Day -12..."Admission Day"

Today was admission day, Day -12.  Rowan was ready! He face timed his home nurse Cindy, and snuggled with Dad.  Then we packed and loaded the car for the hospital, after taking a few pictures outside. It took several hours to get acquainted with the transplant floor, get settled into his room, unpacked, and all hooked up.  He played legos with Zoe, Brian and Ian while I talked through everything with the nurse.  We received the schedule for the chemo/conditioning, and met the doctor who actually wrote this special protocol.  Rowan is the very first patient in the trial, so she suggested they each hold up one finger.  Rowan had to start a special iv dosing of seizure meds, in preparation for the chemo he will receive tomorrow.  He also had his ivig infusion.  He tuckered out pretty quick, which is not surprising given the rigorous schedule he and I have kept up with the past few weeks.  He chose a special friend to honor tomorrow, and told me that he is ready and can do this.  He said he is "only a little afraid of side effects" but that he knows God and Jesus are with him. Here are some pictures from today, and as you can see...his smile shows that his spirits are high! 

When we got to the hospital he blew bubble in the parking lot, so they could go up to his angel friends in heaven, showing them where he would be for the next several weeks.

Rowan wasn't nervous at all.  He just played Mine Craft as we made our way to the transplant wing, were given a room, and got him into bed.

The facility is so nice!  Rowan and I have a huge room, great storage, a refrigerator in our room, and an amazing staff taking care of him.  They have movies, tv and games that he can play online from bed on a portable keyboard, and he can change the colors of the lights in his room up on the ceiling (he loved that feature).  I think we will be pretty comfortable in this room for the next 2 months.

The most difficult part of the day was the fact that Zoe has to fly back already, early tomorrow morning.  We are not sure yet when she will be able to come back.  These two are so funny though.  They both have a flair for the dramatic as you can see...

Fake crying...

"No Zoe...don't go, what will I do without you..."

 

One more, "No Zoe, come back!"...

which she did...

But eventually, they said farewell...for now!

Praying for safe, uneventful travel for Zoe, and that her schedule works out to where she can return again next month for another short visit.

Brian and Ian will be back tomorrow morning. 

I am getting things organized in the room, and then will try to get some much needed rest. 

Rowan, is probably dreaming of his friends, asking them to watch over him during these next few months. 

And we want to take a moment to thank all of you, our friends, family and even strangers, who follow Rowan's story and pray for him daily.  Thank you to everyone who has supported us with financial donations as well.  You have blessed us immensely and taken away some of the burden of this extended trip.  Thank you to everyone who called, texted, sent gifts and cards, or posted messages for Rowan's birthday...he felt so special! I will do a birthday post soon, but wanted to at least thank you all.

We will keep you posted on Rowan's progress as we can, and feel blessed to have such a strong team rallying behind the scenes!