Day 7 at Home - Kathleen has been home for a week now and is doing well.   We had our first post discharge checkup today and everything looked great.  To help build her strength and counteract the "chemo-fatigue" she is staying hydrated and diligently exercising with long walks usually followed by long naps.  Dr. Sarah has even allowed ONE glass of wine per day which Kathleen thoughtfully consumes with pairings for dinners. 

The next major milestone in this journey is Nov. 5, 2020 which will be Day 100 post Stem Cell Transplant.   The docs all say, that's when we will know that this was officially all worth it and the multiple myeloma is either gone or so beaten into submission that it won't come back. 

So, this seems like the logical last journal entry for Kathleen's journey. It's been fun and meaningful to share the ups and downs.  Kathleen has been a real warrior with a huge positive attitude which we believe will pay off.

On behalf of Caring Bridge, thank you to those of you who made a tribute contribution.  Your generosity will help others through their journey as well.  Thanks to the Docs: Nishan Tchekmedyian, our Irvine Oncologist and Sarah Larsen and Patty Young (our UCLA Doc Duo) for their expert skill and guidance.  And thanks to the team of nurses, social workers and technicians who made all the SCT magic happen flawlessly.   Damn good showing by all those Bruins. 

And thank you most of all to our friends and family who read these journal entries, made comments, uploaded files, cracked jokes and let Kathleen know that she is loved. 

We will miss this but feel free to reach out by text, email or phone to Kathleen at home.

Marc & Kathleen