July 1, 2004

Main Page • John's Journal (2000-2003) • CLL Information • Contact John • Seattle Cancer Care Alliance • MD Anderson

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thess 5:16-17

Tomorrow will be sixty days post transplant and I have much less going on at the clinic these days. As long as my recovery continues to go smoothly, I see my clinic team on Thursday mornings for a quick check and have a short blood test on Monday mornings. I am definitely enjoying my new schedule.

Michelle and the boys had a great time at Hoopfest this past weekend. My oldest son's team won the tournament and my younger two boys teams each placed second. Pretty exciting.

My good friend Dave who was came all the way from South Dakota to take care of me for a week had to head back this past Tuesday. On Monday we traveled to my house to see my family. Thanks again Dave for your friendship and for everything you did for me this past week.

Wednesday was my Day 56 Bone marrow draw. The procedure went very well. I will not have the results from the test until next Thursday's clinic visit. I don't like having to wait so long because I am anxious to know how all my numbers look. Waiting for test results is probably one of the most difficult parts of being a cancer patient. These are the times I just need to put my trust in the Lord and pray for patience and peace of mind. Please keep my upcoming test results in your prayers as well as my ability to be at peace while I wait.

Enjoyed a wonderful visit last night from my friends Jeff and Nancy Nelson. Thanks for coming up guys and for driving Michelle home.

My mom has returned from Arizona to help take care of me during the home stretch up here in Seattle. It is hard to believe I have been here since April 31st. However, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel as, barring any complications, I should be released to my local doctor's care the first week of August. I do have the added blessing of living close enough that I can visit home frequently, which will make this last month go much quicker.

I'll close today with a great quote I read recently. Perhaps you've heard it before:

"The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude...

I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our Attitudes."

Chuck Swindoll

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