This week is the week. The week Marshall starts full body irradiation therapy daily before his transplant. The week that starts the chain of events leading to a new immune system, a second birthday for him, and the potential for acute or chronic graft vs. host disease. Also in it holds the potential for living instead of dying.
I feel like no one should have to face the number of life verse death decisions we have had to so far and no one should have to face the serious number of "turn-of-event" situations that we have accrued. But underneath it all I also know that we can handle so much more than we ever could have without this experience. That the Lord has guided us through and taught us (especially me) every step of the way.
No matter what the outcome, we are stronger, we are better equipped to handle the "hard stuff" of life. So I am thankful for all the tears that have been shed and will be shed, the prayers that have been given and will be given, for the service rendered for our family and those who have served our family and will continuously serve, and those who have given and will give to the cause.
I admit I didn't want the transplant all along. It's the harsher of the choice we had. I am putting full trust in the Lord. I know people who have been praying for our medical staff and a very strong blessing that Marshall received before this all began that the medical professionals would be inspired. We heard many times that they had a 'hunch' or a 'I don't know why because you are following the protocol and I shouldn't pull you off, but I feel like you should do a transplant'. I am putting my complete faith in Him and He knows what to do. What an opportunity for growth and living outside our comfort zone that we have been given. Happy last Sunday home for awhile to Marshall! I will miss him while I go to church with Kezman without him!
My sweet baby boy started walking the night before my birthday. Coolest birthday present ever, but it also makes church hard because he doesn't want to sit in my lap- he's too independent.
We have had tried to have a lot of fun this past month knowing that the time would come that the majority of our time together will be stuck in a small hospital room and wing (Marshall's not even allowed to leave the east wing for the west wing on the 8th floor) while trying to keep his distance from people as well. We will soon be hermits so humor me while I hit the replay button on a few other memorable moments this past month.
We celebrated my 27th birthday by going to a sweet Jazz game that got them into the play-offs (great for how young they are). Marshall and I are pretty good for such a young team too :). (Except we better WIN at playoffs!) He actually was growing back a good amount of hair by then, but he wanted to shave it into a "J". When he said he was going to shave it off before church the next day I innocently asked why. I thought he was doing it to stand for Jensen. I didn't even make the connection to Jazz until Corey outlined it in Jazz colors. Then our great friend Cyndi stopped by and said, "Just keep it on-- tomorrow it can stand for Jesus!" Love her- she brings a lot of laughter to life. We went to the game with Tori and a guy and our friends who in their true Corey-and-Brett fashion snuck in celery and a whole jar of peanut butter. BAHA! Celery dipped in pb never tasted soooo goooood! I lost my voice from screaming- gr8 game!
My youngest brother Karl is going on a mission to Kobe, Japan! My family stopped by when they dropped him off at the MTC. I sooo wish they lived closer on the hard days. So, one of my dreams came true to watch all three little brothers serve. When I went on a mission years ago I hoped they would follow in my footsteps. I know it is not because of me they chose to go- they each have had their own conversion experiences, but I'm so glad they all made it!!
The last few days it has been great to see a good friend from my freshman year of college, Goelz and his beautiful family and my wonderful room mates from the Riviera days.
Goelz' son is such a good big brother!
And smores with the nieces and nephews! They watched the show Sandlot so we ate them in the order Marshall said. First you take the grahm. You put the chocolate on the grahm. Then you roast the mallow. When the mallow's good and flamin', (insert blow here), you put the mallow on the grahm. Then you scarf. Marshall loves "mallow"s! He was so chunky when he was little that they called him Marshmallow; except Abby kept calling them "mellows" :)
Kez's first smore
Bundles of joy! Thanks for lending them to us for a while Jordan!!
I feel like no one should have to face the number of life verse death decisions we have had to so far and no one should have to face the serious number of "turn-of-event" situations that we have accrued. But underneath it all I also know that we can handle so much more than we ever could have without this experience. That the Lord has guided us through and taught us (especially me) every step of the way.
No matter what the outcome, we are stronger, we are better equipped to handle the "hard stuff" of life. So I am thankful for all the tears that have been shed and will be shed, the prayers that have been given and will be given, for the service rendered for our family and those who have served our family and will continuously serve, and those who have given and will give to the cause.
I admit I didn't want the transplant all along. It's the harsher of the choice we had. I am putting full trust in the Lord. I know people who have been praying for our medical staff and a very strong blessing that Marshall received before this all began that the medical professionals would be inspired. We heard many times that they had a 'hunch' or a 'I don't know why because you are following the protocol and I shouldn't pull you off, but I feel like you should do a transplant'. I am putting my complete faith in Him and He knows what to do. What an opportunity for growth and living outside our comfort zone that we have been given. Happy last Sunday home for awhile to Marshall! I will miss him while I go to church with Kezman without him!
We have had tried to have a lot of fun this past month knowing that the time would come that the majority of our time together will be stuck in a small hospital room and wing (Marshall's not even allowed to leave the east wing for the west wing on the 8th floor) while trying to keep his distance from people as well. We will soon be hermits so humor me while I hit the replay button on a few other memorable moments this past month.
The last few days it has been great to see a good friend from my freshman year of college, Goelz and his beautiful family and my wonderful room mates from the Riviera days.
Goelz' son is such a good big brother!
Kez's first smore
Bundles of joy! Thanks for lending them to us for a while Jordan!!
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