We head back to Riley on February 17 for Cody’s second stem cell transplant.

This round will look different than the first. He will receive 3 straight days of 3 different chemotherapies, each running 8 hours... essentially chemo around the clock for those three days. After that, he’ll get 4 days of rest, and then his stem cells will be given back to him.

The side effects this time are different too. The good news is he will not need the every 6–8 hour medicated baths like last time, and his skin is not expected to burn or peel the way it did before. We are so grateful for that mercy.

Mucositis can still happen, but it’s not expected to be as severe. The main side effects we’re preparing for this time are:

That slower marrow recovery likely means more platelet and blood transfusions, possibly daily for a period of time.

To every single person who donated blood or platelets in Cody’s honor...THANK YOU. Truly. We never want Riley to be at a shortage, especially knowing Cody may depend on those donations every single day. Your generosity directly impacts his safety.

We are preparing to be at Riley anywhere from 25–40 days (woof 😅). It’s a long stretch. But here is the sentence we have been waiting to say:

After this… Cody will be DONE with chemo. Forever.

I am crying typing that. What a mountain he has climbed.

Thank you to everyone who has donated meals, signed up to help with the kids, sent gift cards, prayed, texted, and carried us in ways we didn’t even know we needed. You are truly angels walking this earth.

We are leaning hard on the Lord and on our community right now.
 "Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2

Please keep praying for strength, protection over his body, smooth stem cell infusion, and full bone marrow recovery.

We love you all 🤍