Yes, in the dim world I’ve been living in since last September when I was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome, there is now a bright glimmer of hope that my days may not be as briefly numbered as I’ve feared. UT Southwestern in Dallas, TX, which is about an hour from where I live, is a huge complex made up of medical centers, hospitals, and a medical school. They are therefore on the cutting edge of medicines, treatments, surgical procedures, and research. It is where my 70+ year-old-brother-in-law received a heart transplant 2 years ago. The new heart not only saved his life but also improved his overall health TREMENDOUSLY! So it was that he and his wife, my youngest sister, pleaded with me months ago to go over UT Southwestern to get a second opinion because neither they nor I were at all happy with my treatment here. In the meantime, however, my husband James who has macular degeneration had a hemorrhage in his good eye which required surgery and for now has rendered him unable to drive to Dallas. But since my sister and my niece declared they could and would take me whenever I needed to go I finally called and made an appointment for last Monday, the 28th of January, and they placed me with one of two doctors there who specialize in MDS. The one I saw, Dr. Patel, is not only a doctor but also a professor in the medical school there, and I LOVED her. She is not only one smart cookie, but she is also very vibrant and upbeat. And she told me so much more than I’d been told before. Thus my husband and I immediately agreed to let her start treating me. The difference in the way patients are treated there is a day and night different experience than compared to what occurs in the Texas Oncology facility here. She not only explained so much about my condition, but she also allowed me to ask lots of questions. This does not mean that I am not dealing with a life ending disease any longer, but what she told me offered me more hope that my end could be years and possibly many years down the road still. She also pointed out that because I’m just one percentage point out of the low risk stage of this disease, that there is another kind of treatment that might actually be more successful. So as of this Monday I stopped the chemo that I had been getting once a week every month for the last 4 months here and will start a non-chemo new treatment tomorrow which hopefully will be successful not only in stemming the tide of the onset of untreatable leukemia, but will also slow or stop the need for blood transfusions and best of all help me have more energy and feel better. Should it fail however she can and will start me back on the chemo and when and if that fails, she has clinical trial options we can talk about. Needless to say I’m praising God as always and thanking him for interceding in the misery of a place, a doctor, a seemingly cold and uncaring staff that I’d come to detest. So tonight I’m ever so much more hopeful than I’ve been in months and months. But it may be a while yet before I can be more active again on my blog. I’m hopeful that it won’t be all that long though. Unfortunately it has just been really hard, as someone once said to me long ago, to think about cleaning the swamp when one is up to his/her “derrière” (buttocks or a…) in alligators. And trust me the influx of alligators around here since March 2018 has been incredibly ENORMOUS!!! Thank you for all your prayers and concern! Prayer works and God is as ever GOOD and FAITHFUL!!! Please continue to keep me in your prayers as I enter this new phase of treatment because your prayers and well wishes have been keeping my tiny boat on the vast sea of life afloat. May God bless each and everyone of you. Love, Natalie
**Image via Pinterest
God is so good! ❤ Thanks for the update, dear Natalie. You are in my thoughts and prayers each day. xoxo
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YES HE IS!!!! Thanks sweet friend for the prayers! He’s listening❣️❣️❣️🥰❌⭕️
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Incredible news, amen!
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Thanks JM! Amen for sure❣️😘❌⭕️🥰
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Oh praise the Lord, this is exactly what I’ve been praying for. That you have a better outlook, more energy and the new Dr’s will be able to do more for you well being. ❤ ❤ ❤
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Thanks dear sweet V! He’s been listening!!! Love and huge hugs, N ❤️🥰❌⭕️❌⭕️❌⭕️❌⭕️
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So glad you are receiving such wise care and compassion, Natalie, and that you had the courage to seek it out . Your persistence and faith are inspiring. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
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Thanks so much Joan! ❤️❤️❤️❌⭕️🥰
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Such optimism is priceless. Very good news
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Thanks dear Derrick. Yes it is good news and such a marvelous blessing!
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❤️❤️❤️❌⭕️❌⭕️
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Very glad to hear the good news!
BT
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Thanks Brian❣️😊
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Oh Natalie this is such a wonderful thing to hear, see, read! ❤ ❤ ❤
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Thanks Jewels❤️❌⭕️
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Praise God! What fantastic news, dear Natalie! Will continue to pray that this new treatment is extraordinarily successful!! Love and hugs!!
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Amen! Thanks Lynn❣️😘🌹
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That’s really nice to hear, Natalie
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Thanks Wally❣️😊
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God is awesome bringing together family, a healing place, a doctor of wisdom and light and prayers to meet you in your strong faith. I am so happy for you ! and will continue to pray for your healing and strength. ❤ Thank you Jesus!
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Thanks so much dear JoAnna❣️😘🌹
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🙂 ❤
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😊
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This is wonderful news, Natalie!! You’re always in my prayers. God is so Good!!! 🙏❤️😘
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Great news, Natalie…I’m so happy to hear things are turning around for you and you have that hope that doesn’t disappoint us. Lots of love and light coming your way…xoxoxoxo
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Thanks so much Ally❤️😘❌⭕️❌⭕️❌⭕️❌⭕️
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Still thinking of you and praying. xoxoxoxo
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Thanks so much❣️😘❌⭕️❌⭕️
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Really pleased for you Natalie. Sounds like my Mum could do with a visit to your Dr Patel. Bit of a hike from the UK!
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Thanks so much dear David❣️Wish I could send Dr. Patel to see your mum❤️❌⭕️
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This is great news, Natalie. The word hope is now the word Confidence. I knew a second opinion was a choice as I stated many posts back. I’m pleased you liked the new doctor etc. Sending you healing and peace.
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Thanks so much dear Joseph!!! ❤️❌⭕️😘
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You’re welcome
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😊❤️
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How wonderful that God has given you this new doctor and medical staff and the change in treatment, and most of all a refreshed hope! God is so good!
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Thanks Tricia and amen. He is indeed good!!! ❤️❌⭕️
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Praise our Lord, Natalie!
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Amen and amen dear Susan❣️❌⭕️😘
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You know something? You are a very special person,and I was beginning to think your reply button was worn out! I am so glad to see that you are loved and appreciated by so many. I feel uplifted each time I see you for only a few moments so I can imagine how others feel about you. Have a good night, good sleep and a wonderful day tomorrow. Much Love, Marie
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Oh Marie thanks but I’m no more special than anyone else. And now more and more of me shrinks every day. This has been the hardest time of my life and many days I just can’t find a way to get my replies and other things done. I so hope and pray I get my life back someday or at least a good pory
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Portion of it! Love and hugs❤️❌⭕️
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The Lord needs our Light in Him to shine a little longer for others. So be it dear sister!
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Amen❣️😊
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Dear Natalie,
You can count on many prayers from me…I had no idea you were facing health issues…I obviously have not been present. I will cover you in love and healing white energy. Believe in your treatment and that the power of prayer and positive attitude will restore your health! I know you must be going through so much…emotional…physical…but I KNOW you are a strong woman with HUGE FAITH!! Rely on that now my friend…and prayers and best wishes for your hubby too…I know how devastating MD can be too.
<3<3
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Thank you Lorrie. 😊❤️
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May you have healing and comfort
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Thanks so much❤️❤️❤️❌⭕️
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Natalie, I keep you in my prayers and and am so pleased to know that you are continuing to be better. Sometimes I falter at understanding the pain some endure. One of my daughters and her daughter have both been diagnosed with MS. Please intercede for me and for them.
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That’s good news. I haven’t been reading my email lately so I didn’t know this. Patels are often good doctors.
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