April 18th… Happy Birthday Noel

Written at Hope Lodge, Wednesday 17th April 2013. Transplant Day plus 31

Blessed be the LORD, The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise him. (Psalm 28:6-7)

We are praising the Lord! Noel feels well at the moment and has done for the last couple of weeks, although short periods of real fatigue each day are usual, and some now minor discomfort from mouth sores and digestive problems continue.

We thank the Lord so much for the strength and gift of perseverance that He gave Noel a few weeks ago during February and March as well as over this past 9 months. He has brought him through a period of feeling really down.

We have both been walking more for exercise and today here in the beautiful Boston sunshine enjoyed a 3+ mile walk in a local park where it was a joy to see so many signs of Spring. We are also using the stairs as much as we can and ‘did’ over 200 steps on then today. Our room at Hope Lodge has been on the 4th floor (3rd floor in UK terms).there is of course an elevator but we choose not to use it.

At the Dana Farber, Noel had a good appointment with Dr Soiffer today, April 17th. He made one minor adjustment, in Noel’s favour, of one of the immunosuppressive drugs he is on. Eventually the aim is for Noel to be off these and his many other drugs altogether.

Overall, Dr Soiffer was pleased with Noel’s blood work:
Red cells 3.30 — 3 weeks ago 3.13 — Normal 4.2-5.6
White cells 4.3 — 3 weeks ago 4.9 — Within normal range
Platelets 100 — 3 weeks ago 76 — Normal 155-410

Noel’s next appointment is in 3 weeks, on May 8th. There was some initial discussion about moving to monthly visits, perhaps starting in June. We are hopeful that Dr S might give Noel permission to start living in a less isolated way after the next visit. This will feel like a huge step forward.

Family life has again been busy on both sides of the Atlantic. Our grandchildren all enjoyed the Easter Holidays/Spring Break with their parents taking time off work to do fun family activities with them….just sad both families could not have shared time together but maybe one day that might be possible.

We give praise to God for continuing healing and wonderful prayer and other support from so many family and friends around the world. Please continue to pray for us and our family. Your prayers are such an encouragement to us.

This week, here in Boston, has seen yet another act of utter evil and terror manifest itself. It is hard to understand or even know how to react or find words to describe the events but I found hope for us all in the words of this prayer. I discovered it yesterday in a book, left by another visitor, in the room we have here at the Hope Lodge…the prayer was written by a prisoner at the Ravensbuuck concentration camp during WW2.

‘O Lord, remember not only the men and women of good will, but also those of ill will. But do not remember all the suffering they have inflicted on us; remember the fruits we have brought, thanks to this suffering, our comradeship, our loyalty, our humanity, our courage, our generosity,the greatness of heart which has grown out of all this, and when they come to judgement let all the fruits which we have borne be their forgiveness.’

Noel has been talking to a few people saying that there are two ways each of us can help, however powerless or inadequate we feel. First and most importantly, we can pray. And pray, and pray and pray. Scripture he tells them, talks about the need to pray continually (1Thessalonians 5:17). Next one ought to do whatever good is possible. Good overcomes evil and we believe every act of goodness, kindness, encouragement etc, has this effect on evil, even if imperceivable at this moment of time. For example, we both talked to a young man who took his dog to Boston Common for a while yesterday. The dog attracted attention and conversation, which led to him and others being encouraged, even though none of those there had been directly affected by the bombs. Scripture says that we are to overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21). And let’s pray the authorities do their work well and can bring the perpetrators of this evil to justice (Isaiah 30:18).

Thank you to those of you who have already responded to my April 1st update and supported our Relay for Life fund raising efforts… Trying to ‘pay it forward’ for the amazing help the American Cancer Society has given us through our stays here at the Hope Lodge….

…. So please visit our Relay Team ‘Hearts of Hope’ pages: Noel’s page or Meryl’s page. We appreciate you partnering with us in this. God Bless you!

April 1st… not a joke!

April 1st… and this was no Joke!! 2 years ago on April 1st during the Friday afternoon aqua fit class at the YMCA that Noel and I were doing. Noel was taken ill… the EMT guy who came with the Ambulance told me Noel’s condition was potentially fatal from sudden death!! And in the ER at the Hospital the Dr. said the same thing to me… thankfully they stabilized him and then during his stay in Cardiac ICU they could not find a heart problem. He was however, diagnosed with a rare form of bone marrow cancer… the diagnosis was again described as almost certainly fatal within a very few years… the only hope of long term survival would be a Bone Marrow / Stem Cell transplant… itself not with out risks… it is now 2 years later and 9 months post transplant and things are looking so much brighter for the future and for this we thank God and many, many who have prayed and supported us.

One of the blessings we have received during the past 2 years is many nights ‘free’ accommodation in Boston at the American Cancer Society’s facility called Hope Lodge, saving us thousands of dollars in hotel bills, this facility is only made possible by donations… please help us ‘pay it forward’ so others can have this same blessing when they have to be far from home for medical appointments. Please support Noel in this year’s Relay for Life… and the American Cancer Society who through other Hope Lodges in many major cities like Boston provide this ‘free’ accommodation… if you feel able to do so please make a donation using either of the links below… We are both taking part in the Relay, as is Charlotte, the 3 of us will walk the Survivors lap together. Thank you and God Bless you!

