Hello everyone!  I know it's been a while since my last post.  I have had a series of tests determining my remission status over the past month.  Everything has come back negative!  Therefore, I have been cleared for transplant.  Today is my last day of taking the chemotherapy drug, dasatinib, in preparation for bone marrow transplant.  Over the next 3 days I will be receiving infusions to decrease the side effects of radiation and chemo. I will be admitted on Friday to begin the transplant process.  Gretchen is here this week and her stem cell collection begins tomorrow.  The collection of stem cells from Gretchen could take 1-3 days and we'll know more about that timeline after tomorrow's procedure.  We are hoping that I return home in about 4 weeks, but it could be longer.  My first week will be a combination of chemo and radiation.  I will receive my new stem cells 1 week after my admission date, which is called day 0, October 1(My New Birthday).  The following week or so, is the hard part, significant discomfort and mouth issues.  Hopefully after about 2-3 weeks I start to heal as my marrow starts to make the necessary blood products.  I feel great mentally and physically, I'm ready.  Jen and I are so grateful for all the love and support from our family and friends.  Please keep the prayers and positive thoughts coming for my family and me.