The Big Day!

Sorry everyone! I really thought that we would have alot of time to be blogging here in Germany, but everyday has been PACKED! Also, I can't figure out how to download pictures onto this computer, to share, (everything in Europe is different!), so there won't be any pictures or video till we get home, sorry!
So, today was the day! We just got back to our hotel room. On Tuesday, they collected 10 vials of bone marrow from Gibson's hip. Wednesday, while we traveled around Belgium with my aunt and uncle, visiting WWII sights, (totally awesome), the XCell Center processed his bone marrow, and collected 10, 180,000 stem cells, with 95% viability! That is an amazing result! All they need, is 2 million cells, with 80% viability, so Gibson blew their expectations out of the water! The doctor told us "that boy's got good looking stem cells!"
Today, Thursday the 5th, we got to the center and waited for a couple of hours. We were there with 2 other families and their sons, it was wonderful to have other parents to talk to that are going through the exact same situation, we were all a great support to one another. They took Gibson back and put him right to sleep (he still had the iv in from Tuesday, so they didn't have to poke him twice). The procedure only took about 20 minutes, then they wheeled him up to a recovery room, where he slept for about 3 hours! The other two boys woke right up, but it was nice that Gibson had that time to rest, it was just what they wanted him to do. After he woke up, he had some juice and fishy crackers, and wanted to play video games! He was annoyed because they had his oxygen moniter on his thumb, your prime "video game" finger, so watching him play the DS with that on was pretty funny. The center then drove us back to our hotel, where we are right now. Gibson is doing well. He does have a bit of a headache that he is complaining about, but that is to be expected. Actually, the doctors have said that it is a symptom of the new cells taking root in his brain, so it is actually a GOOD thing to have a headache. I just gave him his pain pill and he is now watching "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer", yes, we start celebrating Christmas early in this family! He is doing great, and understands what just happened, and is excited. We were amazed at how calm he was through out the entire process. He has been so patient! We have had alot of waiting around, and he hasn't complained at all. He is a very tough kid, quite the super hero!
Chase and I are feeling great, and very hopeful. The doctors in Germany that did Gibson's procedure are VERY excited about him and his possibilities. In fact, the therapist that works with the XCell Center, wants Gibson to come back and work with her for 2 weeks! They feel very positive about Gibson and what to expect from him. They feel that he will have great results from the transplant.
We want to thank you all again for your prayers, love, and support. A few moments before the final procedure today, I had a second of panic, where I asked Chase if there was anything else we should do to help this along, should we pray again, another blessing, what? And we both got an overwhelming feeling that we have done everything the Lord wanted us to do, and He will take it from here. Keep praying. We love you all, and will keep you posted!
Love,
Chase, Brynn, and Gibson