The second came when the phone rang and Peter announced that his platelets had soared to 138000! Even more importantly his Neutrophils had climbed to 1.004, the number we had been waiting for. The number that meant the white blood cells, now at 1.6, were doing their job in cleaning up the inflammation on Peter's leg. He was taken off antibiotics.
Dr. Boyd came to see Peter around 11 and told him he could go home this weekend. Joyous news after a 3 1/2 week long hospital stay. Remission successful.
What came next was sobering. Yes, Peter will go home, but only for 2 or 3 weeks. After that he will return to Maine Med for another round of 24/7 chemo, this time with a different cocktail. The chance of the cancer recurring is too big and therefore Dr. Boyd wants to wipe out the blood and platelets again to make sure the bone marrow is clean. She also suggested going to Farber while Peter is at home to inform ourselves about further possible treatments.
Peter wants to concentrate on getting his strength back in the 2 to 3 weeks at home. I want to concentrate on helping him do that in every way I can. We plan to take walks, each day a little longer to get Peter's strength back. Food, which we consider to be an important part of healing, will play an important role. While in the hospital Peter requested to have our big meals at lunch time and we will continue with that. Peter's appetite has been very good, but he likes to eat small portions and I always make something he has
a hankering for that day. We are looking forward to leading a normal life at a more leisurely pace than the past 3 1/2 weeks. I will have Peter next to me at night and won't be hugging his pillow any more.....It will be a Zen kind of time, quiet and restorative.
Yesterday Christina brought this adorable and delicious Linzertorte just in time for tea! She had knitted another beanie for Peter, this one in indigo colored cotton yarn. He looks smashing in it.
Bessie made her signature carrot soup for dinner. We ate every bit of it together with the gruyere sticks she had baked.
As Peter said...it's nice to have friends. Friends who are good cooks.
7 comments:
Such lovely lovely news. Peter, you are amazingly strong and your body shows you how well it can fight this.
The road ahead is long and this is your work now, and you do it with such grace and beauty. You both continue to model life for me and I am grateful to be a small part of yours.
I cheer you on these last days of hospital life!!
Christina and Bessie, if you are reading this, YUM YUM, you're wonderful.
xxoo
Hurray! Peter's coming home! I'm so, so happy for you both. Although Peter has to return to the hospital again for further treatment, it can be seen in a positive light. During this battle the medical team have a "take no prisoners" approach. Sicher ist sicher!
All my love and prayers go out to you, Peter! And enjoy that delicious Linzertorte!
Hugs and kisses, Irene
Dear Peter, Dear Jutta, we are so happy you have made it so brilliantly to this important milestone while making all your friends jealous of your wonderful meals. Now some lovely rest and strengthening at home which you both richly deserve. Enjoy! Much love, Joan and David
That is such great news!
And to be able to go home to your own shower, bed, chair, house. How wonderful for you both.
The torte was beautiful and yes , what he needs is restorative, lovingly made food. Obviously you have that covered. :)))
I hope the leg continues it's improvement.
Andrew and I are so happy for you.
So happy for you both that Peter will soon be back home! Even though you're halfway through the treatment, the result so far has been spectacular! It's wonderful that your doctors are so diligent and caring. Peter, you'll get your strength back soon under Jutta's care. We send you waves of positive energy and love,
Monica and Gregg
Salam aleikum
war für einen kurzen Trip in Marokko und habe an euch gedacht und darüber nachgedacht, wie ihr dieses Land bereist habt.
Kaum komme ich zurück, lese ich da die tolle Nachricht. Das ist einfach soo cool.
Jutta: Your extraordinary postings about this journey you and Peter are on warm my heart, worry my mind . . . and make me so hungry. Much love to you both. / claudia
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