I’m sitting in the San Jose airport waiting to fly back to Missouri after three months with Matt and Mike. I’m afraid I can’t stop crying - this is one of the most difficult goodbyes I have ever made. But Matt is doing well and Mike started FMLA yesterday, ready to take over as Matt continues to heal. I’m so glad that I was there to see Matt come home after a long and difficult hospital recovery following his transplant. As one of Matt’s doctors told him, you expect complications after a transplant - just not every complication. While he may have been exaggerating, it wasn’t far from the truth.
Many people have helped in many ways over the last three months especially Mike, who put up with his mom and her sister moving in with him and shuttled us all over the Bay Area; my sister, Darcy, who came immediately after a phone call during a low moment and provided never-failing support and positivity; the rest of my incredible family who provided love and support on a continuous, as-needed basis; Matt and Mike’s dad who was here during a very difficult time of his own; my husband who supported me emotionally throughout; the people at work who made it possible for me to be here; the countless readers of CB who provided messages of support; the amazing team of health care workers at UCSF and now at Kaiser Permanente - Santa Clara; and finally the family of Matt’s donor who gave the greatest gift they could and made this journey possible. We are so grateful.
