Cancun Post #4

Cancun Post #4

January 12, 2019

If a picture is worth a thousand words, I hope that these photos will somehow express my gratitude, amazement, hope, and joy in these days.

Galenia Hospital is where the stem cell procedures are administered.  The hospital and hotel where we are staying take up the entire block.  There are also big office buildings, a huge mall, and several other businesses in this area.

The Four Points by Sheraton and the Galenia Hospital adjoin each other.  The walkway between the two is open 24 hours a day.

One of the first things I did when we arrived was to see if the saying was still on the wall in the hospital from when we were here in 2015.  It is the only saying that is written in English.  I felt it was a sweet gift from God last time, so much so that I had Larry go back down the elevator when we were going back to our room to see if it was still written there or if was only there that morning!

 Nurse Magdalena taking vitals and inserting the IV for the stem cell infusions.

Dr. Ramirez spent about an hour with us while we were waiting for the stem cells to clear customs.  He told us some amazing  stories of results he has seen from the stem cell infusions.

The stem cells arrived!  They are in the white Styrofoam box.

 Verifying that these are my stem cells.

Dr. Camarillo and Nurse Magdalena preparing the stem cells for the Intravenous Infusion in my arm.  The cells from this type of administration travel throughout the body.

Dr. Salazar and Dr. Camarillo administering the Intranasal Infusion.  These cells pass through the brain barrier and will treat the brain and spine.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!  Amen.
Ephesians 3:20

Cancun Post #3

Cancun Post #3

January 11, 2019

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

The day I had prayed for and looked forward to finally arrived.  To say I was excited would definitely be an understatement.  From the beginning to the end, this has been an amazing day.  We have felt your prayers and have shared with my medical team that they are being prayed for as well.  They were appreciative.

Even though procedures didn’t go exactly as scheduled, God’s presence, blessings, and provision have been felt all day long.

My Bible reading this morning was the same scripture on Joseph that our grandkids studied in Sunday School this week.

The stem cell time was moved from 8:3o to 2:00 which was the same time our friend’s friend was scheduled to be there.  Larry was able to meet and pray with Megan and her mother before her infusion.  I met them afterwards.

Our stem cells were delayed several hours at the airport due to customs.  That gave us additional time to visit with doctors, nurses, and other stem cell recipients.

The nurse was able to insert the IV with only 2 sticks, for which I was most grateful.

The IV and intranasal infusions went very well.

Now we pray and wait for the infusions next week.

Will hopefully post pictures tomorrow.

Thank you again for your thoughts, prayers, and encouraging words.  They continue to be blessings to us.

P.S.  There was NO turbulence on our flight to Cancun!

Cancun Post #1

Cancun Post #1

01/09/2019

Larry and I fly to Cancun, Mexico Thursday, January 10, in order for me to have additional stem cell treatments.  Two procedures I have had in the past, but this will be the first time for the intranasal ones.  Since these cells pass through the brain barrier, they are proving beneficial for people with MS as well as other conditions.  This type of procedure was first administered 3 years ago.  I am so grateful that I have the opportunity to be a recipient.  The stem cell infusion process will begin at 8:30 am on January 11 and 16.

Prayer needs for these days.

* Safe travels and no turbulence

* Sweet reunions with doctors and personnel we met previously

* That the IVs will go in without too much difficulty

* Feel God’s peace, presence, and pleasure

* Time to relax and enjoy being together

* To have open ears, eyes, and hearts to what God is doing and look for ways to join Him in His work with people at the hospital, hotel, or wherever we are

* Renewed health

Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

Psalm 25:5

For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth.

Psalm 71:5

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:31

A New Year

“Our hope is not in the new year…

but in the One

who makes all things new.”

“If you’d like to have a New Year’s resolution,

resolve to be pleasing to the Lord.”

~ John MacArthur

Tomorrow is the first blank page

of a 365 page book. 

Write a good one.

~ Brad Paisley

A NEW YEAR IS NOT

A NEW BEGINNING.

LIFE ISN’T MADE

OF FINITE CHAPTERS.

-------------------------------------

WHAT JANUARY BRINGS

IS PERSPECTIVE,

WHICH IN TURN ALLOWS

US TO CELEBRATE

SUCCESSES, BUILD ON

HARD-LEARNED LESSONS,

OWN OUR SHAME AND

FAILURES AND ENTER MORE

FULLY INTO THE REDEMPTION

CHRIST OFFERS.

~ Michele Phoenix

“May I never forget on my

best day that I still

need God as desperately

as I did on my worst.”

Jeremy Binns

Always pray to have

eyes that see the best in people,

a heart that forgives the worst,

a mind that forgets the bad,

and a soul that never loses faith in God.

“The secret is Christ in

me, not me in a different

set of circumstances.”

~ Elisabeth Elliot

DON’T FORGET

THAT MAYBE

YOU ARE THE

LIGHTHOUSE IN

SOMEONE’S STORM

“Let Them See You”

Jason Weeks, Scotty Wilbanks

With every breath I breathe I sing a simple melody

But I pray they’ll hear more than a song in me

Let them see You in me let them hear You when I speak

Let them feel You when I sing

Let them see You, let them see You in me

As we begin a “New Year”, may our desire and prayer be that through our thoughts, words, actions, and reactions people will see Jesus in us.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9

Create in me a pure heart, O God,

     and renew a steadfast spirit with me.

Do not cast me from your presence

     or take your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation

     and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Psalm 51:10-12

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. He old has gone, the new is here!

2 Corinthians 5:17

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Matthew 6:33

Above all else, guard your heart,

     For everything you do flows from it.

Proverbs 4:23

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.

     And what does the LORD require of you?

To act justly and to love mercy

     and to walk humbly with your God.

Micah 6:8

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Romans 12:2