DAY+25

Well, today is day +25... i think, the days are getting away from me!
Friday's appointment with Dr Uberti was all we hoped for. Brett got the big OK to head home! And needless to say we were out of there as quickly as we could.
We arrived in Mason around 5:30 Friday night to a huge sign hung on the garage door - WELCOME HOME BRETT, from my sister and her kids. That was the best sign we've ever seen! And to walk into this house together was even better than when we moved in. We had pasta for dinner that was cooked on our own stove, and served in our own bowls. And the bed... wow what a feeling to crawl in to that bed with Brett next to me.
I was home for a few nights by myself. Last Sunday night I headed home alone so that I could go back to work for a few days. It wasn't easy but I did it. Work was a good reality check. Finally, a little be of normalcy to make me remember that life does go on.
Jim and Sherry stayed with Brett at the hotel until Thursday night when I returned to take over. Brett is still not able to be left alone so we made sure the transition of caregivers went without laps of time. We woke Friday morning and made the decision that we were going to be as positive as we could and pack up! Of course I was concerned that we were going to be jinxing ourselves but Brett was confident that this was the best plan. If he got the ok he was going to be out of there and quick! Can you blame the guy? The hotel was nice and the walks thru Birmingham neighborhoods he was able to take (twice a day, way to go Brett) were a nice change of pace from the hospital. But he wanted to go back home where he could do his own thing.
The appointment was good, besides the fact that we got the OK to go home! His counts are doing what they expect. WBC are a little lower so they are tapering one of his immuno-suppressant drugs to twice a day. Which he likes! Less pills to remember to take. BUT he was given orders to give himself the dreaded neupogen shot. I don't know if I ever mentioned the issues Brett has had in the past with this medication that is used to boost your white cells. The shot itself is no big deal... but the side effects that Brett experiences are not ones we'd like to relive. In short, bone pain so severe that he was put on a morphine pump during his chemo treatments here in Lansing. So far he's tolerating the shot just fine and thank goodness they only want him to take one shot to give a quick boost to those cells. The less of the medication the better the chances are that he will get through it without any problems.
I can't describe to you all how well Brett's doing. His energy level and appetite are coming back slow but sure. His walk has more purpose these days, the sluggishness is slowing disappearing.
He just keeps amazing me.
I told him how everyone keeps saying how proud they are of him. He just responds with why? He doesn't understand what there is to be proud of. "Isn't this what everyone does when faced with this?" ummmmm ....NO...
Today I talked with his nurse Patty (she's also my boss and a wonderful friend!)and she said the same... she's so proud of him. She also said Brett just doesn't understand how some of us, when faced with all that he's been through, would not be able to dig in as deep and fight like he has. She's right, she and I have both seen other people given this diagnosis and just fall apart. Now, don't get me wrong this has been a long, hard fright for Brett that I know he would have liked to have said "screw this" and just not do anything. But he found his strength and courage and he fought.
The fight is still on... Brett's battle continues... there are still many days ahead that are uncertain... many more appointments to go to... many more pills to take... but I know he can do it. I have faith in him.
He has so many prayers being said... so much love being sent... so many people wanting to help (thank you everyone)... so many cards with words of encouragement...so much medical technology available, that he has no choice but to go on and win!

peace, love and happiness until my next post