Today is Ian's birthday!
I wish I could throw him a huge party to celebrate, but with quarantine that is utterly impossible. So I've decided to wait and throw a really big one next year.
Ian was born on Labor Day, so somehow even if it doesn't fall on his birthday it feels like a special holiday. We celebrated by going for a family hike at Rancho San Antonio.
Ian set up a hammock next to a small creek and watched the girls creek walk.
It was a very special day for Asha - she lost her very first tooth! Her bug container wrist band came in handy as a tooth holder for our hike back, and a perfect display case to proudly it show off.
Ian and Asha ran races the whole way back to the car. So good to see Ian active and outdoors again!
Update on Ian's health:
Clinic days have been pretty uneventful. His liver counts are still up, but not alarmingly high. They are still keeping his immunosuppressants high, presumably to protect his liver from GVHD and give his body more time to adjust to his new immune system. I am hoping to be able to go with him to clinic this Friday to meet with his doctor and ask more questions and get the latest chimerism results. We should have a better idea of where he is at and possible next steps after this appointment.
These days, every day feels like Ian's birthday. I know it sounds sappy, but it is honestly the truth. Each day is a new day to celebrate life together and be thankful for each precious moment we have with him. Every day I remember what it was like with him gone for months at the hospital, his life hanging by a thread, and this gives real perspective to my daily home life. One of the deepest blessings of this ordeal has been the consistent reminder of how ephemeral our lives really are and not to take each other - or our own lives - for granted. Every day, every breath, is a gift from God to be thankful for. Not that I remember this all the time, oh how I wish I did! I am so tempted to worry about tomorrow or stress out over silly and insubstantial things in the heat of the moment. But having the reality of cancer in our lives gifts us with built-in reminders that call us to slow down and savor all the little things that make life sweet.
Happy Birthday Ian, My Beloved...
May we have many, many more years and may we savor each day of them together.
We love you Mr. Brown!!!