Hello and welcome to the USA!
It is with a warm and excited heart that I say our welcome and introduction to the United States has been with open arms. The medical staff and team at Penn State Hospital have been a true delight, as well as so many others that we have met in the past week. I can’t wait to share some of the amazing blessings that we have had from complete strangers, as well as the progress for Murphy getting his first dose of DFMO.
Before I begin, it would be timely to say a massive thank you for your prayers for safe travel, and a safe beginning of our stay in Pennsylvania. Check out some of the photos in this blog, and I know they’ll bring a smile to you and your family.
Please check out this blog not from just the newsletter, but the website, as you’ll get to see this fun video of us on the first day at Penn State Hospital!
The Journey here
From the teary ending in the Adelaide Airport, waved off by many family and friends, the Nowak tribe (plus grandma Glenda) walked onto that Melbourne bound plane. The incredibly friendly Qantas crew looked after us every step of the way. Someone granted us access into the Qantas Lounge in Melbourne, which made the 4 hours very comfortable before getting on our 16 hour flight to Dallas. The kids loved the movies on board, but I can’t say the same for the food options (even Hugo couldn’t stomach the whole breakfast meal we were woken up for). The Immigration staff were pleasant and waved us through to the Dallas airport, where the kids and I made a B-Line for Chi k-Fil-A for a bite of God’s Heavenly Chicken. Even though I should have had a healthy salad after a massive 20+ hours of travel, the chicken burger hit the spot! Another flight later we landed into Harrisburg PA. The kids were full of energy and helped gather our 14 suitcases and oversized car seats. We immediately were met with the Kindness of strangers, the was one beautiful lady sitting next to Glenda on the flight to Pennsylvania offered to help drive some of us to our house where we were staying and transport our luggage. This person proceeded to explain to Nat in the coming days how much that trip meant to her. WOW! Since when did I ever go out of my way at MIDNIGHT to help another family in need…
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Can you believe the blessings didn’t stop there?! Just tonight, when I was asked about my accent by someone as I left the fast food restaurant (I promise we have been eating some healthy food in-between!), I shared about why we were here in the USA. It was a brief conversation, no more than 20 seconds. And then without me knowing, that person ran back into the restaurant where Nat was with the kids and asked if she was my wife, then gave her $20 cash and said she would pray for our boy. Again… when was the last time I hunted down someone unknown to give them some money…
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Following a few days of bad jet-lag, we finally hit a few nights of full sleep, praise God! Our bodies were falling asleep at the right times, and the kids had a lot more energy! We checked out some sights in Hershey and had some wonderful family time. And this time was so sweet after the last few weeks in Adelaide packing, farewelling and planning. Some much needed family time.
This week has seen a few long appointments at the hospital for Murphy. He has now had his first dose of DFMO and the clinical trial has officially began. We are fully prepped with medication to now see him through the first few weeks here. The hospital where we went this week was the Milton Hershey Penn State Hospital, named after one of the great chocolate makers! And after this week’s tour of Hershey, I must say I had no idea how much of a champion he was, not just through employing nearly the whole town in his time, but giving all of his wealth away to hospitals and schools! The next time you’re eating a Reece’s Peanut Buttercup, or opening a Hershey Kiss, know the good that he did in his time. Being around so much of that free-to-give spirit that is so present in Hershey, you cannot go past the one who is the most freely giving, God. Our kids have been praying each night about our gratitude for what God has given us each and every day!
To finish, I must say that the families we have met in the hospital have been so inspiring, from the family who flew from Sweden, to the father and son from Perth. Each family has their own story of how they have fought to seek our further medical support for their children. One of the girls in the clinic who noticed Murphy leaving for the day turned and waved and said, “Goodbye Bluey”…awwww….How cute is that! Murphy’s aussie accent is rubbing off on others.
Thank you for your amazing support!
Love,
Bandit
