the future. I (We) have the promise of Jesus—“I am with you, even unto the end of the earth.” Therefore, I know Who holds my future ever so wondrously. I (We) can enter every new cycle of life with joy and hope. Advent points us to joy and hope in Jesus, long prophesied and then fulfilled in the Babe of Bethlehem. Join me in treasuring this truth!

In John chapter 10, Jesus tells us, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly…I am the Good Shepherd, the Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep…I know My own and My own know Me.”

Praise Report: The “turn”—Transplanted white blood cells are engrafted and reproducing.

Prayer Requests: That the transplant process continues unhindered by unforeseen circumstances.