Hello dear friends and family!

Last week we waited with baited breath for the results of mom's CMV test to see if we were going to get to go home.  She had labs on Wednesday and they called us on Thursday stating that they wouldn't know until Friday what the results would be.  We were so on edge wondering what the results were going to be.  Late on Thursday night she received a message from My Chart that results were in.  Her CMV level went from the 500's to the 100's.  Unfortunately, we didn't know how low it had to be in order to go home.  We thought that was a good sign though.  It was a sleepless night as you can well imagine!  We went to the the appointment and got the great news that we could be discharged IF we could get an appointment with her primary Oncologist for the following week.  There was no way we weren't going to have an appointment if I had anything to say about it, and enlisted in my sister's help if I couldn't get the office to call me back.  Fortunately, they were very timely in getting back to us and we got our appointment!  We made a mad rush to clean our apartment and get everything packed and by Saturday morning we were outta there!

It was a sweet homecoming for mom.  My dad was ecstatic, the dog was excited and it was wonderful to see my sister and one of the grandsons.  (The others have been a little sick but will visit soon).  It has been a transition for mom and a little overwhelming.  Lots of unpacking, mountains of paperwork to go through, and just trying to get back into the groove.  We had the first appointment today with her primary oncologist and it went really well.  They will see her weekly and monitor her lab work.  Really nothing else until April when they will restage her Myeloma and decide on the follow up treatment.  I will be flying home back to my family on Thursday.  On one hand I am so excited and ready to be home, on the other hand it will be so hard to leave my mom.  We've been joined at the hip for 4 months.  I will continue to come back frequently as I can but all the day to day will be taken care of by her and my dad.  Overall she is doing so good.  She is walking more all the time but the restrictions frustrate her.  The isolation as well.  The first 3 months are the most pivotal as her immune system recovers.  She can go out sparingly, but no crowds and not when things are busy.  

Prayer Requests:  That she stays healthy!  That she will adjust to being at home with my dad and they will manage without killing each other (haha!)  My sister is here to help as well which I am so grateful for.  That she will continue to regain her strength and decrease fatigue.  Pray for my homecoming.  I haven't worked in 4 months and it will be hard to go back to the craziness at work and just reacclimating to home life.  Help me to give up the reins to my mom, dad and sister.  I am a caregiver at heart and it is going to be a tough transition for me.  

On another note, check out the picture of the ring.  To commemorate her "rebirth" stem cell transplant, mom wanted something special to remind her of this journey and how God has carried her through this.  Some people get a tattoo, a special tee-shirt or sweatshirt.  Mom found a gorgeous ruby ring in a Seattle vintage jewelry shop.  Now anyone who knows my mom would know she is not an extravagant person.  But this ring just spoke to her.  That is what she chose to remember this journey that she has been on.  It's from the early 1900's and really beautiful, just like her spirit!  

This will be my last update.  Please feel free to contact mom by phone or email (vikkihall@msn.com).  Thank you, dear ones, for sharing the journey with us.  You have been a blessing to both of us.  God knew exactly what we needed and we needed all your thoughts, prayers and well wishes when we were at our lowest.  Thank you for walking with us.  God bless you all!--Lara