Christmas in Langley and Back to Victoria

I didn't really write much of anything in my last blog post so here's a quick update to fill you in on what's happened over the course of this past week:

I was officially discharged from the hospital last Sunday, December 21st, which happened to be my mom's 60th birthday! Kaitlin picked me up at the hospital, and I returned to my parents' house in Langley where Mom, Dad, and Jean were standing at the end of the driveway with a "Welcome Home Chris" banner.

Getting discharged so quickly was better than anything I could have hoped for, because before the process began I was told that my recovery time in the hospital (post-transplant) would be 2-3 weeks. This would mean I'd be in the hospital for 3-4 weeks total, and since I was admitted a week-and-a-half late, we were all expecting that I would be in the hospital on Christmas. Well, my blood counts rose quickly and the chemo side-effects didn't last too long, so I was discharged after only 11 days post-transplant! Total time in the hospital? Only 17 days.

Monday - the first full day at home - was pretty difficult. I was still extremely fatigued, dazed, confused, and headachy, and spent most of the day sleeping.

On Tuesday, I had to wake up early for my first outpatient appointment at the BMT Day Care Unit. Kaitlin and I drove to the hospital, and after we checked my vitals, the nurse took some blood and sent it to the lab.

This was supposed to be the first of several outpatient appointments over the next two weeks, so imagine our surprise when my doctor came into the room and informed us that my bloodwork looked great and he would be removing my Hickman line now. That was it? I was done? No more hospital? No more appointments? Yes!

I asked if I could keep my Hickman line for a souvenir, and my doctor said sure. After it was removed, the nurse went to clean it. Upon her return, she told us that several other doctors had been giving her grief, worrying that I might do "something illicit" with it. Hah! Like what? Put it in someone else? "Hey kid... want a Hickman line? Now hold still... I just have to insert it in your chest cavity and down your jugular vein. Yes, I know it hurts... I said hold still!"

Kaitlin said I should sell it on eBay: "Used Hickman Line - Only $35!"

Oh yeah... this photo reminds me to mention that my hair has all fallen out now. I knew it would happen this way: Once I was discharged from the hospital I finally started to look like a cancer patient! Luckily I kept my eyebrows this time, but the doctor said it could take up to two months for my hair to grow back. I guess I don't look that much different, but I feel naked without my beard!

Also, if you think I look slimmer in this photo, you would be correct. I lost 8-9 lbs in the hospital.

Kaitlin's parents came over from Victoria on Christmas Eve, and spent the next couple days with us in Langley. It was wonderful to have both sides of our family together, and even though I was constantly exhausted and feeling like crap, Christmas was really nice!

Boxing Day came and went, and on Saturday, December 27th, Kaitlin and I packed our things and headed back to Victoria.

I wish I hadn't forgotten about my camera until the last day because it would have been nice to have Kaitlin's parents in this photo as well, but here's a shot of all of us right before we headed out. From left to right we have me, Kaitlin, Jeff (brother), Jean (sister) Cory (brother-in-law), Reed and Aven (my parents). Missing: Gord & Darlana Ball (Kaitlin's parents).
It feels so good to be home. I was away from Victoria just short of five weeks for this whole ordeal, and I am so relieved that it's basically over. Thank goodness my parents live on the mainland and were able to take care of me. I love you, Mom and Dad! This would have been a great deal harder if I had to find somewhere to stay in Vancouver... not to mention all the other details such as transportation and food.

So... what now?

I have to go to the lab for bloodwork once a week for the first month, and then once a month after that. At the end of January, I need to return to Vancouver for a follow-up appointment with my stem cell doctor, and at the beginning of February I have a check-up with my oncologist in Victoria. Sometime in March I will head back to Vancouver for a PET Scan to determine if my cancer is in remission again.

That's a long time to wait to find out if this whole thing worked, but one of my doctors told me that it actually takes awhile for the high dose chemo and transplant to do their thing. Even though the "formal" process is complete, my cancer is apparently still being destroyed as I write this. Woah.

In terms of this blog, I am going to take a break from it for awhile and focus on myself... and my increasingly pregnant wife! My healing process is going to be long and slow, as I've been told it will take anywhere from 3-6 months until I am back to "normal" in terms of energy, strength, focus, comprehension, concentration, etc.

I might write a post after I see my stem cell doctor or oncologist again if there is anything interesting to report, but other than that I will likely not write again until I have the results of my PET scan in March.

Thank-you to everyone - family, friends, strangers - for standing so close to my side during all of this. So many of you sent me cards, messages, emails, prayers, and letters of support. So many of you visited me in the hospital and brought me food, books, pick-me-ups, and things to do. So many of you have offered support in so many creative ways (such as offering up your apartment parking space one block from the hospital for an entire month), and in doing so you have all helped me to survive the most difficult process I have ever had to go through.

I feel unbelievably loved and cared for.

Thank you.

Christopher