The gift of a new chance at life...

We met with the Transplant Doctor today to talk about Elijah and the results of his 6 month bone marrow biopsy. But, before we even ever made it out of the house I was reminded of the little miracles that we have experienced these past months. Elijah hopped out of bed this morning excited to go to the clinic. When I said Good morning and asked him how he was feeling, he told me. He told me how he was feeling...it sounds so simple. Something so simple has been so difficult if not impossible for my sweet son challenged with autism. Not only did he communicate how he was feeling, he also asked a question about our day. "What friend is taking me to the clinic? Mommy friend or Daddy friend?" I could not have been more proud to be called a friend and a Momma to this amazing little boy.

And the news regarding Elijah's progress was yet another source of joy. Elijah continues to have 100% donor cells in his bone marrow. He most likely has RSV but his new immune system has been able to handle the assault of this potentially difficult virus. That gives me such hope that his transplant has worked! Most all of his blood work looked really good. His white blood cell count is still low as well as his platelets and hemoglobin with no clear reason why. But, we are choosing to reflect on the all that is going well for Elijah...truly he has been given a new chance at life! With 6 months having gone by, I can dare again to dream of the future we will have with Elijah..we are so blessed.

I didn't often dream of what Elijah would be like as a teenager or an adult. I guess it was fear that held me back from imagining the future...Elijah has grown so much these last months in ways we never expected.  The relationship that we share has grown deeper and brighter...he has opened up and shared his fears, his joys and his wonderful, amazing sense of humor. While before I could only speculate what Elijah was thinking and feeling, now I know.

Elijah has been given a new chance at life...and we have been given a window into the heart and soul of our son...

Life will never be the same..each of us have been changed by the love God has poured out upon us...we have been touched by the miracle God chose to perform in Elijah's body and mind...and we are truly blessed..