One week past Day 100 by Aaron’s mom
It has been a busy week of transitions. A normal move is difficult enough, but Natalie has the additional job of setting up a sterile-as-possible environment for Aaron’s still new immune system (If it can’t be sanitized, it doesn’t come in!), plus piecing together all their belongings that were packed by friends and family last summer and stored in various places. It has been a mix of frustration (they just got phone/internet service yesterday!) and joy (Home at last!)
Monday Aaron returned to UCLA for his weekly check-up. Doctor Paquette was so pleased with his progress he’s letting Aaron wait two weeks between appointments. Praise God! Though Aaron is still very weak, I can see “baby-step” improvements each day. He’s moving more, talking more, and fiddling with this and that more. Tonight he attached speakers and various cords to his laptop so we could watch a movie (Their TV hasn’t made the move yet…) His appetite is improving and he shaved for the first time yesterday. Little steps, yes, but all in the right direction.
Of concern: Late tonight Michaela spiked a fever of 102F and is nauseous. Please pray she gets well and her Daddy doesn’t “catch” her bug.
Of interest: The Wesleyan Church is sponsoring a RUMMAGE SALE on Saturday, August 11, 8:30am-4:00 pm to help with some of Aaron’s remaining debt. Donations of salable items can be dropped off at Fellowship Hall. The sale will be lots of fun!Come by and visit. If you have questions or would like to help sort, email me: boulderhaven@sbcglobal.net
July 29th, 2007 at 8:51 pm
Got it! We will continue to pray, very specifically, very thankfully! We love you!
Ingrid, Tim and Analyn
July 30th, 2007 at 10:23 am
Hi Aaron and Natalie and you beautiful little people. Welcome home!!!!!
I continue to be enlightened by your strength, love, and support. Your attitude is half the battle. Know that you are loved by many and admired by all.
Ya know, I really love kids. I would love to get to know the kids better so I could take them every now and then to give you a break. Looking forward to seeing you soon
Karen, Lee and the girls
July 30th, 2007 at 2:15 pm
Welcome to Ojai~!!! Have you taken a minute to go outside at night to enjoy the beautiful moon and the stars? When away from Ojai, and then come back home, I find that this is something that gives me a huge hug from God. It lets me just settle into the strength of his ever loving hands and relax and enjoy. Take time to go outside tonight and just Praise Him. I know that you do that anyway, I am just sharing my way~!
PLEASE let me know if I can bring dinner or something to make life a little easier. We all need to know what to do to help. Maybe blog a list of needs so we can have some idea of a daily, weekly or monthly need that would help out so we can join in on blessing you.
contact me… marthahigh@sbcglobal.net 646-1552
I know that the girls are loving having you there and might not like a lot of different people keeping them but maybe we could go to Blockbusters and pick up a DVD for you or something. Let us help~!!!!!
Martha
July 30th, 2007 at 2:30 pm
Aaron and Natalie,
Your journey, though incredibly difficult and painful for you, has brought God into our lives. We have and will continue to pray for your healing, for both of you. Over a year ago the prayers were indignant and angry that of all people you, Aaron, should suffer this way. Somehow, slowly, what started as more of a curse became a plea, then routine, then somehow a part of my heart and our family’s way of life. You never met Josh, now an Emergency Medicine doc, but we live on the other side. He comes home somtimes in tears himself or with a dark cloud that hangs over the family for the cases that can’t be reconciled with his own sense of justice. Natalie, your advocacy has clearly been invaluable. I have little doubt that your modesty would find you replying that there was no other choice, but we all have choices. Aaron is a lucky man and I know I am not the only one who follows this journey that feels a great gratitude for you being in the Boydston’s lives. Thank you.
We will continue to pray for your healing and for blessings to come into your lives that will ease this time. The emergent issues pack a big whammy, but the day to day is what wears you down. We will pray that God helps Aaron pack on some pounds. We will pray for God to bring you relief and rest from some of the burdens of daily living…I’ll leave it up to Him to figure out how. Oddly, once I started praying with faith, my own selfish wishes were granted and we have abundant blessings in our lives, but the best ones were those I never knew I wanted, though I wanted them more than anything.
So strange how in your time of greatest need you have given so much.
