Days +61 - +66

This week Nathan had another bone marrow biopsy with great results. No cancer was found! He also had a endoscopy and colonoscopy which confirmed the doctor's suspicions. Nathan has some GVHG in his digestive track. (Everyone says "gut" and I find it quite funny to hear doctors say such a common, not to mention short, word.) This can be a good thing because it means we know those new cells are working and there is a good chance they will attack cancer cells if any remain. It is also good because it means Nathan has been prescribed two steroids that have made him feel so much better. The nausea is all but gone, his appetite is better and he has more energy.

Nathan's GVHD is very mild and is responding well to the steroids. I keep reminding myself to be thankful for that and to live in the present, not to worry about what will happen if he has chronic GVHD or gets a more severe form later. This experience is really helping me learn to live day by day and enjoy every moment. I look forward to the day when I will no longer be worried about future test results or GVHD.

Confession: I sometimes give Peter Skittles from his Halloween bag when I give Nathan his pills. Otherwise he tries to take the pills away from Nate.

Nathan's morning meds: 15 1/2 pills, 1 liquid, 1 injection - most people are on A LOT more!

My mom and dad brought Michael and Derek up yesterday. It was great to see them and we have an exciting week planned with the boys. Michael is such a good big brother -and he is BIG! He has grown so much he towers over Nathan and me. He is only 15 and it looks like he still has some growing to do. He keeps holding Peter and even elected to sit in the back seat of the car so he could be with him.

Michael took this picture of Derek and Peter

Michael was as happy to see us as we were to see him. He wasn't able to come up in the summer like the girls did and it has been a long time. He said it made him think about how he is going to have to be away from our family when he goes on a mission.

Tonight Eliza told me all about the Thanksgiving dinner that was held in her kindergarten class. She thought it was amazing! She also didn't want to get off the phone. I loved hearing her cute voice. She is full of spark and I miss her. When I told her we would hopefully be home for Christmas she asked how long we could stay. I tried to explain to her, but I'm not sure if she understood, that, except for follow up appointments, we will be home for good. 

I wish I could spend the first few months of being home doing nothing but holding my little kids and spending time with the older ones. I will need to remind myself not to get busy doing household things and consecrate this time for our family. Nathan will still be recovering and, before he goes back to work, I just want to spend time together. 

Only one more month to go! I don't think I've been this excited to count down until Christmas since I was a little kid!