Journal entry by Kim Cooke —
Chip and I want to thank everyone for ALL their kindnesses, prayers, thoughtful words and ultimate support.
Erin did a beautiful job of keeping you all up to date on Chip's progress throughout this journey.
Chip was released on Friday, April 27th. He needed several goals in order to be released.
1. no fever - CHECK
2. to be able to drink at least 2 liters of water a day - CHECK (He was drinking 8 small bottles of water a day)
3. to be able to walk on his own (to the bathroom) - CHECK (he was walking at least a mile a day!)
PLUS his blood numbers needed to be on the rise - WBC - 2.2, Hemoblobin - 10.0, Platelets - 92 - CHECK, CHECK, CHECK!!!
He needed the port/pick-line in his arm to be pulled and wrapped.
So, with a box of face masks and a fistful of surgical gloves we loaded the car and headed home!!!
It was glorious to have him home and resting on the sofa or up in bed!!
The first week was slow and steady.
We would walk every day, about a mile loop around a few blocks in the neighborhood...then we started walking that loop TWICE in a day. - slow and steady...
He started eating those smaller meals 5 times a day to start to get his weight back up...slow and steady.
He had a follow-up Dr apt. back at Jefferson the following Thursday along with the bloodwork that was amazing!
WBC - 4.0
Hemoblobin - 13.3
Platelets - 443
AWESOME!!!
Dr. Carabassi told us he's doing so well, that he wants to see him in FIVE WEEKS!!
We are continuing the walking routine and the meal-plan - still SLOW and STEADY!!!
We have been blessed with a new lease on life and so grateful for the care at Jefferson, the talent of the doctors and compassion and patience of the staff of the BMT Unit on the 14th Floor, the neverending positive messages and thoughts of family and friends and the amazing power of prayer and the beauty of the body to re-boot itself!!!
We will continue to update this site when necessary, but at this point in time, it's a waiting game to gain strength and stamina (and weight), to keep the numbers on the rise and to gradually start to venture outside of the house and into the world!!!
Thank you, Dear Friends, for ALL your support...we felt your concern and love
Erin did a beautiful job of keeping you all up to date on Chip's progress throughout this journey.
Chip was released on Friday, April 27th. He needed several goals in order to be released.
1. no fever - CHECK
2. to be able to drink at least 2 liters of water a day - CHECK (He was drinking 8 small bottles of water a day)
3. to be able to walk on his own (to the bathroom) - CHECK (he was walking at least a mile a day!)
PLUS his blood numbers needed to be on the rise - WBC - 2.2, Hemoblobin - 10.0, Platelets - 92 - CHECK, CHECK, CHECK!!!
He needed the port/pick-line in his arm to be pulled and wrapped.
So, with a box of face masks and a fistful of surgical gloves we loaded the car and headed home!!!
It was glorious to have him home and resting on the sofa or up in bed!!
The first week was slow and steady.
We would walk every day, about a mile loop around a few blocks in the neighborhood...then we started walking that loop TWICE in a day. - slow and steady...
He started eating those smaller meals 5 times a day to start to get his weight back up...slow and steady.
He had a follow-up Dr apt. back at Jefferson the following Thursday along with the bloodwork that was amazing!
WBC - 4.0
Hemoblobin - 13.3
Platelets - 443
AWESOME!!!
Dr. Carabassi told us he's doing so well, that he wants to see him in FIVE WEEKS!!
We are continuing the walking routine and the meal-plan - still SLOW and STEADY!!!
We have been blessed with a new lease on life and so grateful for the care at Jefferson, the talent of the doctors and compassion and patience of the staff of the BMT Unit on the 14th Floor, the neverending positive messages and thoughts of family and friends and the amazing power of prayer and the beauty of the body to re-boot itself!!!
We will continue to update this site when necessary, but at this point in time, it's a waiting game to gain strength and stamina (and weight), to keep the numbers on the rise and to gradually start to venture outside of the house and into the world!!!
Thank you, Dear Friends, for ALL your support...we felt your concern and love
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