June 13, Day +48

I struggle for the words to thank those of you who have shared our need for A+ blood donations and
Hunter's story .  There isn't a comment, text message, phone call, card, or prayer that doesn't encourage and comfort us in some way.  We are blessed by the way that friends and strangers alike have joined us in prayer and provided for Hunter in his time of need.  The response to our plea for blood has been incredible.  

In fact, the response has been so huge that the blood bank has asked those who want to give to Hunter to call and make an appointment if possible.  The appointment number for the blood bank at Methodist is 713-441-3415.  To save Mark and Jana from walking back and forth from Hunter's room to the blood bank all day, the consent forms are now in the blood bank.  If you would like to donate A+ blood for Hunter, just ask for the form to give in his name.  I can't wait to share more of the stories of how God has been working to provide for Hunter.  There are way too many for midnight as I blog tonight.  Our swim lessons are at the break of dawn!

See that big smile on Hunter's face?  Notice the way that Mark is looking at his son?  At this very moment, the A positive blood that Mark donated on Monday is flowing into Hunter.  Mark was given a donor number, and sure enough the blood brought up Wednesday afternoon was from his dad.  If you've been reading my blog, you know that I don't believe in coincidences, but rather God setting events into motion.  The few bags of blood previously transfused were A-, which is less than ideal for Hunter, but the best the lab could send with the correct antibodies.  Seeing Mark's blood arrive was truly a cool moment for all of those in the room and a reminder of WHO is in control.  Hunter got a bag full of his dad's fighters, no doubt.





Since Hunter began his transplant journey, he has faced one physical struggle after another.  Yesterday was no different and an especially tough day.  As you can see in this picture, Hunter's arm again started swelling from his IV.  This is exactly how his body reacted to all 5 of his previous central lines.  We had hoped that an IV wouldn't cause the same swelling.  He woke up Wednesday and it was huge.  He couldn't grip anything with his hand, and his skin was so tight from the pressure of all the fluid under there.  It was really uncomfortable trying to keep it elevated.  By the end of the day, his left arm was starting to do the same from his new IV.  He's eating and drinking really well, so he was able to stop all IV fluids to try and keep it from blowing up huge.

Hunter has to be able to have some way to get blood transfusions and medications into his body, and now both arms are out, as well as the central lines in his chest.  Even though it's not our first (or second or third) choice he will get a line put in his groin tomorrow morning at 8:30.  He was actually planning on getting it today, and didn't have anything to eat or drink after midnight.  At 2:30 P.M., they finally let him know that he couldn't be fit into the schedule until the end of the day.  He decided to go ahead and eat and wait for Friday first thing.  Because his hemoglobin was 7.8 he didn't get any blood today, and it was really pretty nice that he could go without a groin line for one more day.  


The threat of infections is pretty great because of all the immune supressents that are being used to treat the Hemolytic Anemia.  Hunter will now get precautionary breathing treatments in this little tent to protect his lungs.  We all have viruses lurking inside our body that are usually not a problem to keep under control.  His doctors are monitoring some elevated CMV (minor childhood cold virus) levels.  Please pray with us that this virus doesn't flare up and cause issues for Hunter.

A big reason that I got to go home for Benton's birthday was that his brother Chase got to come to Houston this weekend.  These brothers are best friends in every sense of the word.  They carpool together to Baird, work side by side every day at the dealership, and spend most of their free time together hunting and fishing.  They've really been missing each other.  Chase has taken on the responsibility of Mark, Jana, and Hunter at the dealership, as well as his job.  Not only has he had extra at work, but he's made it a point of emphasis to take Benton on his days off to do special things together.  Last week they went to Mr. Gattis, and Benton told Chase "I like it when you take me to do fun things because it reminds me of how my Daddy takes me to do fun stuff."  

It has been a huge boost in morale to see Chase.  Macey and Hudson gave up their fathers' day weekend with him so that he could come see Hunter.  Our family is just awesome.  Macey also fixed Hunter up with lots of funny movies for them to pass their time.  Here they are bumping elbows instead of shaking hands or hugging.  Because Chase has a little guy at home, he wanted to take extra precautions not to pass along any germs, so he decided to wear a mask and gloves.  They've talked business, exchanged hunting stories, and Chase has filled Hunter in with all of what our kids have been up to.  There's been lots of smiling going on, which makes my heart so happy.


I've been busy having a blast with our boys at home.  I spend countless hours praying for Hunter and his struggles, but I know that he wants me to enjoy all the time I can get with them.  I hear a pretty constant chatter of "Mommy home," "Love you Mommy Moon Back," and "Hold me Mommy."  When you're gone for two months, you just can't help but sneak in to watch them sleep and treasure every hug and kiss.  I'm so glad that they're young and don't realize the suffering that Hunter is enduring so that he can come home cured!  He's one good daddy.

They got a bounce house from Nana a G-Daddy for their birthdays and had an absolute ball.

It was a big hit!

Picnic by the water, perfect summer day!

To each and every one of you who shared the link to our blog, prayed for us, and drove to the med center to give of your own blood--thank you.  We have been blessed by God to have a successful transplant, for Hunter who has strength to keep fighting, boys that are loved, family that's willing to make sacrifices, and by strangers willing to pray and spring to action when called upon.  We ask again for your prayers for Hunter as he undergoes his procedure tomorrow for his new line.  Please join us in begging God for Hunter to quit destroying his red blood, and that his antibodies will just calm down.  Also, for protection from infection and for peace and comfort for the physical and mental challenges that Hunter faces on a daily basis.  We are grateful for the support of Team Hanner!    

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