Today's the Day...

Well, it all begins today. It's the day we have been anxiously waiting for, yet at the same time, excitedly longing for. It is the day that my Dad begins his bone marrow transplant, the next step towards long-term remission from Multiple Myeloma.

We will be getting to Duke at 8:00 am this morning for Dad's procedure that begins at 8:30. They will remove his port-a-cath and then install a Hickman cathetar. Following the procedure, they will administer his first day of high-dose chemotherapy. He will remain in the hospital overnight, and will hopefully be able to come home tomorrow afternoon. (To see the calendar of transplant-related events for the next few weeks, click here.)

However, since his immunity will be compromised beginning today, the kids are not able to come to the hospital with us (or see him in the next few weeks). We will be doing alot of talking on the phone and Skyping with Grandpa, but they wanted to send him a little message this morning:

Dad, we love you so much and are so proud of how well you've done so far! Praying for you today. May God grant you strength, peace, and perseverance!

"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."
(Phil 4:13)
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"Rejoice in the Lord always...Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God, and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard you heart and your minds in Christ Jesus."
(Phil 4:4, 6-7)
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"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trails of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
(James 1:2-4)