Wednesday I returned to the Bone Marrow Clinic, 6 floors below Unit 57 - just enough room to realize that I was walking in as an out-patient. After bloodwork, fluids and a visit from Dr. Brown, I was officially discharged from Unit 57 - my wristbands were cut!
My bloodwork continued to look stellar. The pharmacist gave me my pages of prescriptions to fill (Douglasdale pharmacy LOVES me) and Dr. Brown outlined the list of precautions to follow (no crowds, no sick people/kids, hand washing, immunesuppressed diet, etc.) as well as symptoms to call or come into the hospital immediately. Basically any change in any part of my body is possibly GVHD! He also indicated I could not drive for at least another week and maybe longer depending on what drugs I am still on. I reported some changes in skin, bone pain, headache, nausea, bowel activity and fatigue. In the end, he said he reserved the right to call me in at any time, but that I would need to at least come back Monday for bloodwork and then next Wednesday to see him. Wow. A pretty great visit overall, the best part being it was just a "visit".
The days this week have really evaporated. Each day by the time I get breakfast, pills, shower, change my dressing and apply my various creams, it is lunchtime and more pills. Then I usually need a rest for an hour and a half. I have more pills with dinner and then at 10 pm when I get ready for bed. Not too much actual time in between all of that to get anything done, like laundry or making my bed! And with my fatigue, I'm really not capable of more than that and perhaps a slow walk around the block. I'm not explaining this to complain, I'm outlining it so that you don't worry that I'm bored or something! Not bored. At all. And if you don't see a post, it's likely I wore myself out my putting away some clothes and just ran out of the energy! All that said, I love my simple life right now and I know that every day I am getting just a little stronger, and managing the side effects a bit more strategically, every day.
A highlight of the week, other than discharge, was Wednesday evening, when my brother called over to see if we wanted to drop by to see the boys (and him and Dana!). I had quite a bit of
bone pain, but did not want to miss out on seeing Davis and Jack after so long. I couldn't touch them, but was thrilled to be entertained by them for around 45 minutes. They had just returned from a long weekend with lots of Dana's family and cousins, so they were ready to tell and show all the new things they could do. Daisy even made the trip, which added to the excitement as they love to see her (and Jack likes to imitate her) Pure joy.
The Calgary Stampede started last night and you can almost hear the "Yahoo" in Douglasdale. Clearly I won't be heading there this year, but will do some yahooing myself at home. It's sure great to be out. I hope you enjoy being out too this weekend. Again, many many thanks for all the prayers, thoughts, Qi and energy. Yahoo to you!
