October 23rd is the day that my Daddy will be getting his bone marrow transplant.
October 23rd is the start of MANY more years here on this earth with my Daddy.
Out of his five siblings that were tested, only one was a match....only one. But, we only needed one match for a transplant, and one of his sisters is a PERFECT match - Thank You God!!!
My Dad will be in the hospital for a month, and then they will have to live close to the hospital for months after that. My mom will be his full time caregiver, while my sister and I help her out.
He will not be allowed to have his grandchildren visit him during that time.
While that may be easy for many people, it will be incredibly hard for my Dad and for us, as my parents are actively involved in their lives on a daily basis.
In fact, last year, in the middle of chemo cycles, he flew with Abi, Koah, and me to Ukraine. He braved the 16 hour train ride...twice. He stayed with the kids and me for two weeks. He was there as we met Ryder and Max....
And, the only reason that he only stayed two weeks was because he had to get back for platelet transfusions and chemo.
My Dad is not just the BEST Dad, but he is also an INCREDIBLE man. He didn't just tell me what to do growing up, but he led by example. My Dad continues to teach me, as well as my children, what it means to be faithful to God and to your family, about thinking of others before yourself, about having a giving heart, about loving God and loving others with your whole heart, about never giving up on others or on life, about being a person of integrity, and about putting your faith in God.
I would not be where I am today, without the incredible gift of my mom and dad. I am so thankful that God chose them to be my parents. I honestly do have the BEST parents EVER! They are the most giving, supportive, and selfless people I have ever met.
And, although this journey may be hard for a season, and the separation from family during the transplant will be difficult, we know that God will be right there giving us the strength and sustaining us. And it will be WORTH it when we are all living life together again with my Dad full of life and healthy!
Today, marks the day of a new, and wonderful start in life for our family. We know that God can reach down and heal my dad with a single touch, and we also know that He sometimes uses doctors and medicine to heal. We are so thankful for whichever way He chooses to give my Dad many, many, many more years here with us.
Please, I am begging you to, pray for my Daddy. Sometimes, a bone marrow transplant can be a complete cure for the particular type of cancer that he has been diagnosed with. We are believing God, that it will not just put him into remission, but it WILL be a complete and successful CURE for my Daddy from here on out.
Thank You God, that You will bring my Daddy through this transplant better and stronger than ever, and that you will give him a long and healthy life here on this earth.
Thank you all for praying for my Daddy!
Bless the Lord, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits:Who forgives all your iniquities,Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits:Who forgives all your iniquities,Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Psalm 103:1-5
With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.
Psalm 91:16
It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones.
Proverbs 3:8
