Day 22 (March 8)

Day 22: recovery continues to go well.  :) The challenging and intense two weeks took a dramatic turn for the better last Wednesday, and on Thursday Laura was discharged to her temporary residence in Portland. She and Ed will live there until the end of May. 

My mom writes, "I am recovering well...the Lord's covering has been evident throughout this whole time." Yes!

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This is like a checklist. Imagine that there are a series of boxes to check off for a hundred days. Each box is a milestone, and each milestone significant. Day zero with its initial transplant? Check. A successful first three days? Check. The two weeks at Nadir before counts her counts rose? Check. Mercy has been poured out and she's come through the first big milestones quite well. 

There continue to be milestones to reach, challenges to face, and the proverbial boxes to check for many months to come. We're hopeful and optimistic - and so grateful to Jesus.

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Thankful: 

-the initial period of suffering has passed
-she's back to eating normally, 
-a pretty serious infection cleared up quite quickly 
-the doctors have been given keen foresight and insight 
-wisdom and kindness of the doctors and nurses
-there's every reason to expect the stem cells are settling in nicely
-she has been provided with a a beautiful little home in which to continue to heal

Praying:

-the recovery is still that: recovery
-may it continues to go well
-Ed as he serves as primary care giver
-Laura's sisters as they work as they also care give and provide Ed respite
-provision in all ways
-healing in all ways
-successful integration of the stem cells
-no Graft-versus-Host disease
-complete eradication of leukemia, never to return (Amen!)

Thank you for praying for her, lifting her up, rejoicing with us and also bearing her with prayer through all the challenges. Thank you for leaving encouraging comments and prayers and all the love here in the comments. It's such a blessing to read, and deeply encourages my mom. She is so grateful for all of you, and we are as well!
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P.S.

(Laura is still under a type of quarantine, so no visitors allowed.)  :)