Rob got word this morning that his white blood cells were at .2 today!!  They were waiting for them to rise above 0 because when they did that means that the medication and treatment he has been receiving has been successful at tricking his body into creating new white blood cells!!  MS free white blood cells!!  MS FREE WHITE BLOOD CELLS!!  Rob’s body is producing healthy, clean white blood cells!  We are still trying to process this emotional journey!  Since Rob is showing signs of success with the treatment Dr. Burt thought that tomorrow would likely be the day he was released and the Nurse Prariotioner would be by at the end of the day to chat.  I flew to Chicago today knowing Rob would be released in the next few days and planning to travel home with him.  I checked into the hotel and got up to the hospital around 3 pm.  It was around 4:30 when Kate, the Nurse Practitioner walked in and told us we were discharged and free to leave!  What a great surprise!  Rob was so excited to get out of his quarantine cell of a hospital room that he has been in for 2 weeks!  They removed the line from his arm, which was amazing to see when it was out!  Then we packed up and headed out!  Rob has to wear a mask in public.  We went for burgers and milkshakes tonight, his first good meal that didn’t come on a hospital tray!  We walked around a bit, stopped and bought a container of purell and we are just enjoying the freedom!  Since Rob was part of a study he will have a 6 month follow up, and then a yearly follow up for 5 years.  He will have blood tests at home once a week to check his number and those will be sent back to Dr. Burt to monitor to ensure that he is still on track!