There's No Place Like Home

Home again. My white blood cell count has rebounded quickly with today's reading of 1,800 and my doctors freed me this afternoon, but not without sending me home with two types of antibiotics and some potassium supplements. I'm quite happy to be home.

I was transferred to the VG yesterday morning (you can't believe how happy I was to leave the emergency department, wonderful staff but a real mixed-bag of patients). I was transferred between hospitals in the patient transfer ambulance and set up in a room on one of the oncology floors by noon on Sunday.

The staff got me settled into a bed, one which I'm happy to say was adjustable and wide enough to lie on without fear of accidentally rolling off. They started up my IVs again of fluids and antibiotics. I'm not sure (I admit I lost count) but I believe I've had six bags of antibiotics, maybe seven, fed into my veins since I entered the emergency room on Saturday.

Kelly came over shortly after I was settled in and brought me a book, left her deck of cards and ran to the cafeteria to get me a bagel and a coffee instead of letting me eat the solid scrambled eggs and diced carrots which were being served for lunch.

Rob came by with more goodies including my PJs, a book and three presents from my Joy Box. As he so astutely asked, "when do you need joy more than when you're in the hospital?" Pretty good point. The presents included a package of note paper, an address book and note pad, hand cream and green tea. He also got me a puzzle book from the gift shop to help keep me occupied after he left for the evening.

My sides are sore from coughing so much over the last few days. The cough got worse in there because the air is so dry, and doctors don't like suppressing coughs because this can mask other issues.

The staff at the VG was awesome. Last night the nurse brought towels and basins of water around. When I explained I had been warned by Cancer Center staff to not even splash hospital water on my face, she took it away and refilled it with sterile water she heated in the microwave. Then she washed my back and put lotion on it for me. After having been in the ER for almost 24 hours it felt almost decadent. I certainly slept better than the night before, but my cough did keep waking me and I ended up reading for an hour in the middle of the night.

This morning my oncologist was around visiting bright and early. She was very pleased with how quickly my counts were rebounding. She did indicate I'll have to take injections of something after my next chemo treatment to ensure my white blood cell count doesn't drop as far again. I told her I was meeting with the genetics team next week prior to my appointment with her and she was very excited about that piece of news. Then Dr. Younis (my doctor's supervisor) also checked me out. It was the first time since the initial consultation in February that I'd seen him. He seemed very pleased with how well the tumors have responded to chemo.

Now I'm home and ready to curl up on the couch with my pups and nap a little. Thank you everyone for your ongoing support and prayers.

Watch for an upcoming special guest blog this week about the Relay for Life.