Adventure awaits!

Christina talked to Doctor Maloney's nurse (at the SCCA) on Friday. Although my PET scan showed that the insidious invading lymphoma is not in complete remission, they aren't sure that more chemotherapy will completely eradicate it. While that sounds slightly ominous, it does mean that we are going to begin the bone marrow/stem cell transplant treatment. So, we're off to Seattle on Wednesday. As part of the conditioning treatment, I'll get more chemotherapy plus radiation to kill off any remaining lymphoma and prepare me to receive donor cells from my brother.

Speaking of brothers, I am fortunate to have five. As well as five sisters. We found out about two weeks ago that they had finished HLA typing my siblings and it turns out that I have 4 matching siblings, not just my youngest brother Jarom. And since Jarom is only 16, my doctors would like to use my brother Jared as a donor in his stead. All of us siblings are really close and I'm so grateful to all of them for being willing to save my life- Jarom is awesome and I hope he knows I'd be proud to have some of his cells running through my veins! Jared is a great man and I'm hoping that some of his greatness comes to me through his blood :)

I am grateful to all of you for your friendship and love. Going through this has been a truly humbling experience.  I had no idea that so many people would show so much love to me and my family. I get choked up when I talk about it.  Thank you so much, it really does mean the world to me.

YOU ARE ALL MY HEROES!

Thank you to my colleagues at PNNL for being there for me and for generously organizing a fund drive to help my family. When I heard that a goal of 10,000 had been set, I thought it was wishful thinking.  I had no idea people would be so generous to me and my family.

Thank you to my church family for organizing a garage sale for our family. In my mind, I thought a yard sale would turn up maybe 2 or 3 thousand dollars for us. I'm still trying to understand how 11,000 were raised. I'm grateful that finances are not the first thing on my mind right now.

Thank you to everyone who has written a note, stopped by to visit, do some yard-work, prepared meals for our daunting crew or even liked a Facebook post. All of the encouragement really adds up!  I want you to know that I truly care about you as well!

Thank you for your prayers, they are almost tangible in my life right now. I know that Heavenly Father is watching over my family. I know that he loves us all and wants us to be happy. I feel like most of my life I've stumbled through a dark forest, seeing a little bit of His light through the trees to guide my way. Right now I feel like I've reached a little clearing where the light is stronger. I'm grateful for that light, it makes this challenge bearable. Sometimes it's hard to have faith because there are so many opportunities for doubt. I've felt that way before, but I've managed to stay on the path and now I'm now enjoying a beautiful vista. In the future my path may not always be as well lit, but I'm grateful for this experience in the sun, it has renewed me.

Farewell for now.  I'll keep posting while in Seattle and let you know of the gruesome horrors they put me through in the name of healing me. I look forward to coming back to you all after a successful procedure.