18 Days Old

Today is Cindela's 18th day of life and she is feeling great! Mom has been resting at home since the transplant, while frequenting the OHSU clinic daily for blood work.

As of 2 days ago, the doctor's report showed her counts being practically NORMAL, meaning that Cindy's marrow is officially (and, so far, effectively) taking over. Another bone marrow biopsy is scheduled in 5 weeks, and then we will understand what is really happening inside that body of hers.

So, we are still praising our good God for the results thus far, and we will continue living "one day at a time" with much joy and gratitude.

XOXO
lindsay

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CINDELA!

As you all know, yesterday was THE BIG DAY! Pam meet Cindy...Cindy meet Pam...World meet Cindela. What a powerful experience this has been to watch from the sidelines. The night before the transplant we threw a birthday party for my mom and Cindy - the new birth of Cindela. ;) Here they are blowing out their "birthday" candles. What a celebration of new life and hope for the future!

The actual transplant process was quite fascinating. Aunt Cindy had to be hooked up to the "blood suckers" for 4 hours. She was hooked up to a machine that took her blood from one arm, separated the stem cells from her blood and then inserted that same blood back into her body through her other arm. Four hours later the nurses walked away from my sweet, weary aunt and toward my "mother in waiting" as they carried a bag ... small in size but big in hope.

The actual transplant was very simple (and pretty anti-climactic!). My aunt's stem cells dripped into my mom's PIC-line for a few hours and then .... CINDELA WAS BORN! Mom stayed overnight in the hospital and then was able to go home today. She feels great and is now resting at home. The next 20-30 days they will be monitoring her very closely and watching for Graft versus Host Disease.

Please be praying that my mom's body will accept my aunt's marrow...this is a very important and critical time! I will keep you posted as we know more....

All our love,

Lindsay & the Beall Gang