Day +9

Today Bill and I attended a class for "Allogeneic stem cell discharge instructions.". It is a wonderful feeling to have come this far. Though discharge is about ten days away, it is so nice to see the end in sight. After discharge, Bill will have to return each day for blood work and platelets and blood ,as he need it. However, we will in our apartment and able to dictate our own schedule to some degree. After the first two weeks, it seems the visits will be three times weekly. We shall be in Houston several weeks post transplant. He will have a bone marrow biopsy at day 30 and again at about day 90-100. He will continue to have follow up bone marrow biopsies every 6 months. We have so much to be thankful to GOD for, for taking us this far. When something like this is visited on a family, one has the tendency to look for reasons. We search our minds for possible lessons to be learned for wisdom to be obtained. My suspicion is that there is wisdom and learning for each of us to take from it depending on our frame of reference. Ultimately I believe that "All is Gift" and this too is a gift. Dear God help us to see the purpose of your gift.

This evening Bill's good high school friend Dr. Angel Rodriguez....also known as Tuto came to visit him. Tuto is an oncologist at Baylor University which is just next door to M.D.Anderson. They have seen each other several times since we came to Houston. It has been wonderful for Bill to have a friend so close by to help him through this. Tuto has also been an invaluable source of knowledge and resources for our family. Thank you Tuto. To all of you wonderful friends from St John's high school in San Juan ,Puerto Rico, a very sincere thank you for your love and support for Bill. It seems like yesterday since you were teenagers arguing about math problems and fantasy baseball .....or is it my memory playing tricks on me!

As Bill continues to improve, we reflect on the part all of you had to play in this. Your prayers and support have been a constant source of strength to us. It truly does take a village!!