Keeps Getting Better

I am ecstatic to report that yesterday was the best day of my life (to date). I can't think of another day that could top this. I woke up feeling like I'd barely slept when the doctors came in. We started discussing like we normally do...keep drinking, switching meds, etc. However; after that, Doctor Salzberg announced that my platelets were OFFICIALLY ENGRAFTED. To be "officially engrafted" they have to hold consistently for over 5 days. I have gone without a platelet infusion for 8 days. Shortly after, the doctors reported that, "Oh, so have your red blood cells." ALL THREE OF MY CELL LINES HAVE ENGRAFTED. I wasn't aware of the qualifications for being "officially engrafted" because I thought that it would be a long while for that to take place. I was so elated to hear the news yesterday. Now, this doesn't mean I will never have a transfusion again. They warned me that I should not feel defeated if another infusion was the case. My counts can and will still fluctuate up and down. But this is a huge step! I was giddy with excitement yesterday. All I could do was pray and thank God for this HUGE blessing that I am oh so thankful for. I thanked Grandpa,who we all know, is in the passenger seat, and I thanked Ryan Paul. He won't take any credit, but I say he's earned some. Not only did I receive that news yesterday, but I was completely unhooked for the first time in 31 days. Plus, we are still on track for Monday! What a day.

Thanks to so many of you who have helped power clean my house before my homecoming. I am so excited not only to go home, but to a home that is clean. To give you an idea of the depth they went into while cleaning...they cloroxed every wall, scrubbed the tile with a tooth brush, and moved all of the furniture out to reach every spot. Not only did they do this to my room, but the entire house. Mom says they are giving me every chance to stay infection free.

We are continuing to prepare for Monday. Slowly, the pink palace has begun to lose its decor each trip someone heads home. I had my last physical therapy. The Apothocary store brought my medications for home. These are all signs that we are moving in the right direction.

I will go home on 12 hour nutrition through my Broviac. I am not yet able to meet the 2500 caloric need. (Pshh, before that was easy.) It won't be too bad though. I will only be hooked up overnight and even less than that in the near future.

I know this journey isn't over, but boy does it feel good to be sitting where we are. Only 10 months ago everything seemed to go so wrong. Now, it's all going so right! I am so thankful for that. I'm thankful for my family who have been there every day and night. I am so thankful for you, all of my friends, who have given me so much inspiration each and every day. There will be an obstacle(s) to overcome, but sitting here and looking at how far we've come, I know we can handle it.