The difference a year makes: BMT 1 year out!

 July 29th, 2011...The Bone Marrow Transplant as it occurred..Elijah sound asleep during the process.

 Our precious boy so fragile and sick...

90 Days in the hospital. 

80 days of fevers.

  Infections. 

Nausea.

Surgeries.

Scans.

 Mouth Sores. 

Pain.

Anxiety.

TPN feedings. 

Isolation. 

Bone Marrow Biopsies.

Transfusions.

Perplexed Doctors. 

25 medications.

Central line for 1 year.

6 months of living next to the hospital.

9 siblings dealing with the stress of a family separated.

 3 more readmissions for infections and surgeries.

New friends made.

Amazingly gifted medical staff caring for Elijah.

Unbelievable changes seen in Elijah's ability to handle medical procedures. Miraculous changes.

Countless friends reaching out.

Our every need cared for. 

Strangers touched by Elijah's story. 

A family drawn together through the struggles.

God's provision evident every step of the way.

God's love shown to us at every turn.

Faith strengthened.

Life changed.

Forever.

NOW:

100% percent donor marrow.

Successful transplant!

Only 7 medications (before transplant 

he had twice as many, 

during transplant quadruple that amount).

No more GCSF shots every other day.

Getting ready to go to school for the first time..

A happy, healthy 6 year old boy..

A God that was there through it all..comforting him..calming us through the unknowns..the uncertainties...

What a difference a year makes...what a difference God makes..

Elijah is a new little boy. We didn't fully realize how sick Elijah had felt through his whole life because sickness was all that he had known. Now, we see him free from so much of that pain.

 He smiles more. 

He laughs more. 

He hugs more. 

He interacts more. 

He plays more. 

He loves to climb trees...who knew? 

 A special organization called "Icing Smiles" made a dream cake for him as we gathered some special people together to celebrate his one year anniversary of transplant. He loves elevators and Caillou and so that is what she made for his cake.

 Elijah is still immune deficient. In many ways, we must think of him as a newborn. He is beginning his immunization series again as the transplant process wipes out all immunity. We need to be cautious of infections and be careful with his exposure to illness. His platelet count (89,00000), white blood count (4), and hemoglobin (9) are all  low...but that is not unexpected due the infections he has had over the past year. There are a few blood levels that the doctors will be watching closely, but overall...the transplant has given Elijah a new chance at life..it was a success. I say the words and then I pinch myself. It was a success..I so wanted that that I have had a hard time believing that it is for real and not just in my head. It has given us our sweet Elijah back to us...

Elijah is healthy. He still has a g-tube. He still has severe pancreatic insufficiency. He still has chronic lung issues. He still has autism. But he can live with these conditions. He couldn't live with bone marrow failure. So all those issues seem like nothing to us...because God has given Elijah a new start at life..and Elijah is enjoying every moment of it!

Thank you for your prayers, your meals, your cards, your support...you have been a part of this miracle and we are forever grateful.