I would have to say, and Courtney is sitting here agreeing with me, that today is the best day she’s had, physically and emotionally, since September 15th, when she first started feeling sick. She was up and about quite a bit, as witnessed by many of our friends we were able to see at our church’s Trunk or Treat.

The Trunk or Treat has become somewhat of a tradition for us. Each year around Halloween, families gather and park in the church parking lot and hand out candy to trick or treaters as they walk from car to car. We really enjoy it as it’s a safe and easy way for kids to trick or treat. You don’t have to worry about crossing streets, about strangers, or about dark houses. And everybody is home. And with cars only separated by a foot or two, the kids can hit a lot more cars in an hour than they ever could houses. This year the Trunk or Treat was especially great, since it allowed Courtney the opportunity to see the kids in their costumes and be with them trick or treating before she has to go back to hospital where she will be when Halloween actually comes around.

So, here’s the revised plan:
• Monday, October 29th, Courtney will be admitted to the hospital for five days of consolidation chemotherapy. Her doctor expects her to be released from the hospital on Saturday if all goes well.
• Next Friday, November 2nd, we should find out if any of Courtney’s other siblings are matches for a stem cell transplant.
• About four weeks after her consolidation treatment, Courtney will go to the Bone Marrow Transplant clinic for a couple days of physical examination, where they will make sure she is physically and emotionally fit for the transplant.
• If she passes her physical, she gets to play ball, and about a week later she’ll be admitted to the hospital for hopefully the last time.
• Eight days after admission and after a few days of more chemotherapy, Courtney will actually receive the stem cell transplant, which is more or less a blood transfusion.
• After the actual transplant, she will experience a couple of weeks similar to what she experienced after receiving her first round of chemotherapy (the induction chemotherapy.)
• Two to three weeks after the transplant, when her bone marrow is back to working properly and her WBC’s are back to normal, Courtney will be discharged from the hospital for the last time!

So, if you look at your calendars and follow the above timing, she will likely be in the hospital through Christmas, but coming out sometime before or after New Year’s. Courtney keeps saying she’s looking forward to starting 2008 cancer free! What a great blessing that would be!

We know for a fact that prayers work and have been answered throughout this entire process. We are again so thankful for the countless blessings that have come to us by way of so many wonderful friends and family members. We truly couldn't have made it this far so easily without all of the prayers and support. Thank you again!

Here are some pics from tonight!