Last things we did at home

We had our last Violin lesson. Bridger loves his teacher she is great, we will miss getting to see her every Monday.


Bridger helped Grandma Gus paint her nails and then he painted my toenails all by him self. Last night we had a girls night out at my friends house. It was a nice break in my carzy day, and a fun farewel.

Leaving tomorrow

Last Tuesday and Wednesday we spent in and out of the hospital mostly in the waiting rooms. Bridger had to get three pokes (his blood drawn) and was not very happy. He cried to go home, we lived on pop tarts and breakfast bars. We found out that we acutely have to be in Houston for good tomorrow. They are concerned that he may have some new inflammation in his lung. So at 9AM tomorrow Bridger will get a cat scan of his lungs. If something looks like a possible new infection we will be put on medicine, possibly come back home and get better. If it looks OK on Wednesday morning He will be put to sleep and have his central (pick line) put in and they will harvest his bone marrow one right after the other. They will only have to put him to sleep once this way. He is very very sad to leave home. He hates to even go the the grocery store witch is .5 miles away. He would rather go with out his favorite foods and drinks so he doesn't have to leave the house. He has it worse than my brother Mitchell used to. Yesterday we all got Priesthood blessings. I was a very special time. Last Wednesday a peaceful feeling came upon me as I was pondering on the drive home. I Know it will be hard but everything will be OK. Bridger's Grandma and Grandpa Gustafson came to be with him for a few days before the transplant and Bridger couldn't be happier. On Saturday we threw him a surprise party. We wanted to get a couple of thing to help the time pass so we decide to have a party Bridge wanted it to be a surprise. so when he saw the chocolate cake that was made in the crock pot he said can I have a peace of cake. I said that is not a cake that is a pile of dirt. It looked more like a mound of dirt than a cake. Bridger went to touch it and I said don't touch it you'll have to wash your hands and we don't want it to get in your lungs. But I do need you and dad to go get some worms for the dirt. He got all excited and said, because Worms help the dirt to be better. So Bridger and Blake went out in the heat looking for worms and when they came back Grandma, Grandpa and me surprised him it was fun. We played party games and had cake. Bridger was very happy. I guess I better start packing.




My wonderful Visiting Teacher gave Bridger this cut cupcake.

Augest 18th

More good news. We have a real date. August 18 we will be admitted to he Children's hospital and on the 28th Bridger will receive the transplant. It is a reality that we have been waiting for. A reality that will be trying in many ways but necessary for his future. We have to go this Tuesday to Houston to meet with one of our Dr.'s that we haven't met yet and any last tests they feel necessary will be preformed. We could be there one to three days. Then we will pack for our long stay. I am shore it will all come fast. Thank you all for your prayers.

More News

The bone marrow transplant coordinator called me and said that the 2nd donor is a stem cell only donor and our Dr. prefers the marrow. I also found out that of the original six matches only three were able to be used for transplantation after the further testing. The BTC told me that the second donor was on hold until they hear from the third donor. The hole situation made me a little nervous and I feel like I am having absolute blind faith because there is nothing I can do but have faith. Later there was a message form the BTC. When I called her back she told me great news. The third donor went to and information session and is very interested in helping. The next step is she will have to pass a physical then she can donate. She has an appointment set up before the end of the month to have her physical done. If all gos as planed we will be in Huston by the 2nd or 3rd week in August. I then asked the BTC if they collect the bone marrow and then freeze it until we transplant and she said it all happens on the same day. I then asked "so, Bridger will have nine days of intense chemo then they will collect and transplant all in one day? What happens if she gets in a car wreck and the marrow never gets collected?". There was a pause on the phone and then "no one has ever asked that question before". I tried to defend my self with "I'm really not a pessimistic person we just have really bad luck". Still she didn't know how to answer but assure me that the only problems they have had in the past were flight delays. So now we will just pray for the 41 year old female who is donating to be protected.
I must say having to go threw all three donors has made me that much more thankful for the sacrifice and kind heart that this third donor has. It has also made me ponder on the sacrifice that Jesus Christ has made for all of us and I feel I have another perspective on the Atonement. My heart and testimony have grown this day.

4th of July catch up

I'm catching up from the 4th we decided to go and spend time with Blake's brother's family. We had a Blast, Lindsey my sister in law has a tradition of tie dying every 4th of July. We all dyed a shirt on the 3rd and wore them proudly on the 4th. We got to see a parade and watch Eric blow up a mail box. Bridger LOVED the fire works but his arms got tyred of holding his ears because he didn't like the sound. We also celebrated Blake's Birthday it was a great weekend we are very glad we went.






The mail box.
What was left of the mail box.

Footprints

At the walks that where held in CO and WY each person that walked colored a footprint that said (Dear Bridger, I walked for you in Edwards,CO or Lovell, WY on June 5th or 13th, 2009 your friend), and then they signed them. Bridger said "I love ALL of them mom". We hung them up and love to look at the footprints. They are another reminder of all the love that has been sent our way and how blessed we are thank you with all our hearts.

Trying to keep busy

We heard from the BTC (Bone Marrow Transplant coordinator) late last week. She said they had a donor but after attending an information session she wanted to think about it. So, they are going to go ahead with contacting donor number two. We have heard that it can be a painful procedure for the donor, so we definitely understand if a donor has reservations. We just pray that we get the best donor for Bridger. Mean while we are keeping our selves busy.

This is us at the Dallas Temple.


Bridger asked me for a box and we ended up with a homemade airplane. He is very creative.





Bridger and I made cookies. He was standing next to the cooling rack eating them. He told me that he was tired of standing, so I moved his glass of milk and half eaten cookie to the table. By then the second batch was done, so I took them out of the oven and was placing them on another cooling rack. I noticed something looked funny. Bridger had taken the entire first rack to the table to eat off of. I guess that will fatten him up.