July 4, 2022 Update - DAY 61

Chocolate Cake With Chocolate Ice Cream 

What a day.  Despite putting it out there in the universe, Jackie was discharged from the hospital this afternoon.  First of all, YAY!!  Secondly, my mind keeps returning to an image from probably many movies.  You know,  all you see is a dusty road, a huge brick wall with a normal sized door (sometimes the door is also ridiculously big) and someone outside waiting for their loved one to be released from jail.  Yup, you know the one.  Well just like Joliet Jake or Danny Ocean, it feels like my gal got sprung today.

It has been a long road to get to this point. It was a road full of bumps, ups and downs, hairpin turns, loose gravel and absolutely no shoulders.  But we white knuckled it. There were a few stretches where we lost control and many sections where it felt like we were stuck spinning our tires. I'm sure we even had to walk a good portion, but we did.  Jackie did.  

Typically, most BMT patients are released around the four week (DAY 28) mark. If you recall in previous posts, Jackie was on track for this, even earlier. With the onset of several issues relating to GVHD and her Crohn's disease, her released date was pushed back several times.  Enough times that we simply stopped discussing potential discharge dates and focused on the task or tasks at hand. 

But today, on DAY 61, Jackie is at a point that she could be released.  It is exciting that she has finally been discharged, but what is even more exciting is the fact that she has overcome many issues and obstacles and her health is now at a point where she can be discharged.  Her numbers are good, many of the GVHD symptoms have resolved and her appetite is slowly returning to her pre-treatment level.

Although, DAY 61 is a benchmark day, we know the journey is not over.  There are still going to be bumps in the road and there is also a good chance that Jackie could be admitted to hospital, which is why we need to stay in Calgary until at least DAY 100 post transplant.  There are still many restrictions as there also many risks.  Again, as Jackie's immune system is still new and (for lack of a better term) immature, we have to be diligent to ensure we minimize and mitigate all potential risks.  As a part of this, her care team is proactively treating her for viral, bacterial and fungal issues.  Jackie is also one of the first people in the province to receive the COVID BA2 antibodies.  

After six months, Jackie will be able to start her "newborn" immunizations again.  It will take several years for her immune system to completely develop.

Hey Mike, you ask, what does chocolate cake and ice cream have to do with all this?  

Absolutely nothing.

Thanks for reading.

Mike