Steve went into the hospital for his first "mega blast" of super chemo from Dec. 4-8 and is doing well with a minimum of side effects. His mom and he had to learn to give him one shot per day in the thigh after getting home to help build up his white blood cell count over the next 3 weeks. Both were pretty timid at first, but now do it like a pro.
All of Steve's siblings were tested for being bone marrow donors for Steve over the last 2 weeks. They drew a blood sample from each; John had the record of 5 pokes to hit blood, and Lauren was a close 2nd with 3 pokes to get her sample. However, we just found out this morning that none of these willing siblings are a match for Steve (Lauren was a half-match, but that is not good enough.) So on to checking the national registry for the right match. That is about a one to two-month long process and they have to ask the willing people who are matches re-test for this current case. So now our prayers can be very specific...asking to find the right match.
Meanwhile Steve is pretty healthy and will enjoy his first Christmas home in two years. He will go back into the hospital January 1 for another super chemo blast of 5 days, with about 21 days at home for recuperating.
To all family and friends, enjoy the season of celebrating the birth of the Savior, to whom we all look for those blessings we need.
