Washing the sand out of my hair

Evening on the beach

Evan and I (CJ) spent 24+ hours at the beach yesterday.  We joined Darcy and her friends on their annual overnight to Rehobeth Beach. We all had a blast in the waves, on the rides at Funland, on the boardwalk, and just being in Delaware (my home state.) I hadn't realized how much I needed a break!  I always love the beach and I especially love that out of control feeling when a wave tosses you all around.  This morning I still had sand in my hair.  I need to remember that I like this feeling when I feel tossed around by all this cancer stuff!
We are getting closer to some clarity around the choice of a donor so thanks to everyone for prayer about that!  I also just realized that even some of our closest friends don't know all that the upcoming bone marrow transplant will entail.  Assuming we go forward, Andrew and his caregiver (mostly me but also his mother) will need to be living in Baltimore adjacent to the hospital for 6-8 weeks.   Much of this time (hopefully), Andrew will be IPOP - Inpatient/Outpatient Care Continuum.  This means that if he is healthy enough he will be sleeping in our temporary housing and not in the hospital.  We are to be "partners [with the medical team] in IPOP."  This is definitely an ideal situation as we'll be together as Andrew recovers.  But I would like to remind everyone that I did not go to nursing school and that AJ & I both get queasy at the thought of caring for a long term catheter!!  My parents will come and stay with our kids in Falls Church, but even with their great parenting expertise, this will be a stressful time all around.  I'll want to be two places at once and Andrew will want only to be healed. 
But honestly, we are not thinking that far ahead for now.  AJ is feeling good (his cold is gone) and work is busy.  We've had more fun visitors to distract us.  The next big "event" is Andrew's upcoming pet scan on August 9th when we'll learn if he is ready to proceed with the transplant.  Don't worry, when we do start planning ahead, we'll be sure to let you know how you can help.  Many of you continue to do so daily without our prompting and Andrew & I remain immensely grateful.