Here We Go Again

As promised...here's the latest. My bone marrow results show that the disease is still active and progressing. The scans show however that the nodes have not changed much if any since the last test. This is good news as it indicates that the disease is not in an advanced stage. I feel great...better everyday in fact. Dr. Khouri says this is a good thing. The stronger and better I feel will help me get through the transplant.

Speaking of the transplant...tomorrow January 18 will be Day -12. I'll be admitted next Tuesday and if all goes well with the chemo, Day 0 will be Monday, January 31.

I'm excited to get going and get this behind me again. Debbie and I will keep you posted as the process moves forward. To those of you who saw Legacy Five these last 2 weekends, thanks for being so supportive. It was very good medicine for me. I think that it was a very good reminder to me of what I love to do and am called to, and a very good incentive for me to get this over with and get back to it.

In closing I want to send out a big thank you to the team of great ladies who make up my bone marrow aspiration team. It's a tough test to take, but with their sweetness and patience (and drugs) they make it a breeze. They not only see a side of me that you will never see, they have to bring me out of the sleepy place and there is no telling what I'll say. I just know that they are all my buddies and ( I can't believe I'm saying this) I look forward to the test because of them. So to Crystal Franklin, Anna Gonzalez , CRNA, Mona Sarkiss, MD, Terrie Mee, and Mariamma Oommen, Bone Marrow Technicians, thanks for all you do for so many people, you will all have crowns in Heaven. Thanks for making us BMA patients feel like more than a number!

In His Grip!

Roger

Comments

[Simon DeSoto]

Roger,
Keep the Faith and know you are always in my prayers!
God Bless you and your family!

[Jill, John & Jay Wilson]

We will be praying that you keep feeling good. Jay says he prays for "no bad feelings" while you're doing the chemo, so I interpret that to mean "no bad side effects".

We're looking forward to seeing YOU back in TX for either a "vacation" (whatever that is) or L5 in our area during 2005. If Jill can get over her inability to sit up for very long, we will be at the L5 concert in Temple in March. Jill's parents will be in Tomball, and Clara is DETERMINED to get at least a couple of autographs for Jay.

We will continue to pray for you and your wife, since this will be almost as hard on her as on you. I think your week-ends with L5 will go a long way toward getting you through the next few days/weeks/months.

Rest assured that the rope is being held TIGHTLY and SECURELY in our "neck of the woods".
John & Jill Wilson (& Jay, since he's already in bed)

[Lola McVey]

What a beautiful tribute you have given your nurses in this posting. It will be much appreciated, I'm sure. I feel certain that you were best served when your father had to postpone his contribution of the bone marrow recently. It gave you time to build up a little more stamina and also to get the psychological and spiritual boost of being out with Legacy Five. We seldom know the "why" of such things. But we must trust that it is the right thing for His plans. Hang on to the "rope" we are all holding for you and yours.

In Christian Love,
Lola McVey

[Brian Lewis]

Hey Roger!
So glad to hear your spirits are high and you are feeling so well. Thanks for letting us know so we know our prayers are working.
May His Boundless Love continue to reach down and touch you according to your needs!
We love you!

[Evelyn Black]

Roger-Thanks for the update-So glad you are this far into the transplant--I told Deb,that behind every man,stands a good woman-now with your Deb and the precious nurses,you know it is very well true--we are all still praying for all of you in every way. Always in his Grip--Evelyn Black

[JAY WILSON]

im not in bed hahahaha but i wil bee n truble when mom andad see this. i jus had to loook 1 moore tim e beefour i wnt to sleeep. im glaad ur doong so goood. pleez pray for my mom too becuz she is sik. i don lik it whn shez sik. it maks me skrd. she fel yestrday dad sez mom fanted & we had too tak her too the emrgncy rooom. i din lik thaat. GOD bles u & ur famly.
Luv - - JAY WILSON

[Helen Johnson]

Roger, it was good to see you in Weatherford this week-end and get to hear L5 sing the songs from "Monuments." This is probably the best project you guys have ever done. Each song is very special.
As you approach this new transplant rest assured that your friends are holding fast. Our faith has grown steadyly over the past year as we hold you before the Throne every day. Thank-you for allowing us to be a part of this most private part of your life.
Helen

[Clara & Walter]

I would say your news is good AND bad. However, I (Clara) just somehow think that this time the transplant will "take".

