WiseMindedLiving

Ryleigh was officially engrafted on Tuesday and that enabled her to get some time out and about on the third floor. She ventured to the playroom that was reserved for her as she could not be with anyone else besides Chloe and I. Chloe and Ryleigh played air hockey and Wii…enjoying time together laughing and just having fun. It was pure joyfulness at it’s best.

In order for Ryleigh to be discharged from the hospital I had to make a new friend….Chester.

I had to learn how to properly change Ryleigh’s dressing for her central venous catheter or CVC, heparin lock her line (so the line won’t clot) , and change the ends of the line. In order for Ryleigh to be let out of the hospital in my care, I had to be able to demonstrate that I could do these three things. The nurses spent a few days guiding me through the steps and I was lucky enough to have Chester to practice on.

This morning I did my final “test” and demonstrated my new learned skills so that we could get the green light to be discharged. I packed up the room and it took 3 trips to the car to get all the stuff we had brought out of the room. I left the hospital this time feeling confident that this was a good experience (for once) and that Ryleigh is completely without pain and discomfort. It was worth all of the sacrifices the three of us have made. I am proud of how we all managed during this challenging time.

When things go well it feels great! It has been surprising and I will admit strange that there were no major issues during Ryleigh’s stem cell transplant process. After all the heartbreaking news the last few years it is a different place for me to be feeling so relieved and confident that Ryleigh is going to get some relief. But, I will not question or waste a moment of the positive energy that currently drifts around the apartment.

Staying for six weeks on the oncology unit was bittersweet. I met some amazing families facing tremendously difficult situations. I met parents that were kind enough to let me into their lives and take the time to talk and visit with me. Being so far away from my family and friends…I really appreciated the time they took away from their children to listen to my ramblings and support me as I took a break from room 8. Many of the families experienced good news and results from the treatments they were getting. But sadly even all the amazing care, treatments, and love cannot keep a child with their family. It was heart wrenching to get to know a family and then in one night find out they had lost their little boy. The strength and and courage that families face here is so inspiring. I am grateful that I have two lovely, teenage daughters that have survived. I will never take that for granted and will spend the rest of my life cherishing and loving every precious moment I have with them.

Ryleigh is now a post transplant outpatient. She goes for her first follow up appointment on Monday. We spent our first night having enjoying our home cooked dinner and just being in each other’s presence in the apartment. Although her counts are good (somewhat normal) she is dangerously immune suppressed. One of the doctors explained that it is because her bone marrow is producing brand new cells that may not quite yet know their job. So if she is faced with bacteria or viruses her body may not know how to handle things. Until they get settled and her immune system is working well again she has to be careful. She has certain foods she cannot eat, I have to cook using strict foodsafe practices, and she cannot go out in public without a mask. We also need to keep the house clean and dusted. Chloe was a real help in getting the final things done on the apartment last night– dusting, vacuuming, and bleaching floor, counters, etc. I also got our car detailed — got rid of all possible contaminants.

All is well in our world right now…great to be able to say that. At least 4 more weeks in Vancouver and then we are planning on heading home!!! Blessed we are.