Coming to you from home. From outta that hospital. 33 days after going in. They told me it would be 42 days and I got out in 33.
I'm temporarily at Mom & Dad's until the work is finished at my house....we expected that I would get home Saturday and that is when the work is scheduled to be finished.
The biggest reason for early release was clearing of my lungs. I no longer needed the oxygen mask. which blew damp air into my hearing aids. dried out my mouth, etc. But was necessary to keep the blood oxygen level above 90. This morning the Respiratory Therapist put his little thing on my finger without the mask and it said 95. So he had me put the mask on and it said 97. So he dialed back the oxygen level.
No IV pole.
No oxygen mask.
I go back to the outpatient clinic for the bone marrow biopsy tomorrow morning.
Friends John Dvorak and LeAnn Zimmerman were kind enough to rush out to Overland Park with a walker for me this evening. During this stay in the hospital I've learned that when they say, let's do this, you just have to be ready.
and when home noise started bouncing around today I came home. Jerra came over and she and Mom stripped everything pretty much out of Mom's bedroom so I would have a clean place to sleep. Mari is sleeping with me tonight...I don't get around so good yet.
I am so grateful to be home. So grateful to have so many friends. I have no pain, just weakness and a bony little head. No visitors for a while. This phase will be building strength to prepare for the bone marrow transplant in the next weeks and months.
So thank you everyone. Updates may be less frequent for a while. And look for me on email and as the hearing improves, I'll be on the phone too.
Cathi
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16 comments:
Hello Cathi
I'm having a restless night (you know that feeling!) so got up to potter for a while, and logged on to see your FANTASTIC news!
You must be over the moon to be out of that hospital and at home. Your progress over the last week is just amazing. You're such a star.
Just take it easy and build up your strength for the next phase.
lots of love #2 GOT
Cathi, Welcome Home or at least HAPPY UNHOSPITAL. You give me chills with the great news. Keep up the good work! I'll keep praying for you. Love and Hugs. Linda
Yeah Rah Rah Cathi.
Congratulations!!! That is very exciting news!!! I hope you and Mari have a fine time tonight in your new living quarters :) Keep up the positive thinking and your goals...you are doing awesome!
We love you very much!
Mags and Craig
Can you hear the collective sigh of relief from around the world? This is such wonderful news Cathi!
I hope you sleep well tonight, especially without the hospital staff to wake you up every hour to see if you are sleeping! haha.
Am still keeping my fingers crossed that all goes well with the biopsy on Wednesday (or are you going to take another day off?)
Hurrah hurrah hurrah on beating the doctors' prediction of 44 days!!! Your fighting spirit is incredible.
love, gail
That's amazing!!!!!!
I can't believe how fast you have turned around. You are a strong soul.
Congratulations!!!!!
At this rate you'll definitely be taking home your own gold medal.
Keep Swimming!
Love you,
Carla
Holy Moley!!!! I guess we got that crap out of your garage barely in the nick of time!
Hey, and you actually got to ride in a car? I'll bet you will find a lot of things absolutely amazing that you used to take for granted.
Eat well, sleep well, do your exercises or whatever PT you need and build up a reserve of strength for the next phase.
Remember, when you're ready and Mom says it's OK, that pan of THE cookie is waiting for you.
Love ya,
Judy
What can we say except...AWESOOME news...you are a marvel. Take it easy. Continue to mind what may seem like an unending line of people with good intentions and remember we all love ya. This made my week
Christie
Dear Cathi,
I am speechless! What a wonderfully swift turn of events. It warms my heart to know that you are with your family and on your way home to gain strength for the next leg in the journey to your recovery.
ROCK ON CATHI!
Love, Prayers, and Hope for your next hurdle. I know you will clear the bar!!!
Nina
PS-Guess I'm never really speechless.
WOOT WOOT!! Hurray!! Can't stop cheering; my dogs want to know what's going on...you're out of the hospital, in no pain, groovin' and movin'.
Great news! Good luck for today; I hope it all goes smoothly and you're back tucked into (a real) bed asap.
xox
love, robbie
Hooray for being, home!! You are amazing - I'm with you all the way, Cathi!
Good Morning,
Well we are all doing the happy dance this morning. Couldn't hear any better news just take it easy and don't over do it. Let others take care of you for a change.
Love Ya
GOT#3
OK am making reservations for lunch. Can't hold on much longer!
Good for you working so hard to get better.
My best Gal is on the mend!
Crazy Dave
Hi Cathi,
That's so wonderful that you are out of the hospital. I know you will grow so much stronger in the comfort of your own home and no one will be waking you up to check some vital.
Just an update on the Mama Mia evening out - We met my boss and his wife and we went to eat at Garozzo's in Lee's Summit. The food was great. We caught the 7:40 show and we enjoyed it so much. It made me appreciate the live play even more. Meryl Streep does a great job and has a great voice. It's a good thing Pierce Brosnan is gorgeous because he sure can't sing. We love the Abba music. I would highly recommend the movie. Put that on your list of "things to do".
Rest up, build your strength slowly and you'll be feeling strong again real soon.
Debbie K.
Hello Cathi,
Wonderful news to hear you are out of hospital. Good to have your family caring for you. Pleased to know you are responding to treatment. Hoping the next stage will be as successful for you.
Sending love & good wishes,
from Janet's Mum & Dad
Hi Cathi,
Oh YEAH! So I see you are out on good behavior. Way to go! I can't imagine how freeing it must feel although it will feel even more so after you get your energy and marrow back!
We had the pleasure of having lunch with Conor yesterday before leaving the "Windy City" for Toledo. Had a wonderful conversation and great food. It was great to catch up with him. I don't think we have seen eachother since Grandma Snells funeral in 2000. He is all grown up now!
Please keep us updated on the blog every now and then. I had withdrawals this weekend while we were away. Luckily I would call home and my Mom would give me updates, and of course I had some updates during lunch yesterday.
Love,
Cheryl
Party hats and horns for this occasion. THis is as good as a New Years Eve party at your house Cathi!
Hope you weren't waking up thru the night wondering where the nursing crew was at. Love and hugs and celebration!
Sara
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