I hope folks will pray for our daughter, Jill, too. She said the dr. told her she's anemic but he doesn't know why. Tests for her, too. And maybe the "bone marrow thing" like you've had to do several times if they can't figure out WHY she's anemic. I don't think that came out too plainly so I hope you can understand it.

Walt and I will continue to pray for you and your wife since, as John said, it's almost as difficult (or IS as difficult) for her as it is for you.

May God continue to shine His face upon you, and keep you comforted. We KNOW He will.
Walt & Clara Schnorbus

[James & Megan McGrath]

Just read your "Here We Go Again" post. We will put those dates on our calendar at work, here at home AND on our computers in both places, just to remind us to say an extra prayer for you on those days. You MUST be doing fairly well because your recent postings (and those of your wife's) seem to have gotten "happier and happier" over the last couple of weeks. I agree with one of your Ropeholders who said they think 2005 will be "YOUR YEAR", and that of L5's as well.

Thank you so much for taking time to keep us posted. We all know you have so much on your mind yet you never "forget" those of us who are waiting anxiously to hear from you. I think we will all miss these postings when you leave Houston to go home to Tennessee. Maybe you can think of something to "wean" us from our daily habit of checking this site as soon as the computer is booted up and ready to go. : )

Love to both of you from James and me (& ?).
Megan McGrath

[ann woodward]

Hi Roger,
Glad to hear you're counting down again.
I bet every one of those nice people you are thanking are thankful for the privilege of helping you. I'm sure they've witnessed your kindness and understanding with the other patients and have probably experienced your humorous side too.
In His Love,
Ann

[Nina Foster]

Dear Roger:

Thanks for the update. So your "running around" days are on hold for a while and it is time to get down to business! Just know that your horde of ropeholders will be in earnest prayer. As others have stated, I am confident that this is going to be successful and you will have healing so God can use you for His glory for years to come.

We love you. Nina

[Vicky]

I have your "countdown" dates on my calendar here at home, and they will go on the one at work, along with the daily "reminder" to pray for you, your family, and L5. I am so glad you had a chance to do some traveling with them, albeit usually at the last minute. My family and I will continue to lift your name in prayer, and hold our end of the rope in Central Texas. May God's love and His blessings continue to cover you and keep you safe.
Vicky (Schnorbus) (Jay's great-aunt)

[Felda]

Glad to hear you're "counting down" again. You once said you liked having a Plan of Action, so I'm sure this is reassuring to you. My family and I will add extra prayers on the dates you mentioned, in addition to our daily ones. We just KNOW that this time the transplant will do a "super-duper good job", as my neighbor's two children say. My favorite pastor used to say "Just keep on keepin' on", so that will be our closing advice to you. Just "keep on keeping on". God bless you and your "extended family". We're holding tightly to that rope here in Central Texas.
Felda Holder

[Joy N. Lee]

What a BLESSING to read such a inspiring and enerzing report. Trusting all will go well with your transplant procedure. We look forward to seeing and hearing L5 in Monroe, Louisian this Saturday night at the Ouachita High School...

Still holding on to the ROPE for your complete recovery.

[Peggy]

Thanks for being so open with us, Roger. You are such an inspiration, and have been in our prayers so long that you've become a good friend, part of the family. It's very kind of you and your family to share you with us so generously.

