Day of Transplant

Today is a day that is hard to express in words.  Since I was 2, I have fought CGD with the understanding that I would live my entire life with it.  My Mom and Dad never let it slow us down growing up and they also made sure I had the best health care possible.  Mom and Dad built a special bond with a special person who has been an inspiration, Doctor, and many other things to me; Dr. Rebecca Buckley.  Many of you have heard of Dr. B , but she is one amazing person that kept me going to where I am today.  You can bet that we email daily during all this and she is watching the labs and medicines like a hawk.

Today I am receiving my brother John's stems cells that will soon replace my compromised immune system.  Since the day Dr. Buckley called me about John being a perfect match, I never doubted he would do what he has done this last week.  He has been a trooper and his process was more than what I expected.  John, you know I love you and when this is all done, there will be more fun times ahead.  My guess is one will be near some warm blue water and another near the front row at a Panic show!  And then rest assured, I will more than happy to give those cells as many rounds of golf as they want!

This process will take some time for the transformation from my immune system to John's healthy immune system.  Laura, as she has done since day one without any question, will be right by me in Durham being the best caregiver one could ask for.  Many of the days ahead will be like watching a slow clock tick waiting on lab results and tweaks to make the process be more successful.  We will live carefully trying to avoid a infection during this time of transparency with my weaken immune system.  No doubt, we will find fun things to do and soon be back in Greensboro back to our normal lives.

Laura, you have given up so much because of my illness from a delayed honeymoon, many trips to Duke, being proposed to from a guy with a pic line, and many nights where I had to take it easy because I was not feeling well.  2010 was a tough health year for me, but 2012 will be a new start for us without CGD hanging over our head.  I love you for your patience and looking past CGD at me as a person!  Soon CGD will be in the past! Love you Laura!

I hope my parents can soon post on this blog because I can only imagine what all this means to them.  My parents took me to Duke more Thursdays than not to see Dr. Buckley and keep me healthy and living.  Most of the visit were me and my mom growing up (unless she had a hair cut and then dad stepped up, haha)   I can only imagine the emotions when you learned of CGD and now the reverse of those feelings that it can be cured.  You have given up a lot and always made the right calls with my health.  From knowing when to let me stay on the basketball court or to pull me out and send me straight to Duke.  Your parental instincts have always amazed me and continue to this day.  I love you Mom and Dad!!!

The absolutely amazing support from everyone around has been incredible.  All the emails, Facebook messages, comments, cards, and most importantly prayers, makes all of us feel so loved and keeps the spirits high.  I think the hits on the blog are now over 4,000.  And that means a lot!

So here is to a new Birthday, January 18, 2012!  My appointment is at 10:30 am...

Burns