Happy Easter!

EASTER BLESSINGS to you and your family! We pray that this day has been filled with great joy and sweet memories. When I talked with Mom today she was rejoicing in God's gift of Jesus to her life. Mom is so grateful that she is not walking this journey of illness on her own.

Mom was delighted to share about a friend she has made while at the Infusion Ward. Her friend was growing weary and losing hope that a bone marrow donor would ever be found. With great joy she was able to share with Mom that one had been found outside the US and the person was willing to come to donate. This friend thanked Mom for encouraging to never lose hope. She told Mom that Mom is many people's "gauge". If Mom is smiling, they know that everything will be okay. Hearing all this blessed Mom greatly. Mom was praising God that He is using her even in her weakened state to bless others.

For the last month, Mom and Dad have been splitting their time between the apartment at Stanford and the ranch. There have been windows of time when Mom can be away from the Infusion Ward which have made the trips home possible. Mom has greatly enjoyed being home and Dad appreciates being back at the ranch to get a few things done.

Currently, Mom is back at the apartment waiting on some test results. Mom said that she will need to stay close to the hospital this week as all the test results become available. Today, the nurse took 6 to 7 vials of blood to run a variety of tests. Mom has been blessed to only need platelets every five days and has been able to wait up to two weeks for red blood cells. This is a huge improvement over her past everyday needs for transfusions. Mom is no longer able to take Tylenol or Vicadan for pain. She is now taking Morphine orally around the clock for pain. She has been able to keep her vomiting down to twice a day with the help of medication. Mom is sleeping but I don't think she sleeps for long periods of time. Through all this, Mom is still very positive and grateful for her many blessings. Even when she shares how hard things are and how tired she is of all this, I can still tell she has a smile on her face...I can her it in her voice. Mom is walking one of the toughest roads imaginable and still finds joy and is thankful for all God is doing in her life. I am so proud of Mom!

Only by the grace of God Mom has been able to walk this journey as far as she has come and only by His grace will she continue. As Mom comes to mind, we'd greatly appreciate your prayers. Easter Blessings to you all!