What a nice tribute to your bone marrow team. God bless them! As others here have stated, I'll be counting down with you and holding you up before the Great Healer. Love and prayers, Peggy

[Lula]

Roger, as you said, it will all soon be behind you, and won't it be wonderful to have it over and done with. I'm sure the fans were as happy to see you as you were to see them. Keep looking up. God is still in control.
Love and prayers from Virginia,
Harold and Lula

[Nancy]

I, too, will join in the countdown. (Can you hear us all saying 12...11...10...9... 8...?) You will all be in my prayers in extra measure as we go for Transplant, Take 2. I know you are eager to have this behind you so you can get back to doing what you love, and what we love to have you doing. I'm planning to see L5 in Lancaster, SC in March. I know if things are on schedule you won't be able to be there, and we will certainly miss you, but the guys have done a great job "keeping on" in your absence.
I love you all! Rest easy, now, and leave things in the hands of your capable nurses (including Debbie) and our Great Physician.
Holding the rope in freezing SC,
Nancy

[sally]

here "we" go again - God is beside you all the way. Thanks for continuing to share your heart and soul with us. You - and good ole George - God ain't done with either one of you yet! Hope you have a great week. Your music continues to bless so many people. We love you bunches and pray for you always.

[Clara C. Schnorbus]

I was just thinking (bad thing for me to do :) that instead of being "behind" you, the BMT will probably be done in "front" of you. On one of the week-ends Jill spent with a friend while they were in college, her friend's mother told them that if the dorms weren't open they could sit on their luggage (and wait). The friend's father said "That's the first time I've heard it called 'luggage'." :) We're still SO GLAD that you had the opportunity to travel with L5 before the really hard part gets started. You have a wonderful sense of humor, and it will surely help to keep you and Debbie "up" for the rest of the BMT procedures.

Jay has something he wants to send you, but I told him there wasn't an address to send it to. If you ever get one, we will let him send it. Meanwhile, please know that Jay is more of a "prayer warrior" than most of us in the family. He prays for you every day, several times a day, and he just "knows" that you'll be in our area some day and he will get to go and watch you play.

Good luck with your remaining medical schedule, love from Jay (Wilson), and God's blessings on you and your wife as well as your family.

Holding firmly to our rope in Central TEXAS, Clara (Conder) Schnorbus (& Walt, if he were here :)

[Peggy B.]

Roger B.
Thanks for the update. You know that Henry and I pray for you several times a day. We also pray for the part of the group that is on the road--no more owls or things like that. Take care and remember we are a phone call away for Debbie or any errand she needs run.
Hanging on to the Rope,
Peggy B.

[Patricia]

Roger and Debbie:

You are constantly in my prayers. God is good and in control. Keep trusting in Him -He will see you through this ordeal, as He always has. It is so good that you keep all of your faithful "fans" involved and aware of the situation at all times and at all costs to you. Keep the faith! May God continue to bless you!

[Elaine Harcourt]

Roger, I'm so glad that you are feeling well & that things are progressing. I'll circle 1/31 on my calendar. Praying for you & Debbie through this valley. Glad that your spirits are high. You are such an inspiration to the rest of us. God bless you richly.

[Ann Farmer]

Roger, this is great news. You have so many (friends, aquaintances, and stangers) who are pulling for you. I saw your dad at the post office yesterday. He looks so good and is such a sweetheart. I think he is trying to adjust to this Arkansas weather after being in Texas. I, for one, am praying that all goes well Jan 31. May God continue to Bless you and your precious family.
Ann Farmer Cave City

[doris fryer]

Roger & Debbie,
We are so glad to hear that your weekend trip with L5 was as great for you as it was for us. You all sounded the best we have ever heard. God was in the house. L5 will be unstoppable in spreading God’s love when your transplant is over & you are well. We were so touched by the entire group that we went home & made reservations for L5 Homecoming Celebration in Nashville.
Our prayers are with you & your family everyday.

Your thoughtfulness in allowing Justin, the young pianist in Weatherford to play a song with the group made his face shine with happiness & when you called him over to play the last song with you I believe that was the high point in his life so far.

We are praying & believing God for your complete recovery.

Holding the rope
Don & Doris

[becky arvin]

Roger. Thanks again for sharing with us the update and know you are in lots of prayers. You just sense the difference in you and I am so proud that you are heading into to this full speed ahead. Our calendars are marked and extra prayers will be sent. You are such a blessing and have touched so many lives. we love you. your Ky friend Becky