1.22.09

From Joanie:

Dear Friends, Today was a very sad day ....we had to say goodbye to Cindy and Bob as they headed by train back to Colorado. We will miss them so so much!! What a blessing they were not only for the Stem Cells that Cindy donated for Rand, but also for their continual support and love. We are forever grateful to them!! After we brought them to the train station we went to have routine blood work done on Rand. I had a gut feeling that things weren't right because he was showing symptoms of shortness of breath, weakness, anxiety and nausea. We discovered that Rand's potassium was way too high. So after seeing Dr. Yannik we again found ourselves in E.R. . They worked quickly and efficiently to get his potassium to come down. We didn't realize that if they had continued to rise he was at risk for cardiac arrest. His kidney counts were off as well as his liver counts. But, by God's amazing healing powers all tests so far on his kidney and liver are good. And the tests that have come back are all back to normal. Praise God once again!!1 We are again breathing a sigh of thankfulness and praising God for His goodness. He was admitted at about 5:30 tonight and I'm not sure how long he will stay...wouldn't be surprised if he would just stay until Monday and then head over to the Transplant Wing. We are praying that all counts and tests that are still our there will come back clear and that he can begin building back his strength...and "can do" attitude. There have been so many ups and down's on this journey, but everyone has been for Rand's benefit and well being and for that we are so thankful. Dr. Yannick just dropped by and just schook his head in disbelief and said, "You sure are something!!!" He was very pleased with the way all turned out and he's planning on Monday for the beginning of Chemo and Transplant. It is pretty "empty" and lonely at our hotel right now, but I know that God will help me through this period of adjustment. The kids are planning a trip soon, which will be wonderful. I do have our kitty K.C. which is soo nice to come home to. Well, dearest ones we stand firm in God's love and amazing healing and continue on our amazing journey! Love and blessings to you all! Rand and Joanie