When we headed to Houston at the beginning of February, I had no idea how I could make it through another stem cell transplant. It seemed unconquerable and I questioned if I could handle it physically and mentally.

Well, today I’m headed home! We made it through some tough times and now it is home to recover and be back with our babies!

Last week, my doctor let me take a trip to Florida to participate in celebrating my parents’ 50th anniversary. Instead of 2 weeks, we went for 4 nights – but at least it was something and it was beautiful!

Yesterday, my doctor signed me off for 3 months. There are tons of rules and local appointments I’ll need to go to – but I’m free! Tonight I’ll be in my own bed after 4 1/2 months.

Thank you for your loving prayers and words of encouragement. Every single one has been important to me. Love, April

 And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name. I Chronicles 29:13

After being in the hospital since Tuesday, I think I have been thoroughly tested. The main concern was increased white blood cells and protein in my spinal fluid. More and more this is looking like a reaction/inflammation to the chemo that was injected with the 3 lumbar punctures. Thankfully all of the scans they’ve ordered (head CT, brain MRI and full-body lymphoma CT) have all come back with remission as the radiologists’ impression. We are thanking God for this. To play it extra safe, the stem cell doctor ordered a bone marrow biopsy which was completed about an hour ago. I told the physician’s assistant who performed the procedure that I’d rather go through child birth – I at least told her after the procedure, so hopefully I didn’t rattle her too much. It’s the 4th one I’ve had and I can’t say it gets any easier.

So, after 4 unexpected days back in the hospital, it looks like all is clear! Despite the inconvenience, I’m thankful for the aggressive reaction to rule out any recurrence, infection, etc. The team here is amazing. There’s definitely no dilly-dallying.

Thank you for your prayers and concern. I should be discharged from the hospital late this afternoon. They will have me come in for labs a couple more times, and then I should be on my way out of Texas. I’ll keep you posted.

Jonathan here again.

Today began without any surprises – coffee to April, a walk, some work, and then talk of Lupe Tortilla for lunch.

Then the phone rang at noon, and here we are in the ER – waiting to be admitted.

April’s standard lab work after her lumbar chemo treatment showed signs of meningitis. Meningitis is serious stuff. However, with no physical symptoms other than shock from the call, it looks like it’s not bacterial. That is a very good thing.

So, please keep us in your prayers. We will know more tomorrow after additional tests results are known. The beach is looking like a long(er)-shot, so please pray that we are able to go next week.

Who are those people? Could it be that 20 years have passed since we met out in Yellowstone National Park? Could my body language possibly show anymore affection for Jonathan as I leave to go home? Wow. Things have changed.

Obviously from the pictures, you can tell we’ve both experienced quite a hair makeover. Neither one by choice. And my love for Jonathan couldn’t be any stronger – especially with seeing his sacrifice during this time. You get to truly see what someone is made of in times like these. It is not easy. We do not always think positively, smile and encourage each other – but I think we’ve done a pretty darn good job moving forward and trying to trust God through this out-of-the-blue diagnosis. Wow. 20 years.

So, I think I have an end-date. My Stem Cell doctor said I need to go live my life – after I sheepishly asked if I could possibly meet my family in Florida at the end of their 2-week trip. (celebrating my parents’ 50th anniversary – Congratulations, Mom & Dad). His response was so welcoming, but then the over-analyzing side of me thought, “Does he know something I don’t know?” These are the mind games that permeate through even the most mundane hospital visits.

So, the deal is that I can leave after I complete a checklist of procedures, tests, classes, etc. The biggest hold up is getting 2 more lumbar punctures with Methotrexate. That leaves me to estimate that I’ll be discharged on . . . . . . . . . June 15th! Yay! I see the finish line after what originally felt like would be an eternity.

Please pray as we wrap things up for: that my lumbar punctures move forward with few side effects, that my full-body lymphoma CT scan will be completely clear, and that now the healing will begin physically, emotionally, etc.