July 30th, 2007 at 2:37 pm
Hi, Aaron & Natalie & All, The photo of you with Michaela & Christopher at a new home (sterile!!) was a great gift! Your east coast cousins send tons of love and many, many prayers as you continue your journey. You are an inspiration to all. I know God will grant you the strength to keep up, even when it may not feel that way. Much love, Cathy & Family xoxo
July 30th, 2007 at 4:26 pm
love it that you are home aaron. will be wishing you well from colorado.
beth
July 30th, 2007 at 6:04 pm
Hi to your whole sweet family. Your picture is wonderful and I praise God for your progress. If you are like me, it’s a little scary being away from the security of a nearby hospital and good doctor. I’m praying God will enable you to take just baby steps now and be ok with that. And if you’re feeling down, that’s normal too–you might want to let your doctor know. Happened to me, and I don’t think I am that different from the norm. One good long-lasting effect from my transplant has been that I get to blame all my absent-mindedness–or perhaps memory problems is a better term–and a few other faults on it. Wish we lived closer so we could give some physical help, but please know we continue to lift you–all of you–up to our Father who gives only good and perfect gifts–kind of like you! Love to your extended family too.
July 30th, 2007 at 7:17 pm
Hey Aaron and Natalie,
Just wanted you to know how happy we are that you guys are back in Ojai finally! We’ve been following the progress…amazing progress…over the last 100+ days and understand how difficult this long process has been for both of you and all others involved. Remarkable journies take remarkable people. We hope you can continue to see the light at the end of the tunnel and feel the support of all of us who can’t be around you each day. Dennis and Rebecca Barnebey, Philadelphia
July 30th, 2007 at 8:54 pm
Hi to Aaron and all the family from me and all the Bobbses. We all love you and are pulling for you! Hope to see you soon.
July 30th, 2007 at 9:58 pm
Hey Aaron,
Can’t wait to get out there and go to In and Out Burger with you again (what were those things called?)
You and your lovely family are in my prayers all the time! Your little boy looks just like you. I can almost see him hauling up Foothill road…like you did not too many years older than him!
Love you,
Sandy Sage
July 31st, 2007 at 6:53 am
Dear Aaron & Natalie
You do not know me at all, but Chuck & Jan Shores are dear friends of ours and have kept us updated by forwarding emails to us.
It’s hard sometimes to minister to people you don’t know, and I can’t even begin to imagine what you have been through. I do, however, have a sister-in-law who had a stem cell transplant five years ago, and she is still cancer free.
Please know that any friends of Chuck & Jan are friends of ours. We have been prayinig for you on a regular basis, and simply asking God to meet the needs you may have on any given day.
May the Lord be especially near you, as you travel on this unexpected journey in your life.
With love from Indiana!
Becky Pattison
July 31st, 2007 at 8:05 am
Dear Aaron and Natalie,
We are so happy that you are home with your family and friends in Ojai. Sure wish we were there so we could see you too. It must be such a wonderful blessing to be out of the hospital al last.
We continue to pray for you, lifting you up to our Father for continued healing both physically and emotionally. You have been in battle with a horrible enemy for a very long time. It is bound to make you weary at times. But you are like David fighting Goliath. God has given you courage and strength to face each of the last almost 400 days since May of 2006, and He will continue to strengthen and uphold you as He meets you at your point of deepest need. He loves you and has chosen you both. He has begun a work in you both and will bring it victoriously to completion. He will never leave you or forsake you. He will keep you in His perfect peace as you look to Him.
We are with you in our hearts and in our prayers each day. We think of you many times throughout each day. We love you so much.
Kris and Rick
July 31st, 2007 at 8:49 am
Dear Aaron and Natalie,
There’s no place like home! We are so glad you are all back in the area and setting up housekeeping once again. We will continue to lift you before the Lord and praise Him for the work He is doing in your life.
With much love,
Dan and Linda
July 31st, 2007 at 11:09 am
I’m so glad to hear you’re home! I imagine the ‘baby steps’ are very frustrating for you, but keep your spirits up. I will continue to pray for all of you.
July 31st, 2007 at 1:05 pm
Welcome back to Ojai. I wish I were nearer, as the people of Ojai are like family; I had such a great visit with you when I came. Thanks for opening the door for me to come visit. I’m sending all my love and prayers to you and your family, Aaron. May your effect for God become more amplified, as your strength is replenished. I hope your new house becomes a blessed home in no time, and community flourishes in your midst. Much love you guys.
July 31st, 2007 at 1:43 pm
Dear Boydston Family,
Congratulations on your homecoming! We know that it has been an incredible journey with dangers that are hard to imagine. We pray for better days and hope you know that we are thinking of you often. There is light at the end of the tunnel!
August 1st, 2007 at 2:25 pm
We’re praying for you guys! And so glad you’re back home!