We woke up to a rainy morning. Not every day can be sunny. And I suppose human emotions are similar. We all have days when we feel burdened and worried. Frank was having one of those days. Of course, everyone reading this knows Frank doesn't feel that way very often. He stopped taking his pain medicine a few days ago. He said he wanted a "true" reading of how his body was feeling without the help of medicine. Unfortunately he's had some pain, and had some discomfort getting through some simple tasks. He's also been so worried about the insurance approval.

Psalm 120:1 In my distress I cried to the Lord, and He heard me.

Deena, our APN, came in to talk to us. The morning couldn't have been any sweeter. We were in the last room at the end of the hall. We didn't share a room with anyone today, and it was quiet. Frank shared his thoughts with Deena, and she was the one sent to minister to Frank today. She reminded him all his thoughts were just part of being human. It's important to feel and think on many different levels from time to time. But we deal with our thoughts and keep our faith and the goal is not to stay down for long. She was so encouraging as she told him how special he was to her and the entire staff. He is a role model to so many because of his attitude and disposition. My synopsis doesn't do her sweet words justice. She spoke the perfect words for Frank to hear. Deena is from India and it's taken years to fully understand her accent at the rapid speed at which she talks sometimes. But she is a believer and we love sharing stories of faith and love for the Lord. She said the first candle she lit at church Sunday was for Frank, and she called to have her father light one in India for him. The staff says Frank is her baby, and she confessed. The affection is mutual!

While we were waiting on the cells to arrive, we got a call from the insurance lady with UAMS. I could tell from the large sigh released by Frank that it was good news. Humana has approved the transplant! Frank and I just prayed right then to thank God for his continued goodness.
Well, they did arrive, and here is Frank about to get his 6th bag of stem cells. Amazing isn't it? I remember when he collected all those cells ~ on April 10th, 2003. Chandler's 11th birthday. We prayed God would be merciful and allow him get all the cells he would need. And He did! We found out today he has 2 bags left instead of one. (11+ million) We were told at the last transplant that he only had one bag left. I don't know how you miscount something like that. I imagined myself searching through my refrigerator and finding the pickles I wasn't sure we had! "Oh, here there are! Yeah" ~ "Oh look... another bag for Mr. Carlton. Cool!" I don't know who is right... but let's go with 2 bags left! If they counted them, they must be there.

As we got up to leave the hospital today, Frank said the link between mind and body is indeed a mystery. He said with the good - no, great - news today, he was feeling better! I am so so glad for my sweetie. I am proud to be his wife.

Thank you for praying for Frank and for all the details that surround his care. May you be blessed!

Ephesians 3: 14-21
For this reason, I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith;
that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height - to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.