Prayers Please for Friends with Multiple Myeloma in the UK

When EZ was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, we found ourselves reaching out to others battling this particular form of blood cancer. We were so naive, there was so much to learn, and it was helpful to connect with someone, mostly through blogs, who was going through treatment or a stem cell transplant. I posted about the importance of this "community" here, and one of the people I wrote about is Paula from the UK. Though we have never met face to face, we feel like she is a dear friend. She is young (diagnosed in 2009 at 39), and underwent an autologous (her own cells) stem cell transplant in May of 2010. Here is a picture of Paula and her contagious smile.

Recently her doctors discovered that she has relapsed, meaning the myeloma is back. She is now making decisions about having an allogeneic (donor cells) transplant which carries many more risks and complications, but may be her best option. She is currently in the Royal (hospital) fighting a fever and a cold (which she caught there!) Everyone knows the hospital is NOT where any myeloma patient with a compromised immune system wants to be. Paula is witty, crafty, energetic, talented, smart and YOUNG! Paula, aka Feresaknit, is a knitting machine and many, including my 5 grandchildren, have been blessed by her Myeloma Buddies.

She just posted on her blog, that she is feeling the best she has felt since last Tuesday, knitting and blogging once again, possibly going home tomorrow! PTL! Please join EZ and I in praying  for her body to fight the cold and remain fever free, and that she may be able to go home soon to regain strength for the next treatment, whatever that might be. Her husband is Bernard, lovingly referred to by her as "B", and her constant companion is her dog "Buddy" (who I know is missing his walks!) Pray for her heart and spirit to be encouraged as she battles on. Pray for her doctor's wisdom in treating her, that she might once again feel well and keep the myeloma at bay.

Also, another fellow blogger in the UK, Sean, is in the Royal Liverpool for an allogeneic transplant that will take place on Thursday. He, like Paula (who now know each other by the way!), had an autologous transplant (in August of 2010) and relapsed. Sean is a father, husband, photographer, writer and much more. His brother, Nigel, will be his donor. Once again, this is considered a high risk procedure, however Sean said that though he was apprehensive about the process, he now feels confident that things will be okay. Please pray that there are no complications for he or Nigel, and that all goes smoothly during his transplant Thursday. We would ask for minimal side effects in the days and weeks to follow, and that his body would accept his brother's cells no problem! Here is a picture of Sean and his wife Charito, so you can put a face with the name. He has a married daughter named Amy.

Though an ocean separates us, our God is the God of the whole universe, and we pray for His mighty hand of healing on these two friends in the UK. Prayer is powerful...

"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 your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:6-7

P.S. To Sean and Paula...if I have any information wrong, please feel free to correct me. I just wanted everyone to be praying for the two of you, and I know that God knows the details!