Glad That's Over

Adam just finished his second round of chemo yesterday. This was, hands down, the most difficult one. It was only four days, but it knocked him flat. Two out of the three chemo medicines were ones he had not received before. He also received medicines to manage the side effects, and for the most part, they worked...thank goodness. He was doing much better today and hopefully will continue to feel better now that he's finished. It's back to waiting for his counts to drop to zero and then recover. We still don't know if he will have to undergo a third round before we are transfered downtown. If my understanding is correct, they are waiting to see if this round has put him into a solid remission. We won't know that until they do the bone marrow aspiration after his counts come back up.
On a very significant bright side, we have received confirmation that my HLA typing has come back as a perfect 6 for 6 match for Adam. (This is very interesting since I asked for Mark and myself to be tested just so we could know for sure that we weren't matches.) I still have to get a physical evaluation to see if I am healthy enough to undergo a bone marrow harvest (which would require anesthesia), but if I pass, I will be able to be Adam's bone marrow donor!!!!!
The more I understand about bone marrow transplantation, the more significant my being a match becomes. It is extremely rare for a parent to be a perfect match. I was told by Adam's doctor that they have only seen this when the mother and father were somehow related. Mark and I have a common ancestor on the Mayflower, but that's about it. Our transplant doctor told us that the only way I could be a perfect match for Adam is if Mark and I have some of the same genes. In doing further research, I found that the chances of us having the same genes are something like one in a million. We were also told that the chances of us having a child with an HLA match to one of us is one in one hundred thousand.
It astounds me to sit back and look at this. My faith in God, which has been incredibly strengthened over the course of this experience, allows me to see His hand in all that has happened to us. I thank Him with all my heart, for his active presence in our lives, and for the uninterrupted support that has come from Him.

14 comments:

Emily said...

Wow. That is truly amazing! Thanks for these updates, Janna. You are in our prayers. Always.

Janna said...

Thank you, Emily! What can I say. I am so thankful for your prayers!!

Anonymous said...

We love all of you so much, and are also grateful for the miracle of you being able to be the donor. That truly means that you and Mark will be giving Adam life twice. That is quite a legacy for Adam. Grandma Lynne

Unknown said...

What a miracle....

nealcox said...

Simply astounding. Mind boggling. Thanks for sharing. I can't wait to tell the boys about this answer to prayer.

Leavitt Family said...

WOW!! We have both seen miracles in our lives,love you!

Anonymous said...

You guys continue to be in our prayers and on our minds everyday. Cant wait til I can come home and see you and your boys outside again enjoying life!!! Adam's a trooper :)

Love,
Scott and Erika

Anonymous said...

All you are amazing for what you are going through. You are great examples to our family of remarkable faith, perseverance, and submitting your will to God's. We know this is not easy and we pray for all of you to have strength to endure. Thank you for the updates and for sharing this experience with us. We dearly love you all.

Aaron, Shauna, E,A,L & D

Anonymous said...

What fantastic news! Truly a miracle. We are so happy for you. I hope Adam's counts come up soon. We are waiting for Darby's counts as well. I hate waiting! :)

And thank you so much for the updates!

The Riley's

Anonymous said...

Hey you guys, this last post put tears in my eyes. What a sweet testimony of the miracles that God blesses us with. I happen to know that we "Adams" are a tough lot. This little boy is going to be such a strong adult because of these trials and I have no doubt that what he is going through will prepare him for something special that our Father in Heaven has in mind for him. Hang in there and keep focused on the gentle arms that surround you in these trying circumstances. I love you guys.

Adam Winter

Anonymous said...

It's confirmed! Janna, you're a match! I don't believe that this is just coincidence. I am more and more convinced that prayers are are being answered. What a loving Father we have.

We'll keep on praying.

We are proud of you mighty man Adam!

The Whites

Shane's Angie said...

Wow! I'm so happy you are a perfect match for little Adam! I'll be praying that everything goes smoothly!

Don Pectol said...

Janna,
Robin and I love your family. You all are in our prayers. Your little Adam is my hero!
With much gratitude for our friendship.
Don & Robin Pectol

Jennifer said...

Jana,

What an amazing miracle. My sister's friend struggled with leukemia. She had seven children and the youngest turned out to be a match and could donate. Sorry that we have not commented for a while. Right after you switched to the new website we switched emails and haven't gotten notification of updates. I'm back on track now though. You are in our thoughts and prayers.