Keep Peadling

First of all, Hunter's platelets were 233 yesterday.  They're back in a good place.  His hemoglobin stayed the same at 11.0 which means that his steroid dosage stayed the same.  He is alternating 40 mg then 30 mg the next day.  As you could tell by his guest blog post, steroids are doing a number on him.  A decrease would have been welcomed, but hopefully that's coming after next Monday's labs.

I don't completely understand it, but we've been told high dose steroids basically eat at your muscles.  He consumes all the protein that his can, but can't keep up his muscle mass.  Hunter confesses is steadily growing physically weaker, but I'm so proud that in his weakness he realizes he is renewed daily and sometimes hourly by the Lord.  The cramps that were mainly in his leg muscles a couple weeks ago moved to his arms, then last week to his back and neck.  He was never comfortable, and was downright miserable when his pain pill would wear off.  Yesterday it was hard for him to stand up from a chair.  When coupled with four weeks of 2-3 hours of sleep a night, I think you could hear the chronic pain coming out in his words.  Yesterday he got started on a pain patch, and his evening and night were better.  His resolve was evident this morning as he headed back to work.  He has been down this steroid road before, and he will get his muscles back.

I don't know about you, but when I get in a "feel sorry for myself funk" one of the best things for me is to look around and do something for others.  Now that the craziness of back to school week is over, I've been working on the details of our Be the Match ride.  Lots of people have asked how they can help us.  Our basic needs are met right now.  Hunter is blessed to work at the dealership with a brother, parents, and employees that step in for him when he can't work.  He doesn't have to worry about losing his job because of transplant.  We have a lot of friends and extended family that help us take care of our boys when we're not able.  There is food on our table, and a we were incredibly blessed by Hunter's perfect match from the nation bone marrow registry.  Not everyone who goes through transplant is so fortunate.  Because of the $750 in donations so far {that is going to be matched} we've covered the costs of adding 15 new people to the registry.  I would love to pay it forward even more.  Expenses to donate are also completely covered by Be the Match, so I feel like it is a worthy cause to support.  Click on the link to go to our Team Hanner website if you'd like to give in Hunter's name.

This is the image on the Be the Match website that inspired me to take the 100 miles in 100 days challenge.  His caption says "When I rode my bike through treatment, transplant and recovery, I rode uphill and into the wind. And I used those same qualities of persistence, perseverance and courage, both on the bike and off, to deal with my disease.” Join Neil, transplant recipient and amateur cyclist, in By The Mile for Be The Match!"

LikeThis guy reminds me so much of Hunter.  I will always remember him lunging down the hallway hooked up to his chemo and doing yoga in his hospital room.  Some days a walk down the hall felt like a marathon.  Transplant is definitely a long journey, and hopefully Hunter is in the home stretch.  If you missed my first Hundred for Hunter post, I committed to ride my bike 100 miles in remembrance of Hunter's first 100 days of transplant he spent fighting for his life in Houston away from our kids.  Working on my 100 miles has been therapeutic for me, and I am completely humbled that Erinn & Tom Graham, Michelle & Zach Percival, Honey & Poppa, Chris & April Brannon, Erin Easley, Nathan Hathorn, and Melissa Jacobs have also committed to go 100 miles for Hunter.  That's more than 1200 miles for Hunter.  The end of my 100 days is October 25th.  We are having a 5K fun ride/run/walk leaving from ACU to celebrate how far Hunter has come and see how many miles we can log all together.  A helmet is required if you're riding.  Come have fun with us!!  

Hundred for Hunter 5K ride/run/walk

October 25, 2014

Registration at 9:00 A.M.

Hunter Welcome Center, on the campus of ACU

There will be a representative from Be The Match present, so if you'd like to join the registry at his ride it will be easy!  If you are between the ages of 18 and 44, and would be willing to donate if you were someone's match, PLEASE COME JOIN!  She will swab your cheek at the ride and you have some paperwork to fill out.  It's that easy.  We would love to add some friends to the registry.  If you're not up for riding, walking, or running but would like to volunteer, that's great too!

And because no event is complete without a shirt, here is a link to order if you're interested.  You can pick them up and pay me at the ride.  They are $12-15 depending on the amount I order.  If you can't come to the ride but still want a shirt, my email is listed in the link and we can work out the details.  Shirts are American Apparel brand (runs a little small) and I will place the order a couple weeks before the ride to make sure they're here in time.

 I'm 77 miles in towards my goal.  Benton has ridden (rode?) 37.5 of those miles for his daddy.  The twins have been in the trailer for most.  Our family is enjoying spending this time together.  We are not cyclists by any means.  I promise, a 5K ride will not be too difficult.  It will take less than an hour even if you walk.  Here's a little of what we've been up to on our Hundred for Hunter:

So there you have it--some ways to help us help others.  Give to our team page benefitting Be the Match, come ride with us October 25th, and if you're willing and able join the Be the Match registry.  Pray for Hunter's platelets, hemoglobin, and his strength.  Keep peadling Hunter, there's an entire team with you!