"Worry is a misuse...

I must apply this to my life more often....

Taking pills

KJ has been working on taking his medicines in pill form. He also gives himself his own eye drops daily. The doctors and nurses are just amazed:)!

Almost had a heart attack..

Mr. Independent KJ takes off for the playroom without me and falls bringing the entire double IV poll down on him. After a few tears, a 15 minute blood palette transfusion and a few extra lumps on his bald head KJ is fine. The nurse says to him "is their anything else you need?" KJ replies "yes, can you get my mommy a glass of wine." SMH .. He knows he almost gave me a heart attack!

Thank you to St. Jude

On Saturday, November 23rd I walked with St. Jude & friends in honor of KJ.  Thanks to the research and treatments in childhood cancers, blood disorders and sickle cell disease my son along with many others have a chance to live a better quality of life.  People in 75 cities nationwide walked for the St. Jude Give Thanks Walk campaign.  Hearing the stories of other families going through similar situations, some had stories of triumph and others shared stories of pain of losing their loved ones.  Needless to say it was a very emotional day as KJ is going into the hospital the following day to begin his bone marrow transplant...

Myself and Joelle Allen

Transplant Day - Part 2 It's Time! The Stem Cells are here!!

Day Zero

Its a Celebration!! 

A new Birthday for KJ 12/5/2013!!  

It will be 3 to 4 hours before bone marrow stem cells are processed and delivered.  Meanwhile many of our family members are here playing, eating, telling stories and laughing!! I am happy everyone is here, but I'm also exhausted and emotionally drained. I look for a quiet place to sit, reflect and take it all in.  No luck.  All I want to do is curl up into my hubby's chest and wait for the 'liquid gold' to be delivered.

OMG! Its time! The stem cells have arrived!! I scream, I cry, I dance and I jump around!! 

Transplant day is usually referred to as 'Day Zero'.  What is Transplant?

Honestly, the process itself is pretty boring. Transplant is not a surgery, instead bone marrow is collected, processed and stored in a blood bag, similar to blood bag for transfusions. Then healthy new blood cells are infused into your body through intravenous (IV) line or in this case through the broviac line. The transplant team watches closely as they explain what to expect and how long it will take.  

Liquid Gold!!
Beautiful Bone Marrow Stem Cells!!

KJ falls asleep during transplant!

Two Thumbs up!
Transplant was a success!!