Today has to be one of the happiest days of my life. The morning started off with news of a 4500 white blood cell count and no need for any transfusions. The doctor rushed through the discharge papers as we were all packed up and ready to go. They sent us away with hugs, good-wishes, and an extensive list of do's and don'ts at home.
When we arrived at the house, my mom cried. She kissed the doorway in excitement! I followed her around the house while she blissfully looked in each room. She kept saying, "I just never thought I would see my house again." After a couple laps around the house, she showered, ate lunch (an entire mini-pizza) at the kitchen table, and then crawled in her cozy bed for a much-needed and well-deserved nap.
I am so thankful to so many people who helped get us all through this mess. A long list of beautiful nurses, an intelligent team of doctors, my strong stepdad, and all my friends and family sending us positive thoughts from home. It is just such a miracle! or pretty damn amazing science.
We are definitely not in the clear. She has to be watched closely for infection, visit the clinic once a day for bloodwork, have a couple minor surgeries, receive monthly pulmonary tests, and maintain a special diet for immuno-suppressed patients that is low in Vitamin K (as to not counter the blood thinners) and high in cancer fighting nutrients all while having little to no appetite. Mandi and I are on it! She will get a scan on day +100 to see if the cancer is gone and then will regain her energy level between 6 months and a year. In the meantime, she has to stay away from public places until her wbc completely recover. She is able to have limited visitors and can't be around kids at all. It's no picnic, but it's all just an inconvenice compared to the mountain she just climbed.
Thank goodness, the hard part has passed. Now on to a new life for us all. Our new mantra is: New Cells. New Rules, which basically means she needs to stop living her life out of obligation and start living in the present for herself! I love you mom!
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