Noel’s Relay page: http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?fr_id=49271&pg=personal&px=31513675

Meryl’s Relay page: http://main.acsevents.org/goto/MerylDawes

Transplant Day plus 291

Hope Lodge in Boston, MA.

‘When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheers my soul.’ Psalm 94:19.

‘Give thanks to The Lord for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever.’
Psalm 107:1.

Today Noel had his usual 3 week appointment at Dana Farber… yesterday’s drive to Boston was a sunny Spring like day, which was encouraging. Has winter really left and Spring arrived even though there was lots of snow last week – much like many other places in the USA and Europe.

So far this year, we have routinely been seeing Amy but today we were pleased to see Dr. Soiffer for the first time since Christmas. Dr. S reviewed Noel’s blood work and was at a loss to know why his results 3 weeks ago had showed such a leap but today are back in line with 6 weeks ago… He is not concerned about this but thinks everything is going along fine. Even though today’s numbers on paper seem lower, they are actually consistent over all with a gradual slight rise in the levels. He sees this as good, continual, progress.

This weeks blood test:
White blood cells 4.9 with in the normal range — 6 weeks ago 3.8
Red blood cells 3.13 — normal 4.2-5.6 — 6 weeks ago 2.98
Platelets 76 — normal 155-410 — 6 weeks ago 74

As Noel is still taking drugs to suppress his immune system Dr. S said the restrictions on his life style are still in place, so no change yet in where he can go, what he can do and what he can eat.

With the good progress and it now being 9 months since his transplant, today Noel began to receive vaccinations just as a newborn infant would. As all his own immunity was wiped out by the aggressive chemotherapy before the transplant. Today he had the Polio Vaccine, DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Whooping Cough), Hib, Haemophilus Influenzae type B and Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine. He will get more doses at set intervals as well as the boosters shots that children are normally given.

Noel’s next appointment is in 3 weeks on April 17th, again with Dr. Soiffer.

Since his leg injury healed Noel has started walking again for exercise, however he is still fighting bouts of fatigue and digestion problems. But he generally feels good and continues to have a positive attitude. We are both encouraged and not discouraged. And each time we stay at Hope Lodge, as well as in other places, the Lord seems to provide opportunities for us to share naturally with others what we do, and how the faith we profess enables us to live fully and positively. We are usually able to pray for others, formally or informally, as we share.

Family on both sides of the Atlantic are doing well… and looking forward to all having family time over the Spring break / Easter Holidays. Hopefully in both countries the weather will be fine so family days out and about can be enjoyed. Toby, JoAnn, Charlotte and Lucy will have lunch with us on Easter Day. Meanwhile, in England, Charles, Sarah, Evelyn and William will have lunch with Sarah’s parents.

Please praise and pray with us… for again being blessed with being able to stay here at the Hope Lodge. We are grateful for Noel’s progress, our family and friends and God’s amazing gift to each one of us at Easter…

Please continue to pray for Noel’s complete healing, for the GVHD to stay controlled and for more energy. And for the Lord’s continuing provision for all our needs.

We ask the Lord’s blessing on you and all your families this Easter time.

Thank you again for your support in many different ways. We are blessed by you, including the many encouraging responses on our web pages, for the donations that were given in March which helps so much with the medical bills and travel costs; but above all, for your prayers, concern and love.

Transplant Day plus 251

… ‘they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary and they shall walk and not faint’. Isaiah 40:31.

After our last joint update when news was not greatly encouraging… I am pleased to report today that things are much better and the news is encouraging once again. Praise The Lord!

After a very difficult couple of weeks Noel is feeling so much better. Increasing his steroid dose certainly has subdued the very nasty and painful mouth sores which were preventing him eating. He is now back to enjoying real food rather than ‘Ensure’ through a straw!

We were in Boston yesterday for his appointments at the Dana-Farber… We knew the GVHD was under control, and that it had taken four days for the increased steroid dose to clear up the mouth sores, but we did not know what his blood work would be doing… After a bad cold, the leg injury (both now very much better), all we felt we could hope for was that his blood work was no worse than 3 weeks ago… PTL what a joy to see they were the best they had been since the transplant… still need to be better but this is such an encouraging sign that progress is going quickly forward.

This weeks blood test results:
White blood cells 7.3 – Last time 3.8 – (a huge leap into the normal range of 3.8-9.2)
Red blood cells 2.98 – Last time 2.92 – Normal 4.2-5.6
Platelets 120 – Last time 74 – (a good more towards the normal range of 155-410)

So this seems like a real move of progress in Noel’s lengthy convalescent stage of his recovery… Amy says she will keep the steroids at this level for the next 3 weeks… and then she my consider lowering them again. It is really a matter of trial and error when it comes to the rate the drugs can be reduced. There is no way to predict. There is no set down plan that works for every one… It is a delicate balance for each individual… the aim is to eventually get the patient off ALL drugs and blood counts back to normal, but some go faster and some slower… There are no fixed rules.

Noel is still fighting a lot of fatigue but that seems to be ‘normal’… if no fun! He feels energetic then hits a brick wall… but thankfully does bounce back fairly quickly.

We are so grateful for Noel’s good overall progress. Yesterday we heard the very sad news of another transplant patient who had been doing well but succumbed to an infection, developed pneumonia and died at about the Day +150 point.

