| December 11th Chris, Bridget, Juliana and Jared arrived in Seattle and secured a hotel that they will call "home" for up to 6 months. December 12th The family met with doctors at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center for their initial appointment. December 13th thru the 30th During these 18 days, the Alexanders followed a rigorous schedule of appointments, meetings, classes and procedures to prepare for the bone marrow transplant. Jared and Juliana underwent extensive physical examinations,from chest x-rays to blood tests to dentist and dermatology appointments. Juliana was started on liquid iron to build her body for the marrow harvest. Jared underwent two major procedures requiring general anastestia. The first was to aspirate bone marrow for testing. The second was for the placement of a hickman line. This line consistes of two narrow tubes inserted into a major blood vessel and exiting out of Jared's chest. Its purpose is to provide a route for taking blood, administering drugs, and ultimately infusing Juliana's bone marrow. In addition to caring for their children and managing their medical schedule, Bridget and Chris attended classes. These classes taught such things as proper care of the hickman line, how to infuse Jared with the various medications he requires, and nutrition and food safety for the immune compromised. December 31st (New Years Eve) thru January 3rd Jared began receiving a three day course of a mild chemotherapy drug. Other than being slightly irritable, Jared tolerated the chemo like a champ. |
| Updates About Jared and His Family |
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| The night before Christmas - leaving cookies and milk for Santa! |
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