July 2, 2004

My Dear Friends in Christ,
 
    "Wait on the Lord; be of good courage; and He will strengthen your heart." (Ps 27)  For the past two months this prayer has been my daily prayer and source of abiding hope and confidence.  When pain or discomfort were unbearable; when the weakness of my muscles and body were sources of disappointment; when the boredom, tedium, and frustration of the recuperation process closed in on me; when any other temptation to anxiety or worry threatened to lead me away from full confidence in the Lord's healing and peace-giving presence I would repeat the words of this prayer.  Never has the Lord failed me!  Thanks be to God!!
 
    Yesterday, July 1st, marked another milepost in this journey of healing and return to you.  Quite to my surprise my doctor came in and informed me that if my blood counts had made as much improvement over night as they had the previous couple of days he was going to release me to the "outpatient care" portion of my stay at Johns Hopkins.  An hour later I found out they had and he did and I made all the preparations necessary to come to our little "cottage" on the grounds of this wonderful little retirement community for priests.  It is from here that I write you.  Let me fill you in on what's happened and what lies ahead (as if we ever know!)
 
    On June 9th I began my treatments here at JHU.  I had a catheter implanted in my chest to facilitate reception of all the "meds", fluids, and chemo that I would receive over the coming 6-12 mos.  That afternoon I was checked in an began an eight day regimen of chemotherapy.  Much to the doctors and nurses surprise I went through it without any apparent side effects. I wasn't surprised because I knew how many prayers were being offered for just this situation (one of the parishioners e-mailed me to let me know that she was just praying that "tomorrow would be one of freedom from pain and a day that saw me getting stronger).  Those wonderful prayers are working.
 
    As you well know, Friday, June 18th, I received my Bone Marrow Transplant.  Again, the whole process went off without a hitch.  Terry had a measure of her bone marrow removed, they did whatever it is that they do to it, and came to my room about an hour later with two bags that looked for all the world like "pink lemonade".  As future days would reveal it was a lot more refreshing!  :-O  In all this my wonderful sister Terry was the real hero (along with my sisters Cathy and Steph who have been  at my side throughout).  It's a painful procedure but she came through it with flying colors.  Thanks, Ter!
 
    And thanks to all of you.  When I was informed of the Eucharistic Adoration that took place that day and night I knew that I had nothing about which I needed worry.  And I haven't.  My release took place fully a week earlier than expected - so strongly had my blood counts started to build.  I will now make daily trips to the outpatient section of the BMT floor for the drawing of blood, evaluating of meds, and just generally keeping an eye on my progress.  This will go on for 4-6 weeks at which time they'll likely give me a few days off and week for the next 4-6 weeks and then...well, let's not get ahead of ourselves.
 
    Folks, I'm doing great (my doctor took to referring to me as "superstar" - in my humility I demured). However, I'm not out of the woods yet.  Please don't lessen the prayers you're offering. Continue to storm heaven's gate.  I miss you.  I pray for you.  I long to return to you.  Throw all your support behind Fr. Tagg and Fr. Dennis whom the Lord sends to serve you.  "Trust in the Lord; be of good courage; and He will strengthen your heart."
 
In all of Christ's Peace and Love
Fr. Rick