Dot -1 day of johns collection

Hi eliza here... There are some moments in life that you know will never leave you. This is one of those moments. I sit here next to John while the blood flows from one arm through the machine that is pulling out the stemcells and platelets separately and then putting the blood back into his other arm. This is the process called "apheresis" and it's going to take about 6 hrs today to provide the necessary stemcell amounts burns will need to start the transplant process tomorrow. We know now that this will be a two day process. John will have to get another neupogen shot this afternoon and tomorrow morning before he begins the apheresis process again.  This is not as easy as it sounds.  Getting the blood to flow can be tricky and the whole process makes you weak and very tired. John is being a trooper though and getting lots of good drugs. Widespread Panic has never sounded so good! Burns is doing well today too and is getting his last bag of cempath today. It is just amazing to us all how well burns is fairing considering 4+ days of chemo! Superman has nothing on him but we already knew that. Don't get me wrong this process has not been without some drama and tears but it's journey that I am thrilled to be a part of. Its truly like a movie- and we will indeed have our happy ending! After tomorrow burns will now have a b+ blood type. The same as johns. I love too that it's "be positive" - it describes both the Blackwell boys to a t! Thanks as always for the prayers, notes and kind deeds done by all involved...you have all been as much a part of this process as I have. Blessings to you all from the whole Blackwell clan! Until tommorrow...