Making Plans ... to Head Home!

What a difference a week makes!  Last Friday, Fred was beside himself.  Back pain and sleepless nights with seemingly no end in sight had caused him so much anxiety.  I had never seen him like this. The plan was PT and an appointment with a specialist.  But this huge campus is so incredibly busy, they were having problems getting an appointment for him. The transplant coordinators, Mary and Laurie, really understood Fred’s personal sense of urgency and worked extra hard on facilitating alternative solutions. [Thank you!!!!]

We have been driving to a Nebraska Med Center in Bellevue for his PT.  Dr. McCashland changed up some meds and even let us know there was a Plan B, should this not work.  Aaaah!  Big sigh. Carmen’s visit helped turn a corner as well. 

Yesterday, on one of our walks, we made it to the ConAgra Corporate Campus.  I stopped to take a picture of the clock to show Carmen how far Fred had walked.  I think Fred was close to cooked because he would not even stop. BUT, he did not slow down, either.  Here's a shot of how far ahead of me he got!

Today, at clinic we actually discussed the possibility of him continuing the recovery process at home and we have a plan:   We are going to fly home on Wednesday!

Fred will be down to labs 2x a week.  He will have home health care here tomorrow and Tuesday and will line up his Thursday lab draw next week at UCLA.  Nebraska Med will be in close contact, managing his labs and meds from afar.  Last PT in Nebraska – tomorrow.  Next week – Burbank!   The only questions were really about caloric intake and they were going to check with the dietician to see if he needs to increase it .... and if so, by how much?

When they told us the news that we could go home, I was flooded with an overwhelming sense of gratitude that I balled.  We are so blessed that God led us here.  Blessed that Fred was in the care of such a talented and compassionate team.  There were so many people who contributed to this miracle, I was sad that I could not thank every single one of them.  I am glad I thought to nab this shot of Fred and Mary before we left today.  Adorable!

Fred's transplant was August 1st -- exactly one month ago.  Coincidentally, September 1st is cause for celebration at our apartment.  One year ago the new building opened.  It seemed only fitting that we come home to a celebration and cake.

Happy 1-Month Birthday, Fred's New Liver, oh, and Happy Bday Corvina, too!

By no means is this journey over and we know there is a long hard road ahead.  It will just be soo good to walk that road in our community with our family and friends all the closer. 

And man, are we going to miss the high-larity, inspiration, and daily reminders that we are loved, from sweet, sweet Jeanette!