Kristine is being discharged from the medical center today and checking into the Tiverton House. She's very excited to be leaving the hospital today. She was going stir crazy!
There was a teaching session this morning on how to care for Kristine and what precautions we need to take, when to know to bring her back into the hospital, what she can and can't eat, where she can and can't go, etc. Basically, we have to care for her as if she is a newborn baby. This is why they called her transplant day her second birthday. Kristine is technically only 17 days old today.
Basically, if we wouldn't do, give, feed, or expose something to a 17 day old baby, then we shouldn't let Kristine do, have, eat or expose her to it. This includes alcohol, OTC meds, direct sunlight with no sunscreen for extended periods of time, crowded (germ infested) areas, playing in the dirt, trips to Disneyland, fast food, soda fountain drinks, swimming, and driving. She is also not allowed to floss her teeth, use a tooth pick, visit the dentist for any cleanings or dental work, and must stay clear of babies and adults who have been vaccinated within the past 4 weeks for with live viruses which include the chicken pox, varicella, rotovirus and the flu mist.
Kristine will have a suppressed immune system for about a year. She must take all her prescribed meds on schedule and not miss any doses. The goal is to get her off all transplant meds from 6 months to a year. She will have regular clinic appointments where she will have her blood drawn and, for now, monthly bone marrow biopsies. We must check her temperature at least twice a day and be cognizant of any symptoms that will require her to be taken back to the hospital. (i.e. fevers, shaking chills, uncontrollable bleeding, vomiting or diarrhea)
We must also be aware of the signs of the dreadful graft vs host disease (GVHD). Sun exposure may cause GVHD which is why she must wear sunscreen on exposed areas of her skin and wide-brimmed hats when outdoors. If Kristine were to develop GVHD or some other type of infection, it is possible she would have to be re-admitted to the hospital, then re-released to the Tiverton House. So our mission is the follow the guidelines which have been presented to ensure Kristine stays healthy.
As Kristine embarks on this next chapter in her life, please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. Personally, I would like to keep visitors at a minimum until Kristine's immune system is stronger. Even though her blood levels are beginning to reach normal levels, she is on transplant meds which keep her immune system suppressed so as to allow the stem cells to graft. Please feel free to contact her via email, facebook, cell phone, text message or via this blog. Keep in mind Kristine sleeps quite a bit more than most of us, a lot like a newborn baby. She tires easily and therefore may not return calls or messages in a timely manner.
As always... plenty of positive thoughts and prayers are appreciated!
Oh, I almost forgot to mention... Kristine was totally bummed to learn her beautiful, long eyelashes recently fell out. She never looks at herself in the mirror, so she had no idea. Dave kept looking at her wondering what was different about her, then realized her eyelashes were gone. She has also started losing her eyebrows. Nevertheless, be it as it may, as long as she beats this disease she doesn't care. She wants to get home to be with her babies, she wants to get back to her family and friends, she wants to LIVE, hair or no hair, as long as she's healthy.
I personally would like to extend a huge cyberhug to Dick and Teri Shoup, their three girls, Chelsea, Katrina and Nikki, Nikki's boyfriend, Rob, Jon Fondersmith and Julie Gibson for their kind words and donations this past weekend at the annual Fondersmith Family Reunion. Kristine was touched by your warmth and generosity, as was I. I love you all!!
God bless all our prayer warriors out there doing a fantastic job helping Kristine to such a speedy recovery! Our family cannot thank you enough.
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