Merry Christmas to you and yours. I don't know if anyone reads this blog anymore, especially since it has been over 10 months since we last posted. All I can say is God is so good. It has been a wonderful year. Trevin's hemoglobin is holding its own and the boys have had only a few illnesses throughout the year. We had a great check-up at Duke in July but were sad we didn't make it to see the children on 5200 for the 4th of July celebration. As far as we know, the boys missed the H1N1 illness. We were all really sick in late November which landed Brayden in the hsopital with pnuemonia. Two of the four of us were tested for the H1N1 virus and it came back negative. Brayden bounced back very quickly, though, but due to our illnesses we were not able to make our scheduled follow-up appointments at Duke in Nov.
On a different note we were very sadden by a fellow transplant friend's death in Nov. 2009. We had become close with her and her family during our journies together. She was a VERY special little girl and she touched so many lives! We will be forever changed by this amazing little girl. Also by the transplant experience overall. Medicine has come a long way, but we are reminded everyday that the doctors are not God, but with God all things are possible.
We will have our follow-up appointments at Duke in early January 2010. Both boys are looking forward to this particular one because they will have food challenges. They have suffered from food allergies all their lives and now, since transplant, Trevin's are all gone and Brayden's are gradually getting better. Trevin will try milk and Brayden will try peanuts. SO exciting. Brayden's Christmas list included "I wish my allergies will be all gone by July." WOW! How does Santa deliver that?
Please remember children who are sick and in the hospital during this joyous season. They are fighting for their lives and their wishes are very different than our typical Christmas wishes. Please keep them in your prayers.
Happy New Year everyone.