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HAPPY 1St TRANSPLANT BIRTHDAY TODAY ERIC!!!! WOW..... I can not believe it's been a year already. It was and has been the longest and hardest year of our lives but we have made it so far!! I remember that we were suppose to have his transplant on the 8th of September last year but we were told that the donors marrow was still being flown from where he is to Eric in Texas through the night so that it wouldn't arrive until the middle of the night so they pushed his actual transplant day to today last year with it being lucky 9/9/09!!!
Right about now Eric was being prepared with all his medications and the doctor's were giving him a final check to move forward with his transplant. We are so grateful to his donor!! You saved his life and made it possible to be here a year later celebrating together as a family. We will always be eternally grateful and I can not wait to meet you in person and wrap our arms around you! You gave unconditional Christ like love giving your marrow to a complete stranger to save their life, going through some pain of your own to help someone in need without anything expected in return- that is true love!!
As his wife I am so thankful that his donor saved Eric's life and gave us more time! Eric now has more time for memories, a chance to watch the kids grow up, graduate from high school then college, a chance to go on missions, a chance to see them get married, a chance to be a Dad which I know he loves and will cherish. I remember we were just starting this journey of ours and we had no idea all the ups and downs... all the roller coasters we would be on but we knew and still know that the Lord was guiding us on this journey and we were being blessed with small and BIG MIRACLES and tender mercies along the way. I remember praying alot throughout the day ( like everyday) asking God to please protect Eric's body and to bless all the nurses and doctors with the knowledge and guidance they needed to allow Eric and his body to handle the transplant and not reject his donors marrow right away. I remember feeling and knowing of the Lord's love for Eric and I and that he was with us during the transplant. I felt a peace even when Eric was having the riggers/shakes, throwing up and not feeling well I felt a strong comfort, a peaceful feeling knowing that I was witnessing a miracle for my husband.
I am so thankful to not only his donor but to all of you family, friends, co-workers, ward and stake member's ( HOME WARD AND TEXAS WARD!!), neighbors, other transplant patients and their families/our new found friends, Patrick (who sadly lost his battle in June - WE WILL NEVER FORGET YOU!!), nurses and doctors whom became like family when you are there all alone with no family they really step up and not only care for your loved one but you as well- for EVERYONE because without all of you and your continued love and support we would have never made it!!!
So today it a special day- Eric's 1 st bone marrow transplant birthday!! We will celebrate today as well as many more years to come each year acknowledging his new life and new chance, his new beginning! The joy and overwhelming gratitude I feel everyday when I see you smile and I am able to see your kids laugh with you, their eyes light up when they are with you and spend time with you- it's the most rewarding feeling and blessing!! I love you Eric with all my heart and although I know you won't read this blog right now as it's hard and painful you say right now for you I know someday you'll be able to read this and know how much we love you! You are a walking, living MIRACLE!! You and I both know this, we have had so many doctors tell us this is the end for you and to say goodbye but we had and still have a unique strong faith and knowledge and the power of the gospel in our lives that we know is the true plan, the one guiding all of this- the Lord whom has a plan in store for you and your journey is not yet done here. I know that you are meant for important things because you are still here... your work is still not done! We love you Eric and I am grateful to your donor and the Lord for all our blessings and you, for the chance to be here a year later saying " Happy 1 st Transplant Birthday" I love you!!!!
