The journey ends

As you know, Dale went home to be with the Lord on March 16th (3/16) at 6:45 am. On March 14th, Dale, Wade and I went to UCLA for a routine clinic visit. His labs showed that his bilirubin had dropped to 45 . His Hbg and Hct had dropped to 7.2 and 19.9 so he received a blood transfusion that day. It was a very long day at UCLA but as soon as we got home,Dale jumped right into his homework and math test. He worked hard until about 9:30pm. The following morning Dale woke up about 6:00 am complaining of a stomach ache. It progressively became worse and he suddenly became very weak and pale. We rushed him to Miller's Children's Hospital in Long Beach where his nurses, Terri and Monica and the rapid response team worked quickly to stablize him. His Hgb/Hct then was down to 4 and 12. The doctors told us he was bleeding possibly from an ulcer having been on high dose steroids but most likely it was due to his failing liver. Because he lost so much blood in a short time, Dale started experiencing seizures. He was rushed to the PICU where he was intubated (breathing tube placed). The team worked for hours trying to stablize his blood pressure and stop the bleeding. By late afternoon, Dale's oncologist for the last 7 and 1/2 years called to tell me that Dale is in God's hands now . He instructed us to start calling our family and friends. Dale was alert for most of the day, nodding and shaking his head to answer our questions. Many of his friends and family came to say good - bye. Auntie Millie and Uncle Eric hopped on the next flight out and arrived in LA at 5:30 am on 3/16. We were told Dale would not make it through the night but he waited for them. Dale passed shortly after they arrived with mom, dad, Danny and Derek closely at his side and surrounded by so many that loved him dearly. Dale fought courageously until the end. I promised him we would never forget him and that he would live in our hearts forever. I asked him to send a rainbow to let us know he made to heaven ok. Later that evening , there was a rainbow sighting around 6:00 to 6:30pm. The sky was particularly beautiful that day. Losing Dale is by far the most difficult challenge I have every experienced. Bringing my 3 children into the world and loving them have been the best. The last words Dale spoke to me were " I don't want to die". Dale loved life and he lived his earthly life to the fullest. Dale fulfilled his purpose on earth in 9 years. Now he will have eternal life. Dale passed on 3/16. 3:16 are the numbers of hope as written in the bible verse John 3:16.... For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. This I feel is Dale's message to us. Thank you for your love, support and prayers during Dale battle against leukemia. Dale's blood tests showed that Derek's stem cells had completely engrafted and his leukemia was no longer detectable in the blood. It brings us comfort to know that Dale did not die of leukemia but of liver failure , a complication of the Donor Leukocyte Infusion. We miss him dearly. Life is certainly not the same without him. As a dear friend had shared with me, Dale's body is now perfect and he is finally healed. May this bring peace to us all and sustain us until we are reunited with Dale. " This bright young life was a light in the world, a candle of hope, warmth, and laughter. This bright young life has departed too soon but will shine in our hearts ever after." Grace and peace to you all....... Juliann