Journal entry by Todd Olin —
Here we are at Day +16 after the bone marrow transplant. A series of miracles have occurred in Zac's life. When i arrived in Grand Rapids last Friday evening, he was receiving an IV blood transfusion because the chemo, still i his system, was still killing the white and red blood cells. Saturday and Sunday were the most difficult days for Zac. Between his body fighting to graft the bone marrow transplant, and the pile of meds the Dr's had him on, he was sick, dizzy, weak, in a great deal of pain and had a raw throat (due to the mucusitis and chemo basically buring his throat).
He turned the corner from Sunday night and Monday morning. His blood counts were rising consistently and by Monday night, he was able to hold conversations and we could see glimpses of our Zac. He was recovering right in front of my our eyes. The Dr's began talking about discharge if his blood counts continued to climb AND THEY DID.
They scheduled him for discharge yesterday afternoon. They packed him up with about 12 different types of meds, the IV port still installed in his chest, and provided home care directions. By the time he was discharged, he was happy, walking, talking and was MORE than ready to get out of there.
One of the most encouraging things was his best, life-long friend Brandon came to town the night before and surprised at the hospital and helped him get discharged. What a display of friendship! indescribable !!!!
Zac has a ways to go, but he is #olinstrong and will make it through whatever challenges face him from here on out! I couldn't be more proud ! He faced leukemia with strength, grace and courage. With the help of the Dr's and nurses, we can report he is "grafted" and is on the road to recovery.
I love you Zac. You are my best friend and always will be. I am going to discontinue these journals at this point, but if anything changes, I will shoot out an update.
Thank you to all those that hung in there, provided words of encouragement and well wishes. That young man is loved and he is surrounded by caring, loving people. Thank you!
He turned the corner from Sunday night and Monday morning. His blood counts were rising consistently and by Monday night, he was able to hold conversations and we could see glimpses of our Zac. He was recovering right in front of my our eyes. The Dr's began talking about discharge if his blood counts continued to climb AND THEY DID.
They scheduled him for discharge yesterday afternoon. They packed him up with about 12 different types of meds, the IV port still installed in his chest, and provided home care directions. By the time he was discharged, he was happy, walking, talking and was MORE than ready to get out of there.
One of the most encouraging things was his best, life-long friend Brandon came to town the night before and surprised at the hospital and helped him get discharged. What a display of friendship! indescribable !!!!
Zac has a ways to go, but he is #olinstrong and will make it through whatever challenges face him from here on out! I couldn't be more proud ! He faced leukemia with strength, grace and courage. With the help of the Dr's and nurses, we can report he is "grafted" and is on the road to recovery.
I love you Zac. You are my best friend and always will be. I am going to discontinue these journals at this point, but if anything changes, I will shoot out an update.
Thank you to all those that hung in there, provided words of encouragement and well wishes. That young man is loved and he is surrounded by caring, loving people. Thank you!
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