We're in This Together

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  Romans 12:12

On October 26, 2012, Larry and I had the privilege of attending a few of the sessions of the “Houston Stem Cell Summit ‘12” at The Houstonian.  It was fascinating and mind boggling to hear of the research, treatments, and results that are occurring with stem cells.  One of the highlights for me was the panel of patients, some of whom are medical doctors by profession, who have been the recipients of stem cell treatment.  Every person who spoke has had positive, dramatic, health changing results from their procedures.  It was like being given a front row seat and a glimpse into the future of medicine.

 

Another big blessing for me that day was the opportunity to meet several of the people I have communicated with by phone or e-mail during the past year about stem cell treatments.  You see, we’re in this together.  Some, like me, have had more than one series of stem cells, a few others received their first round of treatment, while others had their stem cells harvested, but have not had the stem cell infusions due to restrictions imposed recently by the FDA.  During and after the conference, Susan Berfield, from Bloomberg Businessweek, interviewed several stem cell recipients, doctors, and the founders of Celltex.  Her article was published this past week in the January 7 – January 13, 2013, issue.  This is the link to Ms. Berfield’s report.

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-01-03/stem-cell-showdown-celltex-vs-dot-the-fda

From the beginning, I have asked God to let this be a treatment that he uses to bring about healing and a better quality of life for me, but also for other people, too. At one of my last “regular” doctor’s appointment, the doctor kept saying, “You’re not normal.  You’re just not normal.”  (Larry agreed a little too heartily to his comment.)  When Larry asked him what he meant, he responded, “You are not supposed to get better with MS and she is.  She’s better and I had nothing to do with it.”  I know that stem cell treatments have made a positive difference on my health and quality of life.  In the near future, I want many others be able to say and experience that as well.

 

And once again, I’m grateful that God provides others to share life’s journey.  So I choose to continue to “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”  Romans 12:12

 

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.  Philippians2:3-4

 

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.  2 Corinthians 1:3-4