Family news is all good… Every one busy with school and work and looking forward to Spring… We are enjoying our couple of days each week with Lucy and then Charlotte after school… at this stage children seem to change weekly… We so hope that later this year we will have the chance to see our other grandchildren, Eve and Will, who are also growing very fast. Many of you, with family far away, know this feeling so well too. We miss everyone so much.

We returned home last evening. Normally we stay in Boston till Thursday and then drive home refreshed after a nights sleep. But yesterday we were concerned that the weathermen were predicting another wild winter storm and we wanted to be home before it hit the north east… And thankfully we were. Seems winter is still hanging around with just two weeks to go till the first day of Spring!

Thank you for all your past prayers please keep praying…

  • For Noel’s energy levels.
  • For continued positive increases in his blood production.
  • For the GVHD to be kept in check and for it to not flare up again.
  • For The Lord to continue to provide for all the medical expenses.
  • For our family on both sides of the Atlantic.

Noel has asked me to include the following ministry praise and prayer request, he although not back in ‘full time ministry’ never has his heart or mind far from his ministry…

  • For several recent ministry opportunities for Noel. He has been able to pray for, talk to, encourage and generally minister to several US and international Chaplains, active duty and retired Veterans and others.

    (Note: In addition to folk being worn out and pressurized with ‘compassion fatigue’, PTSD and other forms of combat trauma including TBI, a growing aspect of ministry seems to be focused on what the military is calling ‘moral injury’. So far, in everything Noel has studied and ministered into regarding this, he has yet to hear of any connection between moral injury and ‘spiritual injury’ (as Noel calls it). It seems the prevailing view is that one’s moral value system and damage to it has absolutely no spiritual value aspect or connection at all. Noel’s experience, especially through the Welcome Home Initiative (WHI), would suggest differently.)

Thank you for walking with us, we were encouraged this past couple of weeks by your messages, calls and cards…I am still not good at keeping up with personal replies but please know you are all special to us.

God Bless you.

Encouraging News out of Boston – Transplant Day plus 249

Ash Wednesday, February 13th 2013 — Hope Lodge, Boston.

Rejoice in The Lord always. Again I will say rejoice! Philippians 4:4

How quickly the 3 weeks since last we were in Boston have passed. Where does the time go to?

We have been busy trying to walk more for exercise and have been able to see more of Charlotte and Lucy and get back into daytime care for them. Noel has been more active making ministry calls and doing our taxes. The predicted super snow storm passed us by with just about 8 inches of snow – so nothing unusual, unlike here in Boston, where they had 25 inches and still, today, have mountains everywhere. But Spring seems to be on the way and we are having some lovely sunny days, today being one of them as was yesterday for our drive here which was a blessing after the snow.

Today, at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we had some great encouraging news from Noel’s blood tests… his white blood cells are now within the normal range!!! PTL.

White cells today: 3.8 – Three weeks ago 3.4 – Normal 3.8-9.2. 🙂
Red cells today: 2.92 – Three weeks ago 2.66 – Normal 4.2-5.6
Platelets today: 74 – Three weeks ago 56 – Normal 155-410

So this is an improvement as they have been in the 50’s for so long.

Noel still has some problems with the mouth sores from the GVHD and has been feeling quite fatigued at times during the past 3 weeks. We asked about this today and Amy said it was typical to feel very tired on the lower dose of steroids he has been on. She lowered it again today and said she would expect him to feel very tired as the body tried to adjust to doing with out so much of the drug. She also said his digestive upsets are from one of the medications he takes… At least we know it is not anything serious. But over all she is really pleased with his progress….she said his bigger problem today is his leg! He hurt his right leg just above the ankle about 10 days ago while walking and climbing steps at the Civic Center where we go to walk. It has got no better and is quite painful to walk on. Amy sent him for an X-ray and said she would call us when it has been read by a Doctor. We got a copy of the X-ray on a CD to give to Noel’s Primary Care Doctor, whom he has an appointment with on Friday back in Glens Falls. Noel is trying to rest it but nothing seems to help…. So we wait to know if he damaged it and what the treatment might be…

We discussed again with Amy about the possibility of Noel being able to travel and attend meetings towards the end of March…. It seems much more likely that he will be back to ‘normal’ by the end of May so till then he just has to be patient ….it is only 3 months away and considering how far he has come it will soon be here. Before the transplant we were told the recovery time would be in the region of 12 months so this is no surprise to us…and is within what is normal.

One blessing at the hospital today was providentially running in to one of the Hospital Chaplains who was blessing people and signing them with the sign of the cross using ashes…. A sign to mark the beginning of Lent. She signed both of us.

If you are wondering about the meaning of Ash Wednesday and the Distribution of Ashes in the Christian Church here is what I think is a good article written by a Protestant.
http://blog.beliefnet.com/markdroberts/pages/series/ash-wednesday-practice-and-meaning.html

News of our family is good. Both Charles and Toby stay extremely busy in their jobs… Charles, who travels internationally almost every week, was in Mexico last week. And Toby has recently moved to a new position within the company he works for. Both Sarah and JoAnn are busy juggling home and work lives. And all 4 grandchildren are thriving. This month, both Eve and Charlotte have been ‘Student of the Week’ at their schools. Eve also had her 5th Birthday this month. Will is 3 later in February. Charlotte lost her first baby tooth this week, and Lucy and Will increase their language skills daily. Busy days.

