For Nate, one of the winter's most important event occurred three weeks ago, when Ingrid and Nate went back to Duke for Nathaniel's six-month check-up.   Since Nate was not permitted to fly on a commercial flight, Corporate Angel Network was able to arrange a private jet from California to North Carolina (a big thanks to Bank of America), as well as a return flight from Delaware back home (another big thanks to Campbell Soup - see below for more details).  Among the myriad of tests that were performed, three blood tests were most critical.  First, the blood cells were examined to see if they were made by Nate's new, donated bone marrow or by his old, cancer-prone marrow.  Second, his blood was evaluated for signs of the specific cancer gene that was present when he relapsed.   And finally, Nate's white blood cells were placed in a type of laboratory boxing arena with some nasty bacteria to see what kind of fighters they are at this point.   While we've learned to become leery of shouting good news from a mountain top, we can happily report that the blood cells that are currently roaming around Nate's body are cells born of the donated marrow and they show no signs of cancer!!!!!  As is expected at this point, the cells don't offer much of a fight against disease (25% of normal) and we'll have to continue Nathaniel's stringent anti-infection precautions, but overall, we got the results that we had prayed for, and we'll breath slightly easier for a few more months.  At least until his important nine and twelve month check-ups.

The message providing this great news, (via our internet service provider), arrived in the days before Christmas.  So after a cheery good morning in front our own fireplace, we spent the afternoon with the other Parrys at Greg's sister Susie's house.  Nathaniel was just old enough to know to be excited when he awoke, and plenty old to take for granted a good heaping of some classic American over-abundance.  Nate ripped through package after package shipped from his Sundberg grandparents, and the scene was the only gift mom and dad wanted for the holidays.  The thought of all of the parents that we met over the past year who had to face these holidays without their child make us profoundly appreciative of our opportunity, and profoundly sad for their loss.  Our prayers are with you, friends.

Over the past two months, we are grateful that time has slowly gone by without incident.  Nate's vocabulary and curiosity are growing in leaps and bounds, much faster than his hair and height.  He has taken to assigning himself a playmate everyday: whomsoever is the chosen participant for that day (either mom, dad or a grandparent) can expect to be led by the hand to Nate's room, whereby Nate will close the door behind them.  He will cede command of the exit only when all books have been read and all toys have been played.  Which is exactly what this family needs, another member with control issues.  As for Ryan, he is a smiling and playful and happy boy, when he's not spitting up or sleeping or fussy.  In the meantime, Greg has returned to full time work at the clinic while Ingrid maintains more than full time hours at home with the kids and anticipates returning to work part-time in the near future.

We've been fortunate to have received our share of visitors in the past eight weeks (see Nate's Photo Album), and unfortunate to lose one very special one.  We are very sad to share that Yole DeGange, Greg's grandmother and Nate's only Great-grandmother, passed away two weeks ago at the age of 95.  Nate already misses his "Gigi," and we're going to need volunteers to replace the daily rosary that Gigi offered for Nate.  She was so determined to restore Nate's health that we think that she partially accepted that it was her time to go so that she could be that much closer to God's ear.

In the meantime, Bapa Parry, Greg's father, has made weekly sojourns to provide some help, lots of ice cream and a healthy dose of verbal harassment.  Trish, Nate's primary nurse while at Duke, dropped by for a great visit, much to the delight of the whole family.  Unfortunately, none of our bribes to instigate her transfer to Sacramento appear to have prevailed.  Papa Sundberg, Ingrid's father, says that his motivation to come out while Nate and Ingrid were in North Carolina was to provide a hand with Ryan.  Personally, we feel that the sale price of Cherry Garcia at the neighborhood Bel Air may have been equally motivating.

Finally, our gratitude for all you who have helped us throughout this past year is worth restating: know that your generosity and caring will not be forgotten.  While this last year was often a tough journey, we quietly celebrate its ending, happy today for a son that we are so proud of, and sure of the promise of the new year.  Keep the faith. 

Nate and Bapa at sunrise, heading towards the jet, en route to North Carolina.  See Nate's Photo Album for other new pictures.

Nate and Nurse Trish, both apparently captivated by Elmo's grand entrance onto the transplant unit.

Nate on the lap of the pilot Jeff, who only thinks he's in charge, on the way back from the east coast.  Unfortunately for Campbell Soup Company, they had the opportunity to provide help far above and beyond the call of normal generosity.  It was icy rain that forced Nate and Ingrid to drive the six or seven hours up to Delaware to procure a ride home with the Campbell jet.  And they would have made it on time, had they not got horribly lost in the middle of  Delaware.   For an hour and a half.  Which is a long enough time period that Jeff   drove to find them in lieu of them doing further driving to find the airport... wow... please eat a lot of soup this year.