Day Negative 1: Tomorrow it really begins...

Druid Hill Park

Well, not that it hasn't begun already.  But tomorrow Andrew undergoes Total Body Irradiation (TBI - easy to confuse with TMI).  Ross, Andrew's brother and donor, arrives for tests.  And by the evening, Andrew's other two brothers, Regg & Gordon, and his mom will be here.  The TBI will deal the final blow to Andrew's immune system, weakening it just enough so that when Ross's stem cells enter AJ on Tuesday afternoon, his immune system won't have a chance. Personally, I (CJ) was a little concerned that his blood counts at this point aren't all that low.  I know Andrew is a fighter, but we need his immune system to take a whack before Ross's enters the picture.  The doctor has told us not to worry, that there is always a "lag" in the numbers we see on AJ's daily bloodwork report.  And Andrew assures me that there is no way he will stand up to the brother who used to sit on him with a large beanbag when they were young. (Ross is a fighter, too!)

Andrew at Fells Point

Because Andrew has been able to get out and about, we've taken advantage of both this fabulous weather and some great things Baltimore has to offer.  Saturday, we took a forest bath in Baltimore's largest city park discussing world events (not chemo! yeah!).  And today (Sunday), when Andrew awoke craving pancakes, we ventured to historic Fells Point for breakfast. It was a real gift to have a few moments that felt like a weekend!

So, prayers going forward?  Please pray that Andrew tolerates the TBI as well as he can.  We expect fatigue and nausea but it would be nice if these were not too debilitating.  Also, with Andrew's family, it will be tight quarters in patient housing where we are staying. Pray that all of them are 100% healthy.  It will be a real boost for Andrew (& me) to see them and we don't want to have to limit contact!  Finally, pray that Tuesday everything goes smoothly for the actual transplant - that Ross isn't in too much pain post- "harvesting" and that his stem cells enter AJ without a hitch.  Thanks.

We know this is long, but one final thing: this morning Andrew wrote the names of everyone who has reached out and supported or encouraged us in some way.  He wrote nearly 100 names!  And those didn't include many I've heard from!  Incredible.  It made us think of Galatians 6:2 where Paul urges members of the church there to carry each other's burdens.  We are totally overwhelmed with gratitude by how so many in our community and beyond are doing just that.