A Big Thanks

Ok, I know most of you will be disappointed but yes, this is Jason writing this post, not Mayumi. When I originally started this blog, I thought I would be the one doing most of the posting but Mayumi has done such a great job keeping everyone updated and I'm glad she has done all the hard work :)

This is a post I've been wanting to do for a long time and is way overdue. It's been an amazing experience for both Mayumi and I to see all the support from Family, Friends, Co-workers and people we barely know. I thought it would be fun to share a couple of stories of some of thoughtful things people have done for us during this time. So basically this post is a BIG thank you to everyone.

To my co-workers in Seattle and Japan:

I've been very fortunate to work with a company that has given me great opportunities to work with some incredible people. My current team in Seattle/Canada is part of this incredible group. One of the first visitor I had at the hospital was Tronda from the office with a big poster board for my wall with messages from everyone from the team. (and a nice goody bag too..)
Now, I know this sound very simple, but it was so nice to look over at the wall and see the thoughtful messages of encouragement that were written from every member of the team. Especially during the bad days. I also received a package from a co-worker in Canada. Everything in the package was either made in Canada or about Canada. Becky, I'm not sure if I'm ready to move to Canada, but the maple syrup was great! They continue to check in and I can't thank them enough for their support.



Another package I received was from my co-workers in Japan. In 2010, I had the incredible opportunity to be a part of this team and work with them on a new product.
During this process, not only did I have incredible experiences, but I made some great friends along the way. As most of you know, I served a Mormon mission in Japan about 20 years ago. I remember within the first 2 months of being there, I was invited into a friend's home and saw a beautifully display of origami cranes. When I asked what this was, he told me that this was a gift given to him by his sister. He said a few years before, he was very sick and was in the hospital for a long time. While he was there, his sister and family made this display folding each crane and attaching them together. By doing so, the person/people making the cranes can make one wish for the person receiving it. There are 1,000 cranes in this display. 1,000! I remember leaving that house thinking, "Wow, what great thing to receive". Well, this is what was in the package I received from Japan. When I opened the box I was overwhelmed with emotion. I knew what this meant and I knew the effort it took to put this together. Never in my life would I thought I would receive something like this. A big thanks to the Japan team for this. It's something I will never forget.


To friends, family and neighbors:

Mayumi and I can't believe the love, support and prayers we have received during the time. It's been amazing! The phone call, emails, cards, packages, people bringing over gifts, food, goodies, raking the leaves, hanging Christmas lights on the house...I could go on and on. You all know who you are and we couldn't go through this with out you!

Quick update:

The last 4 weeks have been great! The doctors are very happy with the way my blood count looks, how I feel, no signs of GVHD and that I have a good energy level. I still have no immune system and have to stay out big crowds, but, as Mayumi mentioned before, I'm able to go to public places in none busy hours which has been great. They also gave me permission to attend a Yoga class at the local YMCA. Mayumi has been going to this class for a while and it's been fun going to it with her.

Today was day 62 from when I had the bone marrow transplant. The doctors have told us from the beginning that if something major was to happen it would happen with in the first 100 days. So, I'm a little over halfway there! After the 100 day mark, I will be release from the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and start seeing a post transplant Oncologist. I know that things could change at anytime, but that being said, I'm so glad the first half of the 100 days have gone so well.

Thanks again to everyone!


Jason