Day 9

From Johanna… We’re 9 days post transplant..YEAH! I would say Ethan is doing very well. The docs think so as well. Nothing huge to report..we pass the days with games, books and a lot of drawing…Ethan’s new favorite past-time. He watches himself progress daily with his artwork, and loves learning to draw new things. He uses a few drawing books for instruction (as I have no artistic abilities!)…he’s filling up his sketchbook and is proud of his work.

We’re waiting for “Engraftment”, when Eliot’s bone marrow starts producing blood cells in Ethan’s body. This usually comes around Day 14 – Day 21. Yesterday, Ethan’s ANC bottomed out at zero. Engraftment is when his ANC > 500 for 3 days in a row. It’s a waiting game now!

Em and Eliot are with Grandma and Papa for a few weeks, away from home, at the Cape and Dansville. While school is starting this week and next week for many kids, we have made the decision to sit this year out. While Ethan will be doing Kindergarten at home, it made most sense for Emma to be home too. I will home school Emma and Ethan for this coming year. We have a lot of together time to catch up on, and by Em staying out of school, exposure to germs/colds/viruses is cut down by a GINORMOUS amount. It will be great for Eliot too, as he will get a jump start on Kindergarten a couple years early! We’re really happy and comfortable with this decision, and know it’s the right thing for us this year.

Emma is actually pretty excited about this decision. She has a friend that was home schooled, and knows that she enjoyed it. Keeping Emma out of school doesn’t mean that she can’t see her friends or do anything. She’ll be able to go to friends’ houses to play, the two of us can go out on the weekends together, etc. But keeping her away from 25 kids in one room every day will make us feel a lot more comfortable.

Daddy gets re-tested today to make sure the Salmonella is gone. He will hopefully be in on Friday for the first time in many weeks! We’re all excited about that! While I don’t think I could be away from here for the night (especially since the other kids aren’t home), I might go home for a few hours during the day to get some stuff done. Daddy and Ethan have a lot of catching up to do!

We miss everyone…we’re anxious to get home again. We haven’t been in touch with many people, as we’re just focusing on getting through the next few weeks here. Thank you for everything you’ve done, and continue to do. The thoughts and prayers that come from you are what are getting us through this. Thank you…