Halloween 2017

 Halloween always seems to sneak up on me. And this year was no exception. Not having Mimi here to celebrate with us also cast a little sadness on the evening. But the kids love to dress up and Caroline and Anna both came over to trick or treat in the 'hood and all dressed alike which was really cute. It was an especially cold night which is so unusual in Austin.

Halo men and a SWAT cutie

Ready for a sock hop

Alivia even wanted me to dress up with them - I was so honored.

Avery and her friends.

Uncle Peyton keeping it simple.

Weston had the same costume as Matthew!

The candy haul is amazing!

Blair and Matthew

Live Goes On. . . even with Cancer

So in the midst of cancer we had to do our Christmas photos! These are probably my least favorite for several reasons - my skirt was was too short and my hair looked bad. And the kids just didn't look like themselves. Oh well. . . at least we did it! I am so thankful to Erika Knox for helping us accomplish that every year.

Meanwhile we wait for Mimi to take the new bone marrow cells and fight off RSV infection

We all have to wear masks when we go see her to ensure we don't get RSV or give anything else to Mimi.

Here We Go!

Mimi was admitted to the hospital in San Antonio. She will receive high dose chemotherapy to kill off her own remaining bone marrow cells before the transplant of the new donor bone marrow cells will be given via her port. It is a fine dance between making sure all of her cancer is gone, and not letting her blood counts get too low. So far, mom has not had to receive many transfusions along this journey and we hope that remains true. 

Her room is TINY! We may be here for several weeks

Note from Will to Mimi

Note from Alivia to Mimi

Note from Matt to Mimi

Note from John to Mimi

The nurses encouraged her to walk around several times a day

The gift of LIFE - this is the bone marrow!

This was simply infused into her port. Amazing.

The Kindest Gift

My wonderful friend, Danielle came over to shave Mom's head before heading to San Antonio for chemo. Mom had been told that she would definitely lose her hair during the transplant and chemo (but it turns out she DIDN'T!) I am still glad she got her hair shaved. It made the upkeep so much easier.

Family Pictures!

We decided at the last minute to take nice family pictures - all with the unspoken worry that Mimi may not survive her bone marrow transplant and knowing that her appearance would likely change after the ordeal. I am glad they came together. And I am so happy we have them. They were taken near Bull Creek.

Paige - age 8

Alivia - age 11

Avery - age 10

John - age 7

Matthew - age 5

Will - age 9