The cells were on a flight arriving at MSP at 2:30 today.  They need to go through customs, then to a lab in St. Paul to be prepared, and then to the hospital for Darin's transplant! By the time everyone and everything is prepared and ready to go, Darin's bone marrow transplant should happen later this evening. The process itself is fairly easy when compared to how they used to do it years ago (inserting them directly into the bone). Thank goodness for modern medicine!

The cells will be administered to Darin through the port in his chest, which is located above his heart.  The port pumps the stem cells throughout Darin's body and by some miracle, they just "know where to go". Darin has been having extra doses of antibiotics and antifungals, as well as Benadryl to prepare for the transplant and to make him stronger to receive the cells. The next step is to watch how Darin's body reacts to the new cells. 

In the next few days, he will start experiencing the onset of the difficult symptoms from the pre-transplant chemo.  (nausea, diarrhea, mouth sores, sore throat, difficulty eating, fever, skin issues, etc) Up until now, Darin has been feeling pretty good since his C. Diff infection has cleared up. Fingers crossed for no more infections! He has been tired, and certainly tired of being in the hospital. 

Some fun news? Darin and Rebecca celebrated their 19th wedding anniversary on Tuesday.  They plan to celebrate their 20th in style next year to make up for all they've been through this year.  If anyone deserves this, the Walds certainly do!

Darin, you are in our thoughts and prayers every day, but especially tonight.  We love you!