Our soldier needs prayer!

I must apologize for not posting to my blog in almost two months.  Believe me, I have wanted to but have been unable to do so because my vision is poor as well as many hospitalizations.  I will get back to this later.  What I want to talk about at this time is we have a soldier who really needs prayer.  Her name is Phyllis Thomas, who founded Sickle Cell Soldier Network.

A few years ago I met Phyllis at the American Red Cross luncheon where I was a guest speaker.  Although we didn't spend much time getting acquainted, we did exchange numbers and have been able to communicate on Facebook and Twitter.  She had this smile of destiny that focused on alternative methods to advocate for sickle cell awareness and a cure for sickle cell disease.  She founded "The Soldier Network" to fulfill these missions and has flown from California to Washington D.C. and in between building this network. Phyllis, as all Sickle Cell patients must do, has retreated to her inner sanctum in order to build strength to continue her journey.  She has been hospitalized for several months and needs our prayers.  So I ask all of you to keep her in your prayers.

Over the past several months I have been hospitalized due to Sickle Cell Crisis and End Stage Renal Disease complications with Peritoneal Dialysis.  My catheter had been repositioned twice due to an inability to drain properly.  This inability forced me to make decisions with regard to the ultimate goal of home dialysis. My hands were tied and after placement of a fistula in my arm to continue my dialysis treatment I had no choice other than hemo dialysis.  While hospitalized, my blood pressure dropped to dangerous lows and my heart rate was extremely elevated, which required me going into ICU.   With much prayer from family, friends and others my stay in ICU was a short one

Upon my release three weeks later, I have been going to in center dialysis. My strength has improved daily.  My hemoglobin, after several transfusions (while in the hospital) has improved because of the Epogen shots given to me weekly. Although I have not yet been able to walk long distances, my stability is better.  I am also able to shower and dress myself without much assistance, which I had not been able to do since the end of August.  By the grace of God I feel I am on the right track towards returning to my old self. 

I want to thank my wife Patrice for typing this blog.  Many prayers are going up for Phyllis.