So many steps have been taken since my last update. I delivered our beautiful Baby girl Ember Madison via emergency C section. We were blessed to have a small delay in Kevin's treatment which allowed him to be present for the birth, along with our amazing friend Bev. A joyous occation I know Kevin did not want to miss. Ember is now almost 2 months old and is flourishing. 

Kevin also finally started the Stanford admission part of this journey. He was cleared and admitted July 25th. He recieved the amazing gift of HCT from an unrelated donor on Aug 1st thus setting the timeline day +0. Since having the transplant, he has received another round of chemo to ensure his own cells do not reject the new HCT and his body is responding appropriately. That being said, he is currently experiencing many side effects from the chemo and the transplant such as fevers, rashes, medication reactions, mouth sores and extreme nausea but we have been ensured by the medical staff that most of what he is experiencing is expected and he is being treated subsequently. We are very thankful for the staff at Stanford, they have all been so attentive and caring. Be that as it may, knowing he is under the best care this wife's heart still aches for him and wishes I could decrease his pains. It is almost too much knowing his current state requires him to recieve his nutrition through IV because he can not eat due to the mouth sores or that he is on a pain pump to help control the pain. Regardless of all that he still is the strong man I met 22 years ago saying he has to "be really sick inorder to get well". He continues to be my rock as I have my emotional days, including Watson's first day of kindergarden not going as expected with both myself and Watson crying the morning away or Lincoln throwing a tantrum outside of Applebees because I wont open the side door for him (it was a window!). He always just listens to me cry and vent, knowing I just simply need my best friend. I know he is fighting not only for me and our family but for himself to be a stronger healther husband, father, son, and friend. 

As always please continue the good thoughts and prayers. I will attempt to get back to frequent updates as this is day +12 of approxiamently 90. And while he can not always respond he loves hearing from everyone whether through text, messenger or this website. Thank you from the bottom of my heart and beyond for the love and support.

Mary