The longed for Day 100 is almost here.  We have tickets back to Alaska on August 9th.  There have been lots of medical tests and classes in anticipation of returning home next week.  

The results of last week's bone marrow biopsy was excellent showing no Jak2 gene mutation and the scarring that was in Samuel's bones is continuing to be healed.  Our orange team of caregivers at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance is very pleased with how these first 100 days have gone.  We are transitioning from watching for any acute graft vs host disease which shows up in the first 100 days to being aware of any chronic GVHD that could show up in the first year.  Some meds and protocol is followed until 6 months post transplant and some for a year (and longer if there's GVHD.  The year mark is a big deal for transplant survivors so looking forward to celebrating on May 1st 2019 as well.).

While the terrible bone pain from the myelofibrosis is totally gone, Samuel is experiencing chemo neuropathy in both of his feet.  Samuel has dealt with foot pain particularly in his right foot which has had a couple surgeries, but this is in both feet.  Our hope is not in the doctors words which is that sometimes it goes away and sometimes it doesn't.  We so appreciate all the prayers on our behalf these past 4 months.  We're thankful for all that has taken place this summer and we look forward to more healing and trust we will gain strength as we continue to walk through this.

We find great encouragement from today's entry in "My Utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers.  Perhaps it will encourage you too so I'll post it here.

"The Teaching of Adversity
By Oswald Chambers
 
In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. —John 16:33
 
 The typical view of the Christian life is that it means being delivered from all adversity. But it actually means being delivered in adversity, which is something very different. “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling…” (Psalm 91:1,10)— the place where you are at one with God.

If you are a child of God, you will certainly encounter adversities, but Jesus says you should not be surprised when they come. “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” He is saying, “There is nothing for you to fear.” The same people who refused to talk about their adversities before they were saved often complain and worry after being born again because they have the wrong idea of what it means to live the life of a saint.

God does not give us overcoming life— He gives us life as we overcome. The strain of life is what builds our strength. If there is no strain, there will be no strength. Are you asking God to give you life, liberty, and joy? He cannot, unless you are willing to accept the strain. And once you face the strain, you will immediately get the strength. Overcome your own timidity and take the first step. Then God will give you nourishment— “To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life…” (Revelation 2:7). If you completely give of yourself physically, you become exhausted. But when you give of yourself spiritually, you get more strength. God never gives us strength for tomorrow, or for the next hour, but only for the strain of the moment. Our temptation is to face adversities from the standpoint of our own common sense. But a saint can “be of good cheer” even when seemingly defeated by adversities, because victory is absurdly impossible to everyone, except God."

If you are still reading...the pictures above are from a visit to the Japanese Gardens this past weekend.  (Thank you, Andrew Hibshman, for mentioning the gardens.  It was a beautiful place to visit.)