Inspiration...1

There are moments when you are hanging by a thread, anticipating that one last straw, then an event changes it and you forever. We've had 3 instances since our journey began.

Diagnosis day sent our world crashing, fearing the worst, fearing the unknown. Going into the Bone Marrow Transplant clinic the next day with a packed bag anticipating a long stay away from home was a lonely feeling. No one was there but us, we were alone. After Carla's blood labs were done, the Physician's Assistant and the Oncologist were in a quandary. She has no symptoms, no recordable levels of leukemia flowing in her blood, yet we have myeloid sarcoma cell in her tissue. Doctor felt there was no reason to strap her to a gurney and roll her away. We went home instead with no answers yet a big worry. We showed up Monday, with Carla's name on a touch screen check-in system...famous already. Still feeling alone, we sat across from a couple, she wearing a mask looking a bit worn, he sitting up straight right beside his wife. They could easily tell we were new (we both had hair, although mine receding), and most likely if they had to pick who was sick would probably pick me. They looked at us and said, "You are new here." Unemotional yes we answered. I am sure out of courtesy they asked "who is sick?". Carla replied, "Me." Noticing our unsettling posture, immediately understanding our state of mind, this kind lady reached out with the words that will ever be part of my soul, "It's going to be okay." She and Carla began a dialog. Carla got up from her seat, unnerved by the appearance of the masked lady and sat right next to her and began sharing her story and how we ended up in the clinic that Monday morning. With the head scan, body CT, and bone marrow still ahead of us that day, we heard inspiration..."It's going to be okay." Her name is Sandi.

Status: Amazing the kind of sleep you can get at home. Carla slept like a rock...me too. Earliest I have been to bed in 3 weeks, 10:30pm lights out. She was quite tired most of the day, as expected. Looking forward to tomorrow for "exercise" and blood tests. Wow, there are a lot of pills to take. Carla also go a little trim, she looks great. She will be posting that soon.

Thank you Jensen family for bringing dinner to us. Your family is so kind ALL the time. We wish that you could stay and visit longer, but given Carla's immune system is basically zero, we'll have to postpone the up close and personal with the "air hugs" and waves for awhile.