The new beginning......

Day 0 - TRANSPLANT DAY

Hunter's guardian angel blessing and protecting him. That's his "New Life" gleaming behind her.

So far..........the transplant has been a huge success. Hunter's body has been tolerating everything that's been thrown it's way, and he seems to be feeling really, reeeaaaallly great. He's got the cells in him now of a newborn.......so I guess, in a sense - yesterday, he was born again. The transplant itself was very quick and only ran over the course of about 30 minutes. We have seen some Bone Marrow Transplants online and have been told that the actual transplant is pretty anti-climatic......and that it was, so I feel as if we weren't too disappointed. But I did feel as if it would take a little bit longer??!! Hunter actually slept through the whole thing. Geez!

They shot him up with steroids before they began to prevent any kind of reaction. His nurse checked his vitals every 5 minutes for the first 15 minutes and then pretty much stayed for the rest of the time to make sure it all ran smoothly. It was very similar to a blood transfusion. They just hung the bag of cells from his IV poll and dripped them into his Broviac, which is his central line in his chest. Easy as pie.

The cells arrived a few days before at the hospital, frozen and stored in a preservative by the name of DMSO, (aka stiiiiinky, nasty, rotten oyster, smells like crap preservative). They freeze them in this simply because it does not crystalize like ice - so that prevents any kind of piercing of the bag or damage to the cells. That's a good thing. However, the room does quickly come to smell like rotten oysters and so did Hunter. We've been told that it only lasts a couple of days.

So now Hunter's blood type changes from A+ to O+ (O+ was the cord blood's - blood type), and his vaccinations that he has already had are no longer. Those vacated his body with his old marrow. He won't be able to get any new vaccinations for one year. And even then, there are only a few that his body will be able to start with. His food restrictions are pretty serious and he's limited to mostly things that are canned or cooked very thoroughly to prevent any bacteria or fungus from getting into his system. He is not supposed to eat anything from a bulk food section, (which we never really did anyway), no deli sliced meats or cheeses, (only things pre-packed), no fresh fruits or vegetables, (he can eat cooked veggies.......but they have to be cooked really, really well), no eating out at restaurants, no raw nuts, no tofu, no soft, bleu veined cheeses, no herbs, no sprouts, no poultry, no fish........on and on and on. We've also read that it's not good to light candles due to the fumes and toxins released in the air. No playing with other kids, no exposure to construction zones or areas with lots of dust. And more, on and on and on. So yes......he becomes the boy in the bubble.......who can eat nothing but canned soup. But hey.......who cares!!!!! He made it to transplant and so far he is alive and well!!

Hunter woke up about 2 hours after the transplant was complete and we were warned that he might wake up aggressive and grumpy and a little irritated due to the steroids. But........he didn't. He did demand his YouTube......Hunter's latest addiction, lots of cartoons and shorts, over and over and over. But after about 20 minutes - he was up and climbing around and dancing and singing. He was looking and feeling like a brand new baby!

So even though the transplant itself was anti-climatic...........the actual transfer of cells into Hunter's body will change his life forever. Much like all of you have changed our lives forever.

Prayer circles were formed, candles were lit, angels were summoned and chants were heard all around the world.............children were hugged tighter, people were loved longer, life was appreciated fuller............Hunter has and will continue to teach us all so much. Love what you have, hold what you love and never, never, ever.........let someone tell you it can't be done. Hunter continues to break all the rules and he will shine on like the warrior that he is and we will let him know throughout his entire life that he is an amazing human being and has brought such love and peace and joy and hope to so many. And he doesn't even know it.

Me and Bean right before the Transplant.

This is his IV pole currently. We've been told that MANY things will be added to it in the next couple of weeks. It's already on overload if you ask me!

Hunter's new cells slowly dripping into his body.

Crashed out and snuggled the entire time.

Almost finished. Empty bag, just getting those last few cells. If you look closely you'll see the NMDP, (National Marrow Donor Program), listed on his bag. Thank you again for having, preserving and delivering Hunter's new life.