Home Sweet Home

Well we made it, we finally made it.  I have never been so excited to be home, and never before has home felt so much like home.  

Last week Friday, which now feels like so long ago, we went to the clinic so Sarah could receive a litre of fluid before the weekend trip to Banff.  She was topped up and then we continued to pack and clean up the apartment.  I am quite surprised at how much stuff we ended up having at the apartment but we did manage to fit it all in and make it home.  At about 2 Sarah's Dad and Margaret arrived and we were on our way to Banff, it was a fantastic weekend, it was so nice to get away from the apartment in the first place but to get away and go to a beautiful place like Banff made it much more enjoyable.  On Saturday we went up the gondola and enjoyed the view of Banff from up there.  The food and company was great so thanks to both of you very much!

On Monday morning we made it to the clinic, albeit a little late thanks to Ryan and his wife Sarah.  Sarah still had her pic line in so they started to draw the blood work.  The blood work this week was a big one, I think they stole 14 tubes of her blood, so they gave her a litre of fluid while we waited for the doctor to meet with us.  The doctor finally came to meet with us only to tell us that the bone marrow test results still hadn't arrived.  I think this worried Sarah and I at first but they were quick to tell us that we would still be able to go home.  Some of the blood work came back from that morning and we were told that her counts had increased again.  The doctor also told us that they aren't too concerned about the bone marrow results because everything else leads them to believe that things are going well.  They also said that they will call us if there is anything that concerns them with the bone marrow test.  They sent us on our way home with a few things to look out for.  Sarah has to be careful not to over exert herself and she also has to do her best not to get sick.  We don't have another appointment until January 10, but in the meantime Sarah will have some blood work done next week.  After the doctor cleared us to go the pic was pulled and we went to the apartment to start packing up the truck.  My friend Ryan wanted a lift to Edmonton so he was there and helped with the packing and cleaning which was really nice, because Sarah was able to watch us load up the truck and didn't have to carry anything.  We finally hit the road at 2:30 and were on our way, I think we were both amazed that the day had finally arrived.  For me it felt so fast, but then looking back and remembering all that we had been through it felt so long.  Needless to say we were both so excited to be on our way home.  We made it home at around six and started unloading the truck.  Linden was home first with Brenda and her girls.  It was so nice to see Linden in his own house, he was so excited to walk around and see all of his toys again.  He would pick up one toy play with it and then see another one and play with that one, he didn't know which toy to play with.  Selina arrived with Cael a little while later, finally all four of us where together in our own house.  It was a really emotional time, we are so happy and so thankful that we could be together and home again.  It is so nice to see the two boys together, its funny because it seems like they haven't missed a beat, Cael watches everything Linden does and Linden will bring Cael toys and gets excited when Cael wakes up from his nap.  It has been a huge adjustment for us, but it is so rewarding.  Last night while we were driving I said to Sarah that it feels so normal and routine already, being parents to our boys is something we both missed more than anything.  For now we are going to adjust to our new old life and enjoy Christmas.  

Sarah and I are planning to continue writing the blog, but for now we don't know how often, we both realize that this is the best way to let everyone know what is going on so keep this page bookmarked.  We are home, it feels so good to say/type that, I thought I would say it again.  Thank you so much to everyone who helped us out along this journey.  

K

...Sarah said she would write a blog entry tomorrow.

Cards in the hotel room

The view from the mountain top

The fluid top up before we came home

This is what kept Sarah going

Swimming

Hey Everyone,


I don't even know where to begin.  These last two weeks have been an emotional roller coaster ride for me.  Forget that, this whole thing has been an emotional roller coaster, ever since that day in May, which was one of the happiest, yet saddest days of my life.  Being diagnosed with leukemia, and giving birth to my second son Cael, all within a few hours of each other.  It's amazing how life can change in an instant.


I have been reading this blog from another women who has cancer.  Her husband writes:


You never know when its going to hit you,
that everything has happened
really just happened


Yesterday was that day for Leanne


The day that they couldn't
not with all the medicine in the world
get her numb.

