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I can't say it enough.... thank you so much for praying for our Ethan. He's doing well, overall, but he's starting to feel a little yucky as his new cells are starting to engraft. They say this is normal for each transplant patient. The body is working overtime as these new cells begin to take shape in a new body, and sometimes it takes a little toll on the patient. Flu-like symptoms (body aches, excessive fatigue, slight irritability) and a general "I don't feel good" type of attitude is what we can expect over the next several days. Please pray that in the midst of this, Ethan can remain comfortable and rested.

Pray also for this new approach we are taking with his rash. It's so sad to see his little fingers scratching his neck and arms & know he is so uncomfortable. It's been determined through some trial and error that he has a combination of a yeast rash and a GVHD rash. So over the next couple of days they are going to increase his steroid dose (to treat the GVHD) and increase his anti-fungal medication dose (to treat the yeast). Please pray this change in his treatment does the trick! Also, pray that he doesn't have to remain dependent on the steroids as they have made him a bit more "swollen" in the face and more plump all over.

I am so thankful to the Lord that He took care of me last night. I had a migraine attack hit me in a fierce way last night. Adam had took the day off yesterday to spend time with me and Ethan, thankfully he was able to take care of Ethan in the evening before going back to the hotel so that I could rest. He stayed until Ethan fell asleep, and was so sweet to ask the nurse to be extra attentive to Ethan because I was asleep as a result of a migraine attack. Well, Ethan slept for 8 hours in a row!!! Which happens when we are at home, but NEVER HAPPENS when we are in the hospital. And when he woke up at 4:00 this morning, the nurse took over and fed him and played with him, allowing me more rest. It was so wonderful and I was able to get over the migraine attack without having too much to handle as far as Ethan goes. Thank you for that blessing, Lord!

I'm learning that there is still sweetness in the Lord when He doesn't remove the problem or situation from you, because He faithfully stands by you and provides for you even in the midst of it. Depend on Him for everything. Every thing. "It" might not go away, but neither does He.

p.s. - Ethan's blood count/ANC dropped slightly to 310 today. But that's okay, because we're still truckin' along...