Chip's progress has come to a screeching halt mid-March. One week, the team was prepping for our successful departure from Seattle and the next week it was FULL STOP. Based on a chimerism lab on his blood, they determined that his own T-cells were taking over the donor cells. The team discussed moving forward with a second bone marrow transplant. 

We privately dealt with the disappointing change of direction. We felt blindsided and grieved the hopeful glimmer of returning home. I found that as we shared the devastating news with family and friends, the crushing news seemed more bearable. Chip's team continues to discuss the best solution pertaining to his second transplant. The brightest minds associated with Fred Hutch Cancer Center meet at a round table setting weekly and Chip's case continues to be on their docket. 

In the meantime, he has also fighting off a BK virus that has attacked his urinary system. He's been suffering from quite a bit of blood and clotting in his urine. After 2 weeks of progressing, he needed hospital intervention to clear the clots with a continuous bladder irrigation through a catheter. He was admitted a week ago and over the past 24 hours, we are finally seeing some improvement. He says this is the worst pain and discomfort he's been in during this transplant process. 

We have sufficiently mourned the success of the first transplant and are readily bolstered to meet what it will take to get Chip on the other side of a successful bone marrow transplant! Right now, we are just putting one foot in front of the other and taking it one day at a time. For now, we will remain in Seattle close to the Fred Hutch clinic while we navigate the path to Chip's successful transplant.

Thank you for checking in on us, praying for us and supporting us!