These last two weeks have been like that.  I don't know if I have really looked back and gone through all the emotions.  I cry on a daily basis, thinking about everything, from getting sick, having Cael, going through the first round of treatment, and then remission.  Then learning I needed a stem cell transplant, and having to go to Calgary for three months - without my boys.  And in less then a week, it will all be over....it's done, I did it.

It still feels like a dream.  That I will wake up and be cancer free.

I cried during the procedure today, not because it hurt like hell, but because it was done.  This was the last step I needed to take to get home to the life I want back so badly.  I finally felt proud, proud of myself for getting this far and doing everything I could do to get to this point.  

I know when we get home there will still be Dr. appointments, tests and stuff, and we will have to hold our breath and wait for results.  I know I will have to careful not to get sick, rest lots and take care of myself.  But for now, the cancer is gone and I am going home.....and that is all that matters to me right now.

I know I've said it before, But thanks everyone, for your words, prayers, and thoughts.  They have done more than you know in helping me get though this.  I can't wait to see you all soon.

Sarah

Hello, 

I thought I would write a little bit today as well.  On Monday they discontinued the cyclosporine that Sarah has been on, this evening as she was eating a salad she asked me how soon after they cyclosporine stopped that she would start tasting food again.  I knew at that point that she was tasting what she was eating.  She has been eating quite well in the last couple days, but last week was a bit of a step back.  Sarah's weight had dropped a little bit at her appointment on Monday, but the dietician explained to me that her metabolism might have "woken up" and is working now.  We found out today that her platelets have gone up to 44, so that is promising news as well.  We were told about going home and how we have to be very careful not to expose Sarah to any diseases, so if you are sick or have been around someone who was sick, stay away from my wife!  

On Friday we went to a leukemia teaching where we were taught all about the disease and the treatment plans.  I think this was a little difficult for both of us as we reflected back on finding out and starting out the treatment and so on.  I think we are both feeling so many different emotions right now, it is hard to put a finger on what it is we are even feeling.  We both go from feeling excited and happy to feeling worried and down.  Getting back home is going to be so exciting, but each doctors appointment we will both be holding our breath, but I am sure it will get easier over time.  Sarah and I both are itching to get going home, I think these past few days have been hard, we want to start packing and cleaning but haven't started yet, because it probably won't take that long.  On Monday night we went out for dinner with Sarah's Calgary cousins, it was so much fun and Sarah really enjoyed the food.  

We don't have to go back to the clinic until Friday where Sarah will receive more fluid to get her through the weekend.  Sarah's Dad and Margaret are coming this weekend and we are going to Banff.  I said today that this weekend will be our last taste of retirement for awhile.  On Monday we have another appointment where we will meet with the doctor to review the bone marrow aspirate results (that test today).  I asked a few times and was told over and over again that we should be able to be on our way on Monday.  I know its going to be an exciting time, leaving this place, I bet we will even shed a few tears.  Anyways, thats it for tonight, I don't know when we will post again, but we will post again. 

K

This is the puzzle, thanks for those who helped...

Sarah has been listening to this song a lot since we got here, not everyone will like the music, but the lyrics are amazing.

Sunset view from our penthouse

76

In a few hours Sarah will have her Bone Marrow aspirate, we will post a blog sometime this afternoon to update y'all on how that went as well as yesterdays appointment.

Christmas Shopping

Hello Everyone,

It has been a boring several days here since we have returned from Edmonton.  I've learned that boring is okay when you have something to look forward too, especially when it feels so close.  This week has gone by real fast and I am sure next week will be just as fast.  We are both looking forward to returning home, and have even started talking about how we are going to pack up and clean up so we can get out of here asap.  Lately I have spent a lot of time on a puzzle, when I heard we were gone in two weeks I decided I would get down to business and try to finish this one.  I am getting close and I will be sure to post pictures of it when it is done, because it's taking me so long to complete.  Sarah has been doing some cross stitching which seems to occupy her time nicely.

We haven't gone to the clinic since Monday so that means things are going well, aside from a little bit of a rash which we will ask about next Monday.  Sarah is eating well and her drinking is alright, she has a bit of thrush so she says its a little harder to swallow liquids.  This morning we went to Humpty's so she could have some eggs and bacon which she was craving, at first she ordered scrambled but switched it to easy over, our server was nice enough to switch it without charging us for both.  We then went to do a little bit of Christmas shopping, it was nice to walk around and to be out and doing something.  

