Hi Dave and Irene –

My husband is an A/G minister in Fallon, Nevada, and we are on a minister’s e-mail discussion group where your friend Frank Johnson requested prayer for you.  As I looked over your website, I noticed that you had some information from Dr. Lloyd Damon at UCSF
I was a patient at UCSF 12 years ago with AML – Acute Mylogenous Leukemia.

Dr. Lloyd Damon was one of my doctors!  (Dr. Charles Linker was my “main” doctor, but Dr. Damon was one of the team of four doctors who I would see from time to time as they rotated schedules.  Dr. Damon & Dr. Linker and Dr. Rugo and Dr. Reis were my team. I also, like you, Irene, had an autologous stem cell transplant, and Dr. Damon was the Dr. who actually “performed” the transplant!  When I saw the photos of Christine bathing and defrosting the stem cells, I jumped in surprise – I have some photos in my album almost identical to those!

I just want to encourage you that you are in good hands — of course, you are in the Lord’s Hands first, but after that, I have no question but that God directed you to a great team of people.  The staff at UCSF, 11Long became like family to us 12 years ago. I spent 100 days out of a six month period on that floor.  (Isn’t the Solarium restful?)  They are a great team and will take good care of you.

I’d be thrilled to talk to you if you would like.  You have traveled a hard road – I don’t need to tell you that – it has not been fun.  The next week or two will not be much fun either, but there’s a light at the end of this tunnel, and that “end of the tunnel” is getting closer every day.  But you have a great support team to work with.

Your family, your Christian friends and family, and your hospital family will help to carry the heavy load you must bear.  Allow them to do so—whether it’s praying, sending cards and letters, mowing the lawn, doing the laundry, or cleaning the house.  That was a hard thing for me to accept, but I learned that it was important – for me and for them.

My prayers are with you as you move forward in this process.

Your new friend,

Linda Bridges