Marshall has been super sick. I mean so sick that he doesn't have the energy to get on a computer. He received the new bone marrow cells on Friday, June 1st. I can't even explain the range of emotions that overwhelmed us on his special second birthday. We received the good news that his donor, who will remain anonymous from us for at least another year, produced 24 million cells. That is a lot! In one bone marrow transplant the receiver can only have 10 million cells transplanted. There is plenty more bone marrow to work with from the primary source if needed in the future.
The American Red Cross box arrived and we were ecstatic! Although bone marrow transplants can be a surgery by drilling into the marrow it was not in this case. In his case they were peripheral bone marrow cells so they went through his central line (this is the line that was surgically directed to a main valve by his heart when he was first diagnosed).
The procedure isn't very interesting for some (it is for me- maybe because I studied about it way too much), but what happens before and after is really rough! If you would like to know more, my mother-in-law found a good link here: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/understandingcancer/StemCells/AllPages
Marshall may be small, but he is tough. I coerced Mom Lucile and Melanie to do a little dance to cheer him up while Tori did the sign language for "Feelin' Good" by Michael Buble (one of Marshall's favorite artists).
Orange is the Leukemia ribbon color :).
Here are a few photos from transplant day. I would like to be able to one day show these to Marshall's donor so he knows what hope his selfless sacrifice gave to our little family.
That same day Kelly moved out (oh how we already miss her little munchkins' air fives, air hugs, and entertainment), Tori moved in and Kez got his first hair cut. The hair cut was an accident- Elizabeth did not know and called me saying, AH was this his first!? Yep I said, but at least he didn't fall down and cut his lip open or something. Here are some pictures before and after his hair cut. You know how people always make the before shots really bad? Like with weight loss programs or makeovers, etc.? That's what I did here. The first one he's looking away and has a little scratch on his head. Just using a little advertising trick to make the after look better :).
Tons of emotions and physical challenges occurring right now, but I would have to say I have had such a care free life up until now. Trials can be blessings and we have had so many of both that we are completely overwhelmed. Those who have stepped forward for us right now even when their lives aren't going perfectly as planned have been such an amazing strength. Thank you friends, family, and selfless people. We are humbled.
Marshall's new bone marrow will take at the very least 2 weeks to engraft. Maybe 4. Maybe 8. Until then he gets blood and platelet transfusions regularly. More gifts from selfless, anonymous, wonderful people. Then more complications with graft vs. host disease. Hopefully they are small and the leukemia does not come back for the next five years. Much love and gratitude from us to you for caring and sharing our journey with us! Hopefully Marshall feels well enough to post again soon since he's the real teller of his very real experience.
The procedure isn't very interesting for some (it is for me- maybe because I studied about it way too much), but what happens before and after is really rough! If you would like to know more, my mother-in-law found a good link here: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/understandingcancer/StemCells/AllPages
Marshall may be small, but he is tough. I coerced Mom Lucile and Melanie to do a little dance to cheer him up while Tori did the sign language for "Feelin' Good" by Michael Buble (one of Marshall's favorite artists).
Orange is the Leukemia ribbon color :).
Here are a few photos from transplant day. I would like to be able to one day show these to Marshall's donor so he knows what hope his selfless sacrifice gave to our little family.
That same day Kelly moved out (oh how we already miss her little munchkins' air fives, air hugs, and entertainment), Tori moved in and Kez got his first hair cut. The hair cut was an accident- Elizabeth did not know and called me saying, AH was this his first!? Yep I said, but at least he didn't fall down and cut his lip open or something. Here are some pictures before and after his hair cut. You know how people always make the before shots really bad? Like with weight loss programs or makeovers, etc.? That's what I did here. The first one he's looking away and has a little scratch on his head. Just using a little advertising trick to make the after look better :).
Tons of emotions and physical challenges occurring right now, but I would have to say I have had such a care free life up until now. Trials can be blessings and we have had so many of both that we are completely overwhelmed. Those who have stepped forward for us right now even when their lives aren't going perfectly as planned have been such an amazing strength. Thank you friends, family, and selfless people. We are humbled.
Marshall's new bone marrow will take at the very least 2 weeks to engraft. Maybe 4. Maybe 8. Until then he gets blood and platelet transfusions regularly. More gifts from selfless, anonymous, wonderful people. Then more complications with graft vs. host disease. Hopefully they are small and the leukemia does not come back for the next five years. Much love and gratitude from us to you for caring and sharing our journey with us! Hopefully Marshall feels well enough to post again soon since he's the real teller of his very real experience.
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