28 Days of Fighting: Here's the Latest
As a family of runners, putting things into racing analogies has always been helpful. It’s also one reason I love Hebrews 12:1: Let us lay aside every weight and sin that entangles us and let us run the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the author, and perfecter of our faith.
Today we learned that Matt is ready to start the transplant race! Dr. McGuirk, his transplant coordinator, gave us the bittersweet news late this afternoon that Matt is in complete remission! This is what we and all of #TeamMatt have prayed for and consequently, we rejoice in God hearing and answering our prayers.
But I’m not going to sugarcoat things. Because Matt is now ready for transplant, we had our first in-depth conversation about the mortality and success rates and the countless things that could go wrong with a bone marrow transplant. It was sobering. It was heartbreaking and yet it was necessary.
We must go into this process with our eyes wide-open and being knowledgeable about all the “what ifs” that could occur. But we also quickly remembered that we can’t sit there in the what-ifs. We have to remember all the ways God has been faithful to us and Matt to this point. The ways that he has provided every step of the way, and His promises that tell us He will never leave us nor forsake us, that He goes before us and holds us with His righteous right hand.
There is suffering on the horizon. Matt, like Jesus, knows that the road ahead will not be easy. But he also has confidence that God has prepared him for this race. He is ready to tackle each day and throw off the things that entangle us - like fear and doubt.
So #TeamMatt, thank you for storming heaven on Matt’s behalf. He is ready for the next step. The donor (a 22-year old male who is a 10/10 match with the same blood type) seems ready as well. All signs point to hospitalization on June 7, where Matt will receive high doses of chemo and radiation for 7 days, and transplant occurring on June 15. We will update you on these dates as they are confirmed.
Please hold us all close; that Matt and the donor will both stay virus-free; and that we can enjoy these two weeks staying in the present and with what is, not focusing on the what-ifs. Thank you for all your love, support, and prayers. We couldn’t do this without you. Have a life-giving Memorial Day Weekend and remember to run the race that God has before you with confidence.