Best News Ever

Mireya's body is engrafting. The two to four weeks after the transplant are the most critical. The high-dose chemotherapy and the ATG destroyed Reya's bone marrow and sidelined her immune system. We've been waiting for Jalen's bone marrow to 'set up shop' in Reya's body, start to grow and produce normal blood cells. That has started and we are so excited!!! The elevation in the white cell count is very small, but it increased again today. The hemoglobin and platelet counts should soon follow. In the meantime Reya will continue to receive platelet and blood transfusions to thrive (and survive) until that time. On average, Reya has received about one blood transfusion a week, and anywhere from two to four platelet transfusions within that same week.

Mireya is also getting growth factors (drugs that help the body make more blood cells). Growth factors can help the donated cells engraft more quickly. Reya suddenly started complaining of back pain yesterday. The nurses were all excited because this is a sign that everything is working together as expected. Word on the street is the Nurses have an 'Engraftment Dance'. I haven't seen it yet, so I don't know if it's a line dance, Soul Train style or a free for all, but as happy as I am I might have to yell 'Remix' and throw in a breakdance routine or a 'cha cha now ya'll'.

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

This has been our prayer all along. God is so faithful. We have to stand on his word and believe it without wavering. It's hard sometimes, especially when your faced with the unfamiliar. It may 'seem' easier to trust God and remain faithful when we are 'aware' or 'feel' within ourselves that we know what's on the other side. BUT when you don't have a clue and you can't even frame up in your mind what or how it should play out you have to stand on the word of God and trust that he's working it out. I've wanted nothing more than to scoop up my child and make everything right for her. I don't have the ability to do that, but God does. So I lift her up to the Lord and ask him to allow life to flow through her body. I pray continually that her health will increase and be restored 100% without issue. Our prayers are being answered. Everybody dance now (jump to the rhythm, jump jump to the rhythm jump).