Relying on God's Strength; A Day Later

Isaiah 40:28-31
28 Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.

29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.

30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;

31 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.

We're a day removed from our visit to Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, where we met with the transplant doctors. We have had some time to think about a long day yesterday and here are a few thoughts.

It was a little overwhelming to walk into the Siteman Cancer Center. We knew what we were dealing with was the precursor to leukemia, a form of cancer. But to know we were going there for Tammy's evaluation was a little chilling. That section of the hospital was filled with people all battling cancer. Tammy felt a little out of place, because she still feels pretty good. To know that without treatment, she soon will be like many of those people who need assistance to perform everyday functions makes us that much more determined to take care of this right away.

The care we received there was remarkable. There's a reason that Barnes has the reputation of one of the best cancer hospitals in the nation. The process was organized and very smooth. The people were gracious and caring. They were thorough and willing to meet with us until all our questions were answered. We left there with the feeling that if we do decide to have the transplant done there, we will be in extremely good hands.

They also were very "human." We told the lead doctor that our desire was to have the transplant done in Kansas City, at KU Medical Center, so Tammy would be closer to friends and family during the preparatory and recovery periods. KU is the only hospital in Kansas City capable of doing the bone-marrow transplant. The doctor told us he had full confidence that KU would do an excellent job and he is willing to help us in the process.

We are still investigating that possibility. There are a lot of details that have to fall into place in order for that to be a possibility. We ask for your prayers that all of those details would fall into God's will, and that we will graciously accept whatever His decision is.

We are tired today. A long day yesterday, followed by a short night, made it tough to work today (yes, Tammy went back to work). But we are relying on the Lord, who will renew our strength. We will run and not grow weary. We will walk and not be faint.