Day Plus 15-Discharge Day August 3rd

Today is the day Becky and I have been waiting for.  Over 3 weeks ago I checked into the Stanford hospital on Tuesday July 11. On Wednesday July 19, I received my bone marrow transplant. Today, on Thursday August 3, I get to check out about a week earlier than expected because of my improved counts.White blood cells are at 1.9. Platelets are at 259,000. Hemoglobin is at 8.7. And ANC (Average Neutrophil Count) is at 1.41. While the doctors can marvel at how my body has responded and recovered so quickly, all I can say is To God Be the Glory (Becky got me this shirt by the way as discharge gift). As I look back at all that I have gone through over this past year, and especially these past 3 weeks, I cannot help but give thanks to God both amidst times of trial and amidst times of joy. He is the one who has preserved both me and Becky throughout everything and continues to fulfill His purposes through me in my weakness.

Psalm 138

I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart;
    before the gods I sing your praise;
² I bow down toward your holy temple
    and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness,
    for you have exalted above all things
    your name and your word.
³ On the day I called, you answered me;
    my strength of soul you increased.

⁴ All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O Lord,
    for they have heard the words of your mouth,
⁵ and they shall sing of the ways of the Lord,
    for great is the glory of the Lord.
⁶ For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly,
    but the haughty he knows from afar.

⁷ Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
    you preserve my life;
you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies,
    and your right hand delivers me.
⁸ The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;
    your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.
    Do not forsake the work of your hands.

I cannot say that everything went as expected this day. I woke up in the middle of the night to my roomie, Big Country, getting out of bed to set off his bed alarm numerous times. He sounded belligerent as he began to reject medical care from his nurses as they sought to give him medication and check his vitals. He kept asking for the head nurse and eventually to speak to the head doctor when he came in the morning. After I took a shower that morning, I exited my bathroom to find a team of nurses and the head doctor speaking to him very seriously to try to find out what was going on in his head. He was 5 days away from being discharged, but had apparently just lost it. I sat there for a few seconds, thinking how really awkward this was just being behind the curtain. One of the nurses asked if I could just step outside for a little bit. That was the last time I set foot in my room. I spent the entire the morning and early afternoon hanging out in the conference room, which was actually very comfortable. The nurses brought all my belongings in the room so I could pack. The physical therapist, pharmacist, nurses, and social workers all gave me their discharge instructions in the conference room. What a way to cap off my stay. I was very, very happy to get out of there.

Becky had a car load full of our stuff that she was able to drop off at the new apartment, 8 miles away. She then came back to pick me up and the rest of my belongings. As I left that afternoon, there was no fanfare, no balloons, no cheering. Just a few quaint goodbyes to the nurses and nurses assistants who helped take care of me. I was rolled out in a wheel chair along with my luggage by several gentlemen out to the fountain where Becky was waiting. I couldn't believe it. Sunlight, fresh air, and freedom. God is good. We drove 8 miles to Mountain View going down El Camino Real to see the new place. I loved it.