I forgot to add the pictures from my phone on Mondays blog so here are some more pictures from this past weekend.  See you Monday!

K 

Sarah and her boys.

Dale was determined to get Cael crawling properly.

Sarah and I were so happy to see our boys together again.  

Saturday morning all four of us were in bed together, It might not seem like much but it was so awesome

Just more of the two boys together

The big meal was nice for Sarah as she was able to try many different things.

Who gave this boy a pink blanket?

Linden and Cael

Happy Monday

Hello Everyone,

Well, I don't even know where to begin.  After a weekend in Edmonton with our boys and families, we got great news at clinic today.  News that I am still trying to take in, but I will get to that in a minute.

We were planning this Edmonton trip for awhile.  My Dad and Margaret had invited everyone for Sinterklaas as well as Margaret's birthday, and we really didn't want to miss out.  We waited to see what the doctor said on Thursday, and the verdict was no.  We weren't allowed to travel.  After a few tears were shed, I told Kurt I still wanted to go. And Kurt agreed.  So Friday morning we packed up and headed to Red Deer to pick up Linden.  We stayed for a bit there and then hit the road again, to Brenda's house.  She had already picked up Cael for us and he was waiting for us there.  We stayed there Friday night and went to Margaret and Dad's on Saturday.  It was a great time.  So good to see everyone and it felt like old times again.  We stayed at Brenda and Jerrid's again and then headed to Kurt's parents for lunch on Sunday.  Again, it was awesome to see everyone and it felt like just another Sunday lunch.  We left for Calgary around 4 pm and looked forward to when we would see everyone again.

So, about today.  Since we didn't have the best visit to the clinic last Thursday, I wasn't expecting anything to be different.  But the nurse that drew my blood said I was "close to the end".  I told her that we were here till January 6th.  She said I only had two weeks left.  I was shocked.  She said they wanted to try and get us home before Christmas.  I didn't want to get my hopes up until it came from the doctor's mouth.  And sure enough, the doctor agreed.  Dr. Shafey booked my bone marrow aspirate for next Tuesday, and then on the 20th, we would get the results.  If all is clear.....WE CAN GO HOME!!!  I couldn't believe it.  

Now having that news sink in a bit, I am so excited and overwhelmed.  I can't believe we are two weeks away from putting this journey behind us.  God is so good and has blessed us so much during this time here.  I am very happy and cannot wait to be home and tuck my kids into their own beds.

Sarah

Cael, sitting up!

Kurt and his boys

Kurt with his boys and the Blais girls. 

Three of the sisters.

Cael and Aunt Erica

Go Oilers!

Proudly wearing Uncle Colins jersey

Sarah feeding her lil boy

Yummy sweet potatoes

Linden and Oma

Just a normal Sunday at Opa and Oma's

Quinn celebrating a dominant Candy Land victory!

Sarah's Dilemna

Hello Everybody,

The past few days were pretty uneventful.  We spent time at the apartment, and also went out for a drive on Wednesday.  Things are starting to drag on as we both want to return home so bad.  Sarah is definitely feeling better these days, and as she feels better the desire to return home increases.  We both miss our boys like crazy, and it seems like each day it intensifies.


We went to the clinic this morning, and blood was drawn and two units of fluid went in.  Sarah watched Oceans 12 and I read The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, because my dad is making me!  Sarah's weight went up a tiny bit (I think) which is good, drinking is also going pretty good.  The blood results came back and we were told her Platelets as well as her hemoglobin had dropped again.  Her platelets are down to 33(ish).  We were once again told that this is due to the cyclosporin, which they reduced a little bit early this week.  It is late now so the cyclosporin level for today was fine.  The low platelets just means Sarah has to be careful not to be cut or bruised, they should go up on their own once the cyclosporin is stopped.

Sarah seems to be doing a little better each day, her energy level seems good and her strength also seems to be improving.  We hope to have an enjoyable weekend!

K