We're on our way...

...On our way to Arkansas. What a ride that was, and I don't mean the ride (drive) from Cincinnati to Little Rock. That was the easiest part of the whole trip. We were so excited because we knew that God was in our decision to let the doctors at UAMS (University of Arkansas Medical Sciences) be used of Him to help heal Alan. But that excitement quickly became a full-time job for me and a full-time time of illness worse than ever experienced for Alan. We were blessed in so many ways. We knew hundreds and maybe thousands of people were praying for Alan (the Internet was taking off at that time); we both had a very positive attitude; we knew God was with us (that was never a doubt, never, ever); and we knew that even though the road was rough it would one day be smooth as silk. Those silk worms are still working on that road, but it's almost finished. We arrived in Little Rock late in the afternoon on a Sunday in June, and checked into our hotel. It was a hotel recommended by UAMS and it was wonderful for us because the owners were Christians and their faith was evident in all they said and did; they had free van service to and from UAMS 24/7 which was great because it saved us gas money; and they got us going and commiserated with us when we got back "home." "Home" being the hotel or one of their long-term apartment rentals -- that was to come. We were to be in Arkansas for 8 days. Yeah, right. We arrived at UAMS at 8:00 a.m. as we were told in order to get our "orders" just like in the Army. Then we ran to our first appointment which was set for 8:15 and was across campus, quite a trek for us. Alan was mobile as was I at that time, although my knees were beginning to fail quickly. When we got to the first appointment (a bone marrow biopsy - BMB) we waited and waited until it was almost time for our second appointment. Good thing we had a cellular phone at the time so I could let the next appointment know we were going to be late. I'm only going to tell you about the BMB this time because it's a very difficult thing that Alan (and I by sympathy) had to endure. In a BMB they screw a drill bit into your hip bone, pull it out, then put in a long needle into that hole, and extract a bit of bone marrow. Alan still has scars from this procedure. The difference between UAMS and our Dr. in Cincinnati was that in Cincinnati he was numbed on the outside, and given a drug to make him really drowsy, and since I was in the room for the first BMB in Cincinnati, I know that he slept through the procedure. Dr. Cody was wonderful about it. In Arkansas they do so many BMBs that it's like an assembly line. They put the patient on one of terribly skinny bed-like things that are in doctor's offices, they actually tie the patient onto the "bed" while the patient lies on his stomach, then they do their work. The first time they did this, we were expecting something to ease the pain, but they gave him nothing -- no numbing no pills to relax him, nothing. The pain must have been awful because I could hear him all the way out in the waiting room. He fainted, they said, at least twice. Poor man. He looked awful when they pushed him back into the waiting room. I "borrowed" their wheelchair and quickly pushed us over to where they were going to take his blood. NEXT TIME. The biggest plus of their system, I have to say, is that the doctors have all the information they need 24 hours after the test. No waiting for the results, and if necessary, the doctor can get the results in less time than that, i.e., it's an emergency. So, next time, I'll continue the beginning of Alan's bout with MM. This next stop is where the tears and frustration really began to build up in me. Alan just went along for the ride. ttfn