We were able to go home for a few weekends and have brought the kids up to stay with us. The first week we brought Megan and Norah and were able to take them to the aquarium. This week we have Emma, Merian, and Eliza with us. It is so fun to have the kids here. I'm glad we have been able to do this before school and Nathan's transplant starts. We need to find a way to get the boys up next! Once Nathan starts the transplant process we will have to stay within 20 minutes of the hospital. When Nathan was in the hospital for a week of chemo he said it felt kind of like being in a nice prison.

It always feels surreal going back and forth between home and Seattle. Where ever we are, the life we leave behind seems like a dream. When I'm home, I wish I could freeze time and keep us all together, but I guess everyone wants that. I don't like to think about the day the kids will grow up and leave! I love being with them and being able to hold them.


Nathan has had lumbar punctures with chemo twice a week with the goal of clearing his spinal fluid of cancerous cells. This weekend we were told that the cancer cells might have mutated, his LP's for this week were canceled and we met with a radiation oncologist that specializes in cranial and spinal radiation. We have our consult with the team tomorrow morning to find out more but it looks like Nathan will be starting cranial and spinal radiation next week. He will undergo radiation for two weeks and then another LP will take place to determine if his spinal fluid is clear. After that it will be full body radiation to prepare for transplant.

We wanted to avoid extra radiation to his brain, (total body radiation was already part of the transplant) but chemo isn't being effective and that treatment is not good for his brain either. After meeting with the doctor today, we see that this is the path that we must take. As an interesting side note, we found out that Nathan will be given tattoos as markers for them to place the rays. How weird is that? He is going to be so scarred and marked up when this thing is over!
 Megan seems to have everything running smoothly at home (and she's still smiling!) She amazes me. Michael and Emma have impressed me when I've been home by doing their services (what we call chores) without being reminded. They take care of the younger kids and ask me what they can do to help. After our tree blew over in the windstorm, Michael chopped it up into pieces and filled the garbage can without being asked.


I really wish I was home for the start of school. It is such an exciting time and so important to start new routines. I know the kids will do fine, but I'm a little bit nervous since we've been homeschooling.


I came home to two stacks of medical bills. If it wasn't for the generosity of so many people, I don't know how we could do this!