Countdown to Transplant

For the last few weeks we have been counting down to our transplant date. July 7th. I am a mixed bag of emotions. I was surprised that when I got the call, the first thing I felt was excitement, followed swiftly by sheer terror. Excitement that this next chapter is starting, and I can see a light at the end of the tunnel. Yet terrified that we have to do this, that something could go wrong, and that I could lose my baby. 

Having a date has made transplant seem so very real, and it is starting so soon. We will be admitted to the hospital on June 29th and Bash starts chemo to wipe out his bone marrow and immune system on June 30th. The Bone marrow transplant team counts down from -7 and on day 0 Bash will receive his new bone marrow - July 7th. 

As you can all imagine, I have been a nervous wreck and a not very fun person to be around for the past few weeks, trying not to think of worst case scenarios, going over and over what could go wrong, and doing my best not to google any side effects or issues that could arise. I feel like I have been in a very dark place, it has been really hard to stay positive. I'm not sure you can ever be truly ready for something like this, and as much as I'm dreading the day we have to head in, I am ready to be on the other side of this, we all are. If only we could push the fast forward button just for this one part. The next few months will be extremely difficult.

Along with all these emotions we did receive some amazing news! The bone marrow aspirate Bash had a few weeks ago found NO LEUKEMIA CELLS!!! The last phase of chemo finally put him into remission! Our bone marrow Dr said that this is the best case scenario going into transplant. Yes, we still have to do the transplant. The cells are still present that mutate and cause cancer and we want to wipe those guys out too. Once the donor bone marrow is transplanted it only needs to grow and take hold, it doesn't need to also fight any remaining cancer cells, which is a huge relief. As terrifying as this process is we do have so many positives going our way. We have the best possible match (10/10) for transplant, we are getting bone marrow not just stem cells (it's more painful to donate marrow but more effective), a new treatment protocol that is less harsh without needing radiation, and now the cancer is finally in remission just before we start this phase. Sebastian is healthy, happy, and has been so resilient through all of this. Truly a miracle, and the best we can hope for. I'm sure he'll continue to dazzle the whole oncology unit, he is such a little flirt and loves all the attention.

Last week our family put on a fundraiser. Their idea started out as a small steak night gathering and quickly turned into a full on extravaganza that filled a hockey rink! It was a great success with a huge turnout. We wish we could have been there, but from what we've heard it was an incredible time. We have the most thoughtful and supportive family anyone could wish for. They gave so much time, effort, and love to make it happen. The community really came together and we are so fortunate to have so many wonderful people behind us. Here is a handful of our All Star family with their #TeamBash shirts at the ball tournament they played in the next day. Love you guys all so much.

Bash is One!

It's been a few weeks since I posted, but for the most part of the last few weeks we have been at home!!! And not just any home, we moved to a new house last weekend! We love it! There is so much more space for us to spread out in, a beautiful backyard to enjoy for the summers, and breathtaking mountain views. We couldn't be happier about it. It's also much closer to the hospital which is great - we've put 5000kms on the car since February driving back and forth to the hospital. Now we're only a 12min drive away!

Sebastian also turned one last weekend!!! ONE! I'm not sure how he grew up so fast, but he did, and we celebrated with a BBQ and some close family in our new backyard. The weather was perfect, Sebastian was spoiled rotten, and we enjoyed visiting with everyone. Unfortunately we couldn't have any little friends over to celebrate with us this year, but hopefully next year. We can't wait until he can play and interact with his friends, he gets so excited any time he sees someone his size.

Our amazing cousins and family are throwing a fundraiser for Bash on June 23rd "Cash for Bash" and if anyone would like to attend or for more info you can follow the link here. It's incredible how big it's gotten already and people have donated some awesome prizes so far!

Bash has had a few blood count checks in the past weeks that were low and he required blood transfusions/platelets for and although those days we spent all day in the out patient clinic, we are glad to not be in patient. Tomorrow (June 12) we head into the hospital for a lumbar puncture and bone marrow aspirate. Just a quick day procedure. The results will not change our course in any way, but it will be good to know what his baseline is, and if there are any leukemia cells remaining after this last round of chemo. Other than the quick blood counts every 3-4 days or so, and one last exam for his eyesight, we will be home for the remainder of June - as long as he stays healthy (fingers crossed).  We don't have an official date set yet for transplant, just near the end of June, hoping we find out the exact date soon. For now we are enjoying being home so so much and getting a taste of what 'normal' life is.