26th Mile @ Day 84

(I feel like this "Adventure" has been longer than a marathon but the analogy will work...)

We are finally at the 26th mile of transplant-athon. I am really tired but the end of the worst is in sight! We will by no means be done with this health challenge when we get back to Spokane but I feel like the scariest and most difficult part will be behind us. (and there is HELP in Spokane!)

Things I'll miss about Seattle:
Not much.....
but mostly the team of amazing individuals that have given their minds and years of time in service to others. Without minds like theirs and their dedication, the advances in science that saved my husbands life would not be possible. Without their dedicated years of study we would not be able to rely on them for their expert opinions of how to fix each challenge with Mark's body. I am thankful to our team here and the Fred Hutch Cancer Research Center.

I will miss having such high quality care minutes away. It is very comforting. We will be in good hands when we get home but it's just not the same.

I will miss the beauty of bridges, water, trees and architecture of this part of the city. But not the traffic, concrete, construction, parking and noise - so it is really a wash.

I will miss the Hutch school. Elijah has had the most amazing experience. The staff and teachers there are really great.


Things about home - that are literally filling my dreams:
My garage parking, a dining room table WITHOUT carpet underneath it, large dishwasher, kitchen counter space, my washer and dryer, gas stove top, my sharp knives and nice pots and pans - oh yeah, more than one bathroom.... oh the things we take for granted.

My boys having their own rooms and somewhere to "go" like the playroom to make noise and be "boys" - not always at my side.

My wonderful king sized bed, bathtub and a shower with doors instead of a curtain.... I hate curtains, eww!

Drive-thrus - yes drive thru coffee and food.... there are Seriously NO drive-thrus here and with NO where to park.... it is NO fun!!

I am looking forward to my beautiful backyard view of the snowy forest. oh and snow instead of rain. If it is not sunny... it better be snowy! That's my rule. Enough of this gray + rain.

Seeing our friends and family. Talking to people I love in person rather than by text and phone.

Getting back to our wonderfully supportive small group.

Worshiping my God in my home church!

I miss work, the actual creative work and the people.

....IT IS A LONG LIST.... 14 days people... 14 days.


Things on the Schedule
We have our official schedule of final appointments - we will be BUSY these last 2 weeks. The clinic is open every day ... even Christmas. There is lots of things to check out on Mark and make sure we are indeed ready to go home. My parents are going to come for Christmas eve and Christmas day. Then take the boys home on the 26th. Mark and I will pack up, finish up appointments and catch up to them by the 28th or 29th!! I CAN'T WAIT!


Things Mark will be doing at home
Mark needs to build back literally all of his muscle mass. Lots of physical therapy and conditioning. His heart needs to be worked out as much as any other muscle. There are still IVs each day, lots of medication and at least weekly blood draws. He will need to continue to work on balance, endurance, mental stamina, concentration and memory. Tapering off many, many drugs while watching for any early signs of chronic GVHD and seeking treatment quickly. All challenges I know we can overcome... lots of work and perseverance. We have finished one LARGE part of our adventure here in Seattle but I am trying to remind myself to stay motivated for the challenge back home. I am determined to keep cheering Mark on, managing his care the best I can, pushing Dr.'s for answers and best treatments and enforcing the "rules" to insure we BEAT THE ODDS. I don't like anything about Leukemia odds especially the ones that Mark and I face but we are doing all we can to insure we beat them!! Including PRAYING hard!

Keep praying, keep encouraging... we are going to beat this thing together. The Lord has seen us through this far, I know that He will continue!


Things that bring me to tears when I think about them too long:
Our amazing financial donors.... without you guys this whole thing wouldn't have been possible! We feel so blessed! I don't know if there will ever be enough words or ways to thank all of you!!

The generous 44 year old British man that donated the life saving stem cells to Mark. I tear up each time I think of his gift of life. If you are not a donor and are able.... SIGN UP TODAY!! You have NO idea how much impact your donation could have.

How well my beautiful boys have done with all the change and uncertainty. How they have transitioned and overcome. I love them so much.

How many people have been praying for us each day. God is Good - All the time!! We love you all and so appreciate your support.


Things the Lord has been showing me
That I am strong enough. That His spirit is always with us, and if we ask for Help - help will come. Not always in the form we would like but help comes.

That the gift of Jesus as a baby at Christmas was just not salvation coming to earth but a man coming as an example. An example of the way to live, the way to love others and to love God. If we live as He lived we will be able to overcome any challenge this world brings to our door. Not only will we overcome but we can live in joy and in peace with His spirit abiding in us.

That my life is not about me. As much as I want it to be - it is not! It is about how I treat others and how I serve my Lord in all I do. It is about where the glory goes... not to me but to Christ.

That the joy and love of Christmas can come to all who believe - no matter the circumstances.

He has been showing me that my family is loved. That we matter. That we are here for a purpose and that he is molding us and bringing us closer to Him each day.

These things are not always easy to see or recognize but the Lord is there and He is working!