Day +1

Today is our first day with the bone marrow in Laura’s body.  Yesterday was such a moving experience for us.  We arrived at 11am but Laura did not start receiving the bone marrow until 3:30pm.  Pam was the woman who prepared the bone marrow.  She said it arrived in 5 bags which is amazing.  They usually don’t receive so much.  It has to thaw and then they process it since Laura’s blood type is different from the donor’s.  After they process five bags, they come up with a pint of marrow for Laura to receive.  She told us how GREAT the marrow was.  We were sitting there listening to Pam wondering how anyone could determine if marrow is ‘great’ or not.  We told her the donor was 38 years old and she said she thought he was much younger because the marrow looked so good.

Anyway, Laura started to receive it and we were sitting there feeling like something amazing is happening.  In light of all Laura is going through it’s such a small event.  It only lasted two hours and then we were out the door.  No fireworks, no fanfare, just a little bag quietly being given to Laura.  But we felt like a miracle was happening.  We both felt giddy inside and still was in awe of how this man could sacrifice himself for Laura.  We talked about how blood is so important for life to take place in us.  None of us can live without blood.  It’s essential for life.  It reminds us of how Jesus Christ shed blood for us.  His blood gives life to all and how essential it is for us to truly have life.  It is what saves us.  And He loved us while we hated Him, while we were His enemies.  He still died for us knowing that many would reject Him, despise Him and turn away.  So much filled our minds and our hearts as we sat there at that moment starting the bone marrow.  I wish you could have all been with us physically.  I know many of you responded saying you were praying, and we knew you were all present in spirit lifting us up.

Prior to Laura receiving the marrow, they do a countdown.  When she started chemo it was Day -7.  Yesterday was Day 0.  Now each day is Day +.  So this is the first day with bone marrow and that’s why I called this entry Day +1.

Laura just woke up and I’ve been spending the last half hour with her.  She has a lot of stomach and bowel pain so you could really pray that the pain could go away either by itself or by the doctors offering something to help.  Thank you so much!

Love,

Brad