Please give great praise to the Lord for the miracle of healing through the Stem Cell Transplant process. The cancer that was in Noel’s bone marrow has gone. we both give praise daily for great medical care and for his donor. Please continue to pray for patience as he fully recovers and eventually comes off many of the drugs he takes. There will be much rejoicing when he can return to a (new) normal life again and all this is just a memory, even though there will be lots of check ups into the future.

Our prayer requests are always the same:

  • For family and friends who have been so wonderful in walking the walk with us.
  • For travel safety.
  • And sufficient finances to cover the continuing costly medical bills and associated expenses (for example two drugs Noel takes cost over $1,000 each month, even with health insurance).
  • Praising the Lord for answering your prayers for us in the past and providing for us.

I am still not up to date with personal replies to messages.. Please forgive me if you feel neglected you are all thought about and one day I will get around to answering all my mail.

Next appointment at the DFCI is March 6th , in 3 weeks time…..

God bless you and all those you love!

Transplant Day plus 227

Hampton Inn, Boston

‘Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon His name, make known His deeds among the people.’ 1 Chronicles 16:8

This week we have much to give the Lord thanks for. Here are some of the reasons why.

We left Glens Falls yesterday in bright sunshine but freezing temperatures fully expecting to see snow as we drove east. But thankfully the day stayed clear and dry as today has been, along with the coldest below freezing temperatures for 2 years… we hope tomorrow’s drive home will also be dry and clear.

We are thankful again to be able to stay here at the Hampton Inn in Boston as there was no room at the Hope Lodge… thankfully getting a hospital discount on the normal room rate.

We were thankful today that Noel’s blood work was stable, much the same as last week and although we patiently wait to see higher numbers we are happy – as is Dr. Soiffer – that for now the results stay stable. This being so, and as Noel has not needed any transfusions for the last couple of months, we give thanks that today Noel’s Hickman line was removed… this only involved a little discomfort and the wound should heal quickly. After over 7 months of daily flushing the lines to prevent clotting and covering the site with ‘press and seal’ before Noel showered, I am happy for both of us to no longer be doing this ‘caregiver’ task.

This weeks blood results were almost exactly the same as two weeks ago.

Red Blood cells, 2.66 — Two weeks ago, 2.68 — Normal, 4.2-5.6
White Blood cells, 3.4 — Two weeks ago, 3.4 — Normal, 3.8-9.2
Platelets, 56 — Two weeks ago, 58 — Normal, 155-410

We are thankful Noel’s liver and kidney levels were also much the same. The toxicity levels seem to be affected by the anti-rejection drugs he takes and so should eventually return to normal.

We are thankful that Dr. Soiffer seeing the GVHD is still slowly improving, again lowered the steroid dose… Noel has put on some weight because of the steroids and also has a ’round face look’ typical of those on steroids and we are thankful this should eventually go away after he comes off them.

We are thankful that, although Noel’s progress is still slow, Dr. Soiffer confirmed what Amy said 2 weeks ago. Appointments can now be spaced 3 weeks apart so the next one is planned for Wednesday, February 13th. (Five years to the day when Charlotte has her port inserted for her cancer treatments).

Noel eats an Angus Bacon Cheeze BurgerNoel was thankful that, whilst waiting to hear this afternoon’s appointment time for his Hickman removal, he was able to have lunch of a freshly cooked Angus Burger with bacon and cheese. This was his first meal not cooked by me since May last year!! He is not yet cleared to eat normal ‘take out’ food or to eat in restaurants but we found a quiet place to sit, away from others, and the chef at the grill at the Dana-Farber restaurant was willing to cook the burger fresh for Noel. Normally during the busy lunch time they are pre-cooked and kept warm – a big “no, no” for the food Noel eats.

  • We are thankful even with coughs and colds in the family we have stayed well.
  • We are thankful that we are able to walk for exercise at the Glens Falls Civic Center away from crowds and in a warm and dry environment.
  • We are thankful for seeing our grandchildren Eve and Will in England in real time via the computer and have some one on one interaction with them.
  • We are thankful for the time we can spend with Charlotte and Lucy.
  • We are thankful for Father Dave bringing us the Reserved Sacrament each week.
  • We have been thankful for Bishop Dan Herzog’s ministry as interim priest-in-charge at the church we attend, but haven’t set foot inside for over 7 months. He and his wife, Carol, have visited us numerous times, bringing Communion when Fr. Dave could not come.
  • We are thankful for phone calls and emails and even Facebook that keeps us in contact with friends.

Above all, it is to the Lord we are most thankful and we know that all things work for the good for those who love Him… and we are grateful for so many answered prayers and blessing. Please give thanks with us.

Please continue to pray as before for us on this journey to full health.

  • For Noel’s new donor bone marrow to make good strong blood cells.
  • For the resources to cover all the ongoing medical and drug costs.
  • For patience as we spend more time at home but still with many restrictions.
  • For our families here and in England.
  • For safe traveling in winter conditions.

With love and prayers for you all. Thank you for reading our updates and praying for us. Your encouragement to us has been amazing over the last few months… God Bless you.

First Update of 2013 – Transplant Day plus 213

Hampton Inn, Boston Crosstown, MA.

” If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed. if you look within you will be depressed. But if you look at the Lord you’ll be at rest”. Corrie ten Boom.

” I lift my eyes to the hills. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord………..Both now and evermore.” Psalm 121.

Happy New Year to everyone! The new year here in the North East USA brought us expected very cold temperatures and snow… ‘beautiful to look at’ is all I have to say about it! But we were blessed by Toby and a friend of his and JoAnn’s who snow plowed our driveway and side walks after the two heavy falls. We are sure the winter will bring us more snow but hopefully sunny days too.

Today is day plus 213 or 7 months post transplant… and we continue to see slow but steady progress along the road to recovery. We saw Amy, Dr S’s NP today. She was happy with Noel’s general health and pleased to hear he is regularly walking for exercise…
His WBC was looking a lot better today and almost into the lower range of normal. His RBC remains much the same as do the Platelets. His blood DNA is still at 99/100% which is good and expected; and his GVHD is slowly getting better but energy levels still fluctuate daily.

Today’s bloodwork results
White blood cells, 3.4 – Last time, 1.9 – Normal, 3.8-9.2
Red blood cells, 2.68 – Last time, 2.65 – Normal, 4.2-5.6
Platelets, 58 – Last time, 58 – Normal, 155-410

Amy, seeing the improvement in the GVHD, has again lowered Noel’s dose of steroid so hopefully he will soon be off it altogether. His liver and kidney levels were also looking a little better.

We talked with her about his immune system and when we could expect to see it recover… She said it is still early days and described his immune system as having 3 components: first, the system itself, Noel’s being a ‘baby’ one just 7 months old. Secondly, the blood count levels, especially the white cells. And, thirdly, the drugs he is on that can suppress or affect the immune system. She thinks it will be later in the Spring around March when restrictions can start to be lifted but is willing to keep reassessing this. But this is the worst part of the year for coughs, colds and ‘flu, evidenced just today when the Mayor of Boston declared a state of health emergency, the city having had over 700 flu admissions to hospital in the last few days, more than 10 times the total for last year. This week the ‘flu virus seems to have hit many areas country wide and hospitals in several cities are overwhelmed with cases and a number of deaths. It seems that although the vaccine does help it is missing one strand which is hitting some people very hard. We are trying to keep away from people and germs as Noel is more susceptible than the average person, even though he had a ‘flu injection back in November.

Noel is very much hoping to have all the restrictions lifted by mid March as he would like to fly to Atlanta for an important 3 day CANA Convention. But as this involves travel and being with a lot of people we will have to see how things pan out… Amy is not willing to take risks and neither are we… We have come to far to have any avoidable set backs.

Noel’s next appointment is in 2 weeks on January 23rd with Dr. Soiffer. We hope he will say Noel can have the Hickman line taken out as it now seems redundant as he has not needed a transfusion for over 2 months. Amy said she was hopeful he will also be moved to appointments every 3 weeks… So that will be another step forward.

This visit we were unable to have accommodation at the Hope Lodge but thankfully have been able to stay at the Hampton Inn at the reduced hospital rate. This was an answer to prayer as when I first tried to book there were no rooms available. With so many hospitals in Boston and so may out of town patients, subsidized rooms are greatly sought after. Praise the Lord for his faithfulness to us. Our prayer this year continues to be that He will provide for our needs as he did throughout the last year.

We continue to be blessed by our friend Father Dave (formally Deacon Dave) who was ordained as a priest in December. He brings us Holy Communion each week. Also by visits from friends and family (germ free, of course). And we are enjoying having Lucy for some day care days and seeing Charlotte after school some times. Thankfully they have remained well and healthy. Long may it last!

We hope your new year has got off to a good start. We were pleased to have lots of news from people over the Christmas time and we would love to hear your news and prayer requests at other times too… Do keep in touch.

Prayer requests

  • for movement forward to appointments every 3 weeks.
  • for resources to meet all the medical bills and associated costs.
  • for accommodation needs in Boston, either at the Hope Lodge or reduced rates at the hotel.
  • safety as we travel in winter weather.
  • good health keeping free from seasonal germs.
  • for our families here and in the UK.

And please give praise with us for so very many blessings that have seen us through the past almost 2 years since Noel was unexpectedly diagnosed with cancer. A journey we would not have chosen but one of many blessings.

Boston, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 2012

Written on December 24th/25th 2012, Hope Lodge Boston.
Transplant Day plus 198 and 199

‘Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared praising God and saying ” Glory to God in the highest and on earth to men on whom his favor rests” Luke 2 :13,14 NIV.

‘For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace’ Isaiah 9: 6 NIV.

John 3:16 -“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (NLT)

We celebrated Christmas at our home yesterday, Sunday, with Toby, JoAnn, Charlotte and Lucy… Enjoying seeing the girls thrilled with the gifts they unwrapped… and enjoyed a meal of roast pork followed by Christmas pudding and mince pies… while wearing the paper hats from our Christmas Crackers and laughing at the silly jokes we found inside. But I will spare you from those!!! And we all had a great time interacting with Charles, Sarah, Evelyn and William in the UK via Skype. Not quite like all being physically together but fun.

Today, Christmas Eve we drove here to Boston in glorious sunshine… cold and brisk but so beautiful through the Berkshires and what a blessing, only a few heavy vehicles and much lighter traffic than normal on the Interstate… and we were able to get good reception on the Public Radio station so listened to the traditional Christmas service of nine lessons and carols from the King’s College Chapel, Cambridge, England. It was very uplifting.

We arrived in good time for Noel’s appointment with Dr. Soiffer at the Dana Faber today… Very few patients being seen today so we had a short waiting time… Still not any great changes in Noel’s levels… Dr. Soiffer says he is not worried with a big W or even worried with a small w but is keeping a close eye on him. Today Noel’s platelets were down very slightly, his Red cells were very very slightly up but his White cells had dropped quite a lot… which is not good for fighting infection at this difficult time of the year when there are so many people fighting different seasonal illnesses. So he will need to be extra careful.

Today’s results (and 12 days ago)
White blood cells: 1.9 — Last time: 3.1 — Normal: 3.8 – 9.2
Red blood cells: 2.65 — Last time: 2.58 — Normal: 4.2 – 5.6
Platelets: 55 — Last time: 58 — Normal: 155 – 410

So all his restrictions stay in place. Noel is still fighting the mild GVHD and the sores and thrush in his mouth. Glucose level is too high so a watch is being kept on that too. Noel’s next appointment is on Wednesday, January 9th, 2013.

Our Christmas Day tomorrow will be quiet as there are few guests here most people having been able to go home for a couple of days break. We do have a friend and his wife coming to visit us around 9am in the morning and although not yet confirmed with the duty manager they hope to play Christmas Carols on the piano and violin for every one to enjoy. Then there is a Brunch at 10:30am kindly put on by local volunteers. Of course Noel cannot eat the food from the buffet but I brought breakfast stuff with us and have a tasty but simple meal planned for tomorrow evening. We will drive home on Boxing Day, 26th… Snow is forecast over the next couple of days but hopefully in this area only about an inch, just enough to make everywhere look picture perfect but not enough to delay our travel plans.

So this year will soon be coming to an end and a new one beginning… We pray for you all to be blessed with the peace of the Lord and to stay safe and healthy. God Bless you!

We were blessed by receiving so many cards and good wishes this Christmas time… Thank you all for your continued prayers and for standing with us though difficult times… We hope you will continue to pray for us in 2013 and continue to follow Noel’s progress on the road to a full recovery.

Prayer requests:

  • For Noel’s blood levels to return to and stay within the normal range.
  • For The Lord to continue to bless us with the resources we need to pay all the medical bills this coming year.
  • For safe travel during winter weather.
  • For both of us to have renewed energy.
  • For our families on both sides of the Atlantic.

Thank you, please do stay in touch, we love hearing from you… Happy New Year!

Christmas Day update:
We have enjoyed our day… Our friends Greg and Diane and their son Matt arrived as planned and permission was given to announce the Carol singing. Sadly the piano was out of key but Greg played his violin. Four other guests came and were all thrilled to hear Noel read the Christmas story and joined in the carol singing. We finished with the prayer of St. Francis and all felt up lifted.

Brunch was a FIVE STAR event… hosted by Hope Lodge Board members… they supplied and cooked a variety of omelets, bacon and pancakes… fresh fruit salad and whole fruits a huge array of pastries and muffins and breakfast cereals… and lots of coffee and juice. As some of it was cooked freshly to order Noel was able to enjoy it. Greg, Diane and Matt were also able to join us for the brunch before driving on to see relatives locally and then drive home to Maine.

We were also blessed by a gift of a hand knitted scarf each… made mostly by one lady who said she wanted to keep us warm in the chilly Boston weather. So a great Christmas Morning. We have much to give praise and thanks for.

Day +186 post transplant – 12/12/12!

Hope Lodge, Boston

Trust The Lord with all your heart, and don’t depend on your own understanding. Remember The Lord in all you do, and he will give you success. Proverbs. 3:5-6 .

But as for me, I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more. Psalm 71:14

Some words that come to mind this week are blessings, frustrated, discouraged, confident, steadfast and thanksgiving and praise… Why these words, you ask?

Yesterday was 6 months since the day Noel had what they like to call his re birthday… June 11th… The day he received the huge blessing of his bone marrow transplant. A little frustrated at times is how Noel has felt as 6 moths ago he predicted he would be well by now and back to living a normal life even though he was being told it would take 12 months. He thought a strong infantry guy like him would crack it in 6 months! Wrong! But he is confident he will have done so by the 12 month point… the Doctors are too… and say although progress seems slow, it is progress and he is now in remission… they will continue to call the phase he is in remission until the 5 year point because as with all cancers there is always a slight chance it will return but after 5 years it is far less likely it will. So we stand firm in our belief the cancer has gone – every scientific indication confirms that it has – and give thanks and praise to the Lord… We are not discouraged!

Last week Noel did not have an appointment at the DFCI but did have an appointment with ‘Dr G-G’, his hematologist at the C R Wood Cancer Center at Glens Falls Hospital. She was pleased with his progress and was able to prescribe some antibiotics as Noel had a slight cold. Good to nip it in the bud before it got a hold of him and make him really ill, having little or no immune system yet. Other wise he has felt well, still has the sore mouth and throat but less than it was; and he often hits a brick wall of fatigue.

* In himself, Noel is ready to be back in action with his ministry and has been able to have some meaningful one-to-one telephone conversations and social media ministry interaction during the past 2 weeks. He has also been able to take part in two ministry prayer meetings by telephone plus a phone conference Board meeting of Olive Branch International, a follow up video-conference Board meeting and, last but not least, a long and encouraging phone call with the Executive Director of ACCTS, his “Boss”. In all of these calls, new ministry proposals for the future were talked about and received enthusiastically by others.

* Most of these proposals concern national and international plans to minister to Chaplains and war traumatized Veterans. Some proposals concern how to promote forgiveness and reconciliation between former military enemies. Realistically, we pray these plans will start to come to fruition in 2014, being energized by Global Interaction, a world wide military Christian training event being held in South Africa, which Noel and Meryl hope to go to. However, some of the proposals can start to be implemented before then. So, please pray that the Lord will abundantly supply the resources needed to implement the proposals, as well as the skilled people to action them. And this in addition to steep ongoing medical costs to treat Noel’s recovery. Anyone desiring to support the un-salaried, charitable military ministry should first ask Noel for advice on how best to do this. Funds to help cover the medical side should be sent direct to Noel and Meryl as previously explained.

These last 2 * paragraphs were actually written by Noel , maybe you thought that!

Back to the medical stuff! Written again by me…

Today’s Noel’s blood work at the DFCI was encouraging but still remains lower than normal.

Red Blood cells, 2.58 — Two weeks ago, 2.5 — Normal. 4.2-5.6
White Blood cells, 3.1 — Two weeks ago, 2.52 — Normal. 3.8-9.2
Platelets, 58 — Two weeks ago, 48 — Normal. 155-410

Amy, the NP, lowered the steroid dose again this week… A good sign that the GVH disease is under control, even if it seems to be lasting forever! She kept all his other drugs the same. Next appointment December 24th.

So we are praising The Lord that even though there have been difficult days during the last six months, He has been our strength and we have weathered the storm… but sometimes things do happen to discourage us along the way… Some of you may remember 5 years ago, I, Meryl, had what I called my ‘brief encounter’ with cancer… early diagnosis and treatment and the cancer was gone… But it seems my body was very sensitive (3-5 % of people are, apparently, very sensitive to radiation treatment) and the invasive and intense radiation to my pelvic area caused server damage to my colon. Six months after the treatment I had to have a piece removed during a colon resection… now 5 years later radiation damage has shown up in my bladder. This is giving me some side effects and discomfort. So at this moment I do feel somewhat discouraged… And seek your prayers for healing and acceptance of what the ‘new normal’ all this brings with it, so that I can say I am not discouraged but encouraged once more… And I will once again soar like an eagle as the Lord, in whom I trust, restores me.

The good news and answer to prayer is that there is room in the inn! We have a confirmed place to stay at Hope Lodge on the nights of the 24th and 25th of December… So we will drive down here to Boson early morning on Christmas Eve, have Noel’s appointments at the DFCI in the afternoon and then spend Christmas Day at Hope Lodge and drive home on the 26th, the day we call Boxing Day… so although a white Christmas would be pretty we hope for fine dry weather as we travel.

Charlotte and Lucy with Santa

Charlotte and Lucy with Santa

We will celebrate the reason for the season with a family dinner at our house on Sunday the 23rd and enjoy seeing Charlotte and Lucy open some gifts they will find under our Christmas Tree. Normally on the 20th of December we all go out together as a family for a meal, a family tradition since our own boys were young but this year as Noel can not eat in restaurants we will also celebrate our 42nd wedding anniversary on that same Sunday, quite appropriate as the 20th December 1970, the day we were married was a Sunday.

It’s a busy time of the year for children. Charlotte and Lucy have been enjoying a number of Christmas parties. In England, our granddaughter Eve has the part of Mary in the school Nativity play… watch for photos very soon.

Our prayer for you all is that your Christmas will be blessed with good health, safe travel and happy reunions with family and friends… as you celebrate the best gift anyone of us will ever receive… God’s gift of Eternal Life through Jesus our Lord…

Please pray for us and our family as the Lord leads you, we thank you for your faithfulness to us during the past months… and thank the Lord he has heard and answered your prayers. God Bless you!

Web site URLs:

Transplant Day plus 170

Hope Lodge. Wednesday 28th November 2012

Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again, Rejoice! Philippians.4.4

We are rejoicing and praising and thanking the Lord this Thanksgiving season for so many blessings, not least for our son Charles, who was born the day after Thanksgiving, 40 years ago on November 24th 1972. He and his family are a blessing to us in so many ways.

Yesterday we set out to drive to Boston knowing that the weather forecast was for snow over the Berkshires and in Boston… so we loaded the car with boots, snow shovels and blankets and extra food… thankfully none were needed as all we saw was light snow and some rain… not sure who got the snow but so glad we did not.

Empty Vials - 19 in all

19 Empty Vials

Noel’s appointment early today started as usual with getting his blood drawn for testing. Today the nurse drew 19 vials of blood, some of which will be used for the research program Noel signed up for earlier in his treatment. The others were for the normal multiple tests he always has. We are so grateful for these tests as besides showing how his progress is coming along they show early indications of any ‘ problems’ that could arise. Two weeks ago at Noel’s appointment Amy, the NP, ordered an extra test, using the blood that had been drawn that day, as it was suspected that part of Noel’s high liver function levels could be due to a dormant virus common to most humans. She called Noel 2 days later to say there was evidence of this virus so a prescription had been sent electronically to our local pharmacy for him.

Collecting the blood

Collecting the blood

The virus, known as CMV (Cytomegalovirus) is usually contracted in childhood and can cause some childhood fevers and then generally lies dormant in the body with no symptoms ever again. In people with a weakened immune system it can cause major problems, so we are grateful for this early detection and the powerful (amazingly expensive) drug that Noel is now taking to prevent any attack on his body from this virus. Thank the Lord for such good medical care.

Today Amy came into the consulting room with a big smile on her face and the good news that Noel’s liver function tests are now with in the normal range… Thank you Lord… Noel will continue to take the drug to ward off any CMV and she has lowered one of the anti-rejection drugs which should also help with his levels…

Labels, labels, labels!

Labels, labels, labels!

It is a fine balance with the many drugs he takes. We have complete faith in her and Dr. Soiffer’s ability and experience when it comes to ‘getting it right’. Amy also lowered the steroid dose, as the GVHD seems to be under control, which is good progress. He continues to take his many other medications.

Noel’s Red and White cells and platelets showed little change from 2 weeks ago…
Red cells 2.5 — Two weeks ago 3.0 — Normal 3.8 – 9.2
White cells 2.52 — Two weeks ago 3.02 — Normal 4.2 – 5.6
Platelets 48 — Two weeks ago 48 — Normal 155 – 410

So a slight drop in Red and White levels with the Platelets staying the same, Amy says Noel must be very careful not to do anything that would run the risk of injury as platelets this low can cause major bleeding. We are patiently waiting for Noel’s levels to become normal.

The thrush Noel has now had for some weeks in his mouth and throat is slowly getting better but still very uncomfortable and sore. The good news is, he has had some greater levels of energy and motivation, we have been blessed with quite a few warmer sunny days recently and he has ridden his bicycle a couple of miles most days to try and build up his strength again… as he can not yet go back to his exercise routine at the YMCA. Amy said again today he is still restricted and cannot be in public places or with groups of people for at least a couple more months, when she will review the situation again. So this means no Christmas Church services and no Christmas Parties for us this year. In January, Noel will also miss taking part in the very first Welcome Home Initiative solely for female Veterans who have served in a combat zone (the 15th Retreat overall, of which Noel has co-led or led 13 in the past 5 years).

If fact our Christmas is going to be slightly unusual this year. Because Noel is now on a regime of appointments every second week, his next appointment is the 12th of December and two weeks after that brings us to December 26th but because of the holidays his appointment has been brought forward to the afternoon of Christmas Eve, Monday the 24th.

We will plan to drive down to Boston early that morning. After the appointments we find it is usually too much to drive back to Glens Falls, so we plan to stay over night in Boston. I have asked to stay here at The Hope Lodge but there is ‘no room in the Inn’. All rooms are fully booked. Cancer does not take holidays so people need to be in Boston even during Christmas week for appointments and treatment. We are on the waiting list for a cancellation But we will also make a booking at a hotel to make sure in any event we do have somewhere to stay. We will then either drive home on Christmas Day or the next day the one we call Boxing Day. We plan to celebrate the real reason for the season with a traditional English Christmas family meal together with Toby, JoAnn, Charlotte and Lucy on Sunday the 23rd.

So to sum up Noel’s progress… The road continues to seem slow but this is not unusual and the Doctors are pleased with the progress. Yes, there have been some issues to deal with along the way and the road has not been the smoothest. There is still a way to go but we are confident all is well and all will be well.

We give thanks and praise for the love that our Lord God has shown to us during this past 6 months in so, so many ways. His loving kindness has sustained us and given us hope, strength and peace and you have all given us encouragement and support in so many ways. We can not imagine how we would have got through with out the Lord and you, our friends and family. Our Thanksgiving Day thanks were for you all. God Bless you!

Please pray with us this week…

  • We ask for prayers for Ron, JoAnn’s father. He has not been well recently and was admitted to hospital via the ER on Monday with congestive heart failure. Pray for his healing. Two ‘out of action’ grandfathers is not good. For the past 6 months while we have not been able to help, Ron has been playing a major role in Lucy’s day care and Charlotte’s after school care. Please pray we, as a family, can still all help provide the daily care the girls need while their parents are at work. Hopefully we can now help a little so long as the girls are well.
  • For Noel and all who are in regular contact with him (that’s mostly Meryl and the family) to stay healthy during this season of colds and coughs. A common cold could be serious for Noel could even put him in the hospital.
  • For Noel to continue to move forward in his recovery and all blood levels to be good.
  • For safe travel to Boston and back in winter weather.
  • For a room to become available at Hope Lodge for our Christmas week stay in Boston.
  • For the Lord to continue to meet all our various needs as He has been doing. PTL!
  • Have a blessed season of Advent. As we await the Christmas celebration of God’s amazing gift to us all… Jesus, for us He is the reason for the season.

And to our Jewish friends and family we wish you a happy and blessed Hanukkah.