Today is Jason’s (my younger brother) first real day at Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville. He has stage IV Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and is about to undergo his first procedure: removal of a “port” in his chest. It should go fairly quick.

The big battle? That comes on August 6th. He’ll undergo a stem cell transplant (very similar to a bone marrow transplant) and my mom is the donor. She and Jason have to live in a sterile environment for 100 days (until November 1st) because Jason’s immunity system will be wiped out. To be blunt, a common cold could kill him–no exaggeration. He’ll have to wear a face mask as will anyone (which will only be my dad and I) who comes to see him.

The apartment is SUPER nice and homey. It’s at The Villages. I am very, very grateful to our insurance because they are paying for the apartment.

My uncle Ron and aunt Laura also really, really stepped up and loaned us their extra pickup truck for 3 months. Otherwise, we would have had to rent a car which we honestly can’t afford to do right now. So, thank you, Ron and Laura. ❤

The next few months are going to be challenging. Even for Bliss–one of my cats! She’s become Jay’s cat and she sleeps with him every night. Last night, she was like WHHHHAAAAT? where’s Jason? And he’ll miss her too so I’m sending him pics and videos of her.

Please keep Jay in your thoughts and prayers (if you pray). I deeply appreciate it.

Love